STUDENT AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT (2025-2026) 20 glazed cinnamon rolls, vegetable edamame potstickers, turkey melt sliders, and White Castle® Cheeseburgers. Just Baked accepts credit cards, Flex, and Thunder Bucks. The Great Plains East lobby is open to the entire campus community, making it easy to swing by between classes or meetings for a quick, delicious bite. This addition supports the university’s ongoing commitment to elevating the Northern Experience through modern, accessible dining options. Dining Services continues to expand offerings across campus, including the Wolves Den and Einstein Bros.® Bagels in the Student Center, the Grid Market featuring Created with Love, and now the Just Baked Smart Bistro in Great Plains East. The launch of 24‑hour access to freshly baked items through Just Baked also fulfills Key Result 176 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025–30) strengthening student services and enhancing campus life. CELEBRATING NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH Spring 2026 - Northern State University celebrated National Disability Awareness Month for the first time in many years, marking an important milestone in the university's ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and student success. As part of Key Result 64 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025-30), Student Affairs and Student Accessibility Services organized a series of educational programs and awareness campaigns designed to increase understanding of disability issues, promote accessible practices, and strengthen Northern's culture of belonging. The month began with two interactive events held in the Student Center Mall. In Their Shoes: Disability Awareness, hosted in partnership with School of Education student organizations, encouraged students, faculty, and staff to explore the experiences of individuals with disabilities and reflect on the importance of inclusion. Later in the month, Open Access: Technology and Public Spaces, presented in partnership with the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SDSBVI), showcased assistive technologies and highlighted how accessible design can enhance learning, engagement, and participation for all members of the campus community. In addition to student-focused programming, National Disability Awareness Month emphasized practical steps faculty, staff, and student organization leaders can take to create more welcoming and accessible events. One featured program, Beyond the Microphone: Using Assistive Listening Devices to Make Your Event More Welcoming, provided hands-on training on the use of assistive listening devices (ALDs) and campus microphone systems. Led by Cassandra Maillet, Keith Griebel, and Sean Blackburn, the session introduced participants to accessibility resources available across campus and reinforced the importance of considering hearing accessibility when planning meetings, presentations, and events. The month also highlighted the critical role that campus infrastructure plays in supporting accessibility. Student Accessibility Services partnered with Facilities Management to promote awareness of the university's automatic door opener maintenance process. Community members were encouraged to report malfunctioning door openers through a dedicated work order system, helping ensure that students, employees, and visitors could reliably access campus facilities. The
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