Ms. CarLee Mechels was named coordinator for student activities and intramurals in February 2025. She succeeds Scott Burazin, who left Northern to pursue new opportunities. Prior to joining Northern, Mechels was a special education assistant at Simmons Middle School in Aberdeen. She is an alum with a Master of Science in Education in sports performance and leadership from Northern State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in kinesiology and sport management from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where she also served as an intramural supervisor. Mechels began her duties in February 2025. Ms. Cassandra Maillet was named assistant director for student accessibility services in February 2025. She succeeds Kelly Weismantel, who transitioned to the director of counseling and health services in November. Maillet was formerly the TRIO McNair Research Coordinator, a position she has held beginning in April 2024. Prior to that, Maillet was a clinical specialist at Northeastern Mental Health Center for three years. A two-time Northern State University alum, Maillet earned a Master of Science in Education in clinical mental health counseling and Bachelor of Science in psychology. During her undergraduate and graduate programs, she also worked in Career Services and Tutoring Services, providing direct support to students. Maillet began her duties in February 2025. Ms. Emily Waldon was named residential education coordinator in March 2025. She succeeds Britt Bell, who left Northern State University in January 2024 to pursue new opportunities. Waldon is a December 2024 elementary education graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. She worked in UNI Housing beginning in fall 2022, serving in a variety of roles. She is also the recipient of the Drake Martin Gold Star Award, the highest honor for a student staff member at UNI. At Northern, Waldon works with our Community Assistants to strengthen our residential curriculum and foster growth in our Living/Learning Communities. She began her duties in March of 2025. Mr. Scott Burazin was named coordinator for student activities and intramurals in October 2024 and announced his departure to pursue new opportunities in February 2025. Burazin was formerly a live-stream camera operator for the NSPN.TV in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has a Master of Arts in sport management and Bachelor of Arts in sport management with a minor in Spanish, from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a student, Burazin held positions on the Track & Field Leadership Council and the Intramural Executive Board. Mrs. Becky Kuch (NCC, LPC-MH, LPCC), director of counseling and health services announced her departure in August 2024 to return to private practice in Aberdeen. Kuch joined the Student Affairs team in December 2022. A licensed mental health therapist with 24 years of experience, she works with individuals and couples aged 18 and older, specializing in depression, anxiety, relationships, communication, PTSD, grief, personality disorders, and stress management. She holds a Master of Science in Education in guidance and counseling and a Bachelor of Science in psychology, both from Northern State University. Ms. Lauren Berg, coordinator for student wellness and prevention, announced her departure in January 2025 after being named assistant director of the Gustavus Fund at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Berg joined the team in June of 2023 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in health promotion from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and an MBA in healthcare leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Prior to Northern, she served as the administrative assistant for the counselor education program at Viterbo University. Ms. Hannah Lopes, staff counselor in Counseling Services, announced her departure in February 2025 to pursue new opportunities. Prior to Northern, Hannah was a clinical specialist with Northeastern Mental Health Center in Aberdeen. She holds a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from South Dakota State University in Brookings and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in English from Northern State University. STUDENT AFFAIRS 6 ANNUAL REPORT Staff Transitions, continued…
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