KIESOW NAMED STUDENT AFFAIRS FACULTY PARTNER OF THE YEAR CONTINUED Her impact extends far beyond her partnership with Student Affairs. Since joining Northern in 2007, Kiesow served as a faculty member in biology, chair of science and math, director of undergraduate research, director of sponsored projects, and, for the past six years, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Throughout her career, she championed innovation and student opportunity, helping secure funding for undergraduate research, expanding faculty mentorship through the Rising Scholars program, establishing Northern’s partnership with the SDSU Accelerated Nursing Program, and playing a key leadership role in developing the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Although her contributions to Northern are far too numerous to fully capture in a single article, her commitment to students, willingness to collaborate, and steadfast belief in the power of higher education have left a lasting impact on the university. We are grateful for her partnership, proud of her accomplishments, and pleased to recognize Dr. Alyssa Kiesow as the 2025-26 Faculty Partner of the Year. ASSESSING ACCESSIBILITY THROUGH NATIONAL STANDARDS April 2026 - As part of Key Result 62 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025-30), Student Accessibility Services completed the first phase of a comprehensive program evaluation using standards developed by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). These nationally recognized standards outline best practices for supporting students with disabilities and provide a framework for assessing the effectiveness of disability services programs in higher education. In April 2026, Student Accessibility Services distributed a campuswide survey to students, faculty, deans, directors, and other stakeholders to evaluate Northern’s performance across eight key areas: consultation and collaboration, information dissemination, faculty and staff awareness, academic adjustments, counseling and self-determination, policies and procedures, program administration and evaluation, and training and professional development. The survey was designed to measure current strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and better understand campuswide accessibility needs. The completion of the survey represents an important milestone in Northern’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment. A total of 121 members of the campus community participated, including 28 or 49 deans and directors, 44 of 92 faculty members, and 49 of 172 students who receive services from Student Accessibility Services. Special thanks to Cassandra Maillet, who led this initial assessment effort and helped gather valuable feedback from the university. Data analysis and the identification of future improvement initiatives will continue during the next year. Student Accessibility Services will work with a consultant assigned through AHEAD to interpret the survey findings and identify priorities for future planning. This collaborative process will help guide strategic decisions, strengthen support services, and ensure Northern continues to remove barriers and expand opportunities for students with disabilities. Through this work, Student Accessibility Services is advancing a culture of access and inclusion that supports student success and aligns with the university’s mission and values. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Northern State University (Northern) acknowledges South Dakota as the ancestral territory of the Santee, Yankton, and Teton Lakota, which is an alliance known as the Oceti Sakowin (o-che-tee sha-koh-ween) (Seven Council Fires). Oceti Sakowin is historically known as the Sioux by non-Native people. The nine Native Nations that share the state’s geography include: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Northern State University acknowledges that before this land was called South Dakota, it was home to many Native Nations indigenous to this area. It is with profound respect that we acknowledge the indigenous peoples of this land past, present and future. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, NON-DISCRIMINATION, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION The institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents shall offer equal opportunities in employment and for access to and participation in educational, extension, and other institutional services to all persons qualified by academic preparation, experience, and ability for the various levels of employment or academic program or other institutional service, without discrimination based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status or on any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination. Student Affairs Annual Report Executive Summary 2025-26 11
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