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Amy Crissinger
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Department
Admissions
Education
M.S., Strategic Leadership, Black Hills State University
B.S., Marketing, Dakota State University
Biography
Amy Crissinger started at DSU in August of 1992 as an Admissions Counselor. She was promoted to the Director of Admission in 1999 and then, soon after, became the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. As the Associate VP for Enrollment Management, she’s responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of undergraduates at DSU. She develops annual and strategic enrollment plans in collaboration with the academic and student affairs departments, as well as the marketing and athletics departments, and the DSU Foundation. She also partners with online education, international programs, graduate programs, and ITS to implement recruitment systems and enrollment databases.
Amy graduated from DSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a marketing specialization. She also holds an MS in Strategic Leadership from Black Hills State University.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: 605-256-5696
Email
Amber Schmidt
Assistant Director of Admissions
Department
Admissions
Biography
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD – Roosevelt High School
College: Dakota State University - 2008
Major: Computer Graphic Design
Why did you choose DSU? I chose DSU because I wanted to be close to home and I was looking for a school where I wouldn’t get lost in the crowd and feel like I was valued. I also couldn’t beat the value/cost of a DSU education anywhere else.
Favorite DSU experience? My favorite part of my college experience at DSU was the people I met. I have made friends that I will cherish forever, met my husband,
College was an amazing experience and was some of the best years of my life so far.
Five Interesting Things About Me:
- I love being active in sports, and played for our DSU Trojan softball team.
- I take dressing up for Halloween super serious.
- Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands to listen to. I love me some good classic rock music.
- I have a husband, a son, and a large dog named Hank.
- Thin crust pepperoni, black & green olive pizza is the best pizza on the planet.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: 605-256-5079
Email
Austin Slaughter
Veteran Affairs Coordinator
Department
Veteran Affairs
Biography
Hometown: Madison, SD
College: Dakota State University ’09 Alumni
Major: Computer Graphic Design
Why did you choose DSU?
At the time I was looking at what college best fit me, DSU was just getting ready to make the transition to where every student on campus would receive a tablet computer with the cost of education. Other schools I had looked at were not anywhere close on the technology side that DSU was going to offer. I also wanted to run track in college, and through DSU I was going to be able to do so. The small classes and campus really fit well with me. I also wanted a school that I was going to be able to change majors if needed and not have to transfer to another university. DSU offered both majors I was interested in; Exercise Science & Computer Graphic Design.
Favorite DSU experience?
My favorite DSU experience was the fact that my best friend that I met in college and I actually met for the first time at a DSU registration day and later ended up being roommates the last 3 years of school.
Five Interesting Things About Me:
- My wife’s name is Leslie, step-son Treyton, and a daughter Emma.
- I have been deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- I have been a member of the SD Army National Guard for 10 years.
- I am a 2 time High School State Champion in the 4x200m Relay.
- I enjoy traveling (overseas trips: 3 personal, 2 military)
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: 605-256-5742
Email
Bailee Matucha
Admissions Specialist
Department
Admissions
Biography
Recruiting Territory: Central SD, North Dakota, Nebraska
Hometown: Burke, SD- Burke High School
College: Dakota State University - 2019
Major: General Studies
Minor: Sociology
Why did you choose DSU? I chose DSU because of the size. I come from a small town and I knew I didn’t want to go to a big university. Here at DSU they will know you by name and not just a number. As a student, I loved the one-on-one time that I needed with a professor to get the education that I needed.
Favorite DSU experience? My favorite experience at DSU was being a Go! Leader. Helping move freshman and transfers in I met some of my best friends. It is awesome to connect with the new students that will help shape DSU.
Five Interesting Things About Me:
- I grew up on a family farm in Burke, SD, but I am afraid of chickens.
- I was in 4-H for 9 years, shown cattle for all those years and now an active volunteer.
- I am the oldest of 5, 3 sisters and 1 brother.
- My favorite colors are purple and blue.
- When it comes to eating any kind of candy I don’t like to eat the yellow ones.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: 605-256-5109
Email
Website
Samantha Heap
Admissions Specialist
Department
Admissions
Biography
Recruiting Territory: Minnesota, Iowa, Madison and Sioux Falls, SD
Hometown: Sioux Falls
College: Augustana University
Major: Interdepartmental (Business Management, Fitness Management, Sports Management)
Five interesting things about me?
- I have Dual Citizenship with Canada.
- I am the oldest, yet the smallest sibling, my younger brother is 6”7”.
- I have a 2 year old German Shepard name Jasper.
- My favorite animal is an Elephant.
- I sang the National Anthem at a San Diego Padres baseball game in 2014.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: (605) 256-5741
Email
Rose O'Brien
Campus Visit Coordinator
Department
Admissions
Education
BS, Consumer Affairs with a business minor – SDSU
Biography
Territory: Western South Dakota
Hometown: Midland, SD- I love to crochet, sew and cook.
- I went to a country school from Kindergarten to 7th grade.
- My 3 kids all have different hair colors: I have a brunette, a blonde and a red head. Genetics are strange.
- Karaoke is my favorite.
- My husband’s birthday is the day before mine, which is also my dog’s birthday.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: (605) 256-5145
Email
Website
Micah Brandsrud
Admissions Specialist
Department
Admissions
Biography
Recruiting Territory: Eastern SD
Hometown: Huron, SD
College: Black Hills State University- 2020
Major: Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management.
Five Interesting Things About Me:
- I’ve visited 39 U.S states and 11 National Parks.
- I worked as a summer camp counselor for 4 summers in the Black Hills.
- I backpacked 54 miles in 4 days in Glacier National Park, Montana.
- I won Mr. Congeniality at a High School pageant fundraiser.
- I played piano for 8 years and percussion for 7 years.
Contact
Office Location: Heston Hall
Phone: (605) 256-5142
Email
Nicole Claussen
Director of International Programs
Department
International Programs
Contact
Office Location: Learning Engagement Center
Phone: 605-256-5744
Email
Amber Alfson
Senior Secretary
Department
International Programs
Contact
Office Location: Learning Engagement Center
Phone: 605-256-5267
Email