STUDENT AFFAIRS 23 ANNUAL REPORT health resources on campus and worked to destigmatize help-seeking behaviors. He led the effort to institute and emceed the first New Student Convocation. Blackburn enjoyed serving on the Presidential Investiture Committee that formally installed Neal H. Schnoor, Ph.D., as the 18th President of Northern State University. Blackburn created the fall 2021 and spring 2022 “COVID-19 Frameworks” that strategically guided Northern’s return to normal operations post-pandemic. Blackburn initiated Free Speech Week at Northern and organized multiple Salvation Army Mobile Markets and Pantries to help food insecure students. With the arrival President Schnoor in July of 2021, Blackburn led Student Affairs through a strategic plan update that expanded the plans impact in support of students and involved stakeholders from across campus. With Megan Frewaldt, Blackburn co-presented “Providing Feedback” at the 2022 South Dakota Higher Education Association (SDHEA) Annual Fall Conference. As Dean of Students, Blackburn serves on the Executive Leadership Team (formerly Senior Cabinet), the South Dakota Board of Regents, Student Affairs Council, and chairs Northern’s Student Affairs Council. Ashley M. Bruzek, Acting Assistant Director for Student Involvement and Leadership, graduated with her Bachelor’s in Banking and Financial Services this May. She is currently working on her Master’s in Banking and Financial Services here at Northern State University. She was elected the 2021 Homecoming Queen and selected as the 2022 Student Leader of the Year. Bruzek served as a city chaperone for Minnesota Girls State in June 2022. Bruzek served on the Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs hiring committee and was selected for the Disney Leadership Experience through Paradigm shift. She also attended NACA in Minneapolis, Minn., and the NACA Summer Series Programming Board Basics Week online. Bruzek was featured in the “Be Northern” series and served the Campus Activity Board (CAB) as Treasurer during the academic year. Megan J. Frewaldt, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, was the Criterion Five Co-Chair for the HLC Year Four Assurance Review Committee, Co-Chair of the Move-In Welcome Committee, and Chair of the Student Involvement Committee, HOWL Planning Committee, and Homecoming Administrative Committee. Frewaldt serves on the NSU Assessment Committee, Athletics Committee, First Year Seminar Committee, and Staff Senate Working Group. This past year, Frewaldt presented at the 2022 South Dakota Higher Education Association Annual Conference. Frewaldt attended the 2021 COPLAC Annual Meeting, 2022 National Student Leadership Diversity Convention, 2022 Assessment Institute, and 2022 NACA Summer Series on Student Government Association. Frewaldt participated in on-going DiversiTea: Difficult Conversations with NACA and Region V Meetings with NODA. Frewaldt completed training in Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students and the Applying & Leading Assessment in Student Affairs course. Frewaldt presented Monthly Mindfulness for Avera Addictions Care and completed a 200hour yoga teacher training. In her free-time, Frewaldt serves as a Team Lead for the United Way Allocations Committee and teaches mindfulness and yoga in the community. Ms. Melanie Hogg, Director of Dining Services with Sodexo Campus, transitioned from Aramark Higher Education in May of 2022 to continue to serve at Northern. Jerilyn K. Mielke, Senior Secretary in Student Affairs, was trained in the 605 Strong Behavioral Health Voucher Program (BHVP) and was nominated for the Student Services Award at the 2022 Employee Awards Luncheon. Jerilyn coordinated the spring 2022 space allocation updates and will begin her 30th year at Northern this August. Professional highlights, continued…
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