DSU's True Trojans
August 27, 2024
Dakota State University has named several employees “True Trojans.”
Seven award categories were created in 2019 as a way for the university to acknowledge and recognize employees for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to DSU’s mission. This year, 112 employees – about one-third of the university’s workforce – were nominated for these honors.
Deb Roach, Vice President for Human Resources, noted that this level of engagement is evidence of the widespread efforts to accomplish tremendous things at Dakota State. Five awards are based on nominations from colleagues; two are student-nominated, demonstrating that employees who consistently go above and beyond, solve problems, and improve work situations also serve as role models for the student body.
The 2024 award winners include:
2023 Civil Services Association (CSA) Outstanding Contributor – Erin Kahler, Administrative Assistant II in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences
The focus of this award is to recognize a dedicated focus to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork, and professionalism while enhancing the quality of work life for colleagues. Kahler exemplifies these traits with strong communication skills, creative solutions, and virtues of reliability, perseverance, and a focus on results.
2024 Staff Outstanding Contributor (nominated by students) – A tie between two employees in Academic Support Services, Kristen Uilk, Director of Academic Support Services/Student Code of Conduct Coordinator, and Addie Borah, Professional Academic Advisor
This award recognizes staff members who contribute significantly to the quality of life for DSU students and are committed to student success. One of the students who nominated Uilk said, “Kristen genuinely cares about her students. She's the best, and she deserves recognition for what she's doing for her students.” A student who nominated Borah said, “I have never dealt with anyone more helpful than Addie. She goes above and beyond what is expected of her.”
2024 Non-Faculty Exempt (NFE) Outstanding Contributor – Kathy Engbrecht, Instructor/Retention Specialist, The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences
This award recognizes employees dedicated to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork, and professionalism. Engbrecht’s efforts impact students through refined advising resources that streamline the process for new and transfer students. Her colleagues benefit from her work because she shares her extensive knowledge to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
2024 Faculty Outstanding Contributor (nominated by students) – A tie between Dr. Cherie Noteboom, Professor in the College of Business & Information Systems, and Kindra Schneider, instructor in the College of Education & Human Performance
This award recognizes the faculty’s commitment to student success. Schneider is a beacon of support and encouragement, wrote one of the students who nominated her. “She has a way to highlight each individual students’ talents as a way to show her belief in all her students.” Noteboom’s genuine desire for student success is unmatched, read one of her nomination letters. Another stated, “She is the 'Go to Person' for any students who need some guidance and some advice.”
2024 Emerging Leader – Dr. Fenecia Homan, Dean of the Governors Cyber Academy and K-12 Initiatives
This award recognizes an employee with fewer than five years of service to DSU who has made a unique, significant contribution not only to embracing the spirit of the university, but also providing superb service and fostering interdepartmental relationships. Homan’s integrity, commitment, humility, competence, and character have earned her the coveted trust and respect necessary to be an outstanding leader and colleague, wrote her nominator.
2024 Outstanding Leadership – Sierra Heppler, Director of Institutional Research
This award recognizes an employee who embodies exceptional leadership by building community, nurturing a culture of care and support, exhibiting strong stewardship of institutional resources, and developing a shared vision of institutional excellence that allows everyone to feel they have a purpose in the organization. Heppler’s nomination letter included many examples of how she is resourceful, thoughtful, a team-builder, and focused on finding solutions.
2024 Team of the Year – College of Education & Human Performance
This award recognizes a team that exemplifies collaboration, cooperation, communication, trust, and respect. The College was nominated for its efforts with the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway program, which provides paraprofessionals the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
“They capitalized on [the teacher shortage] crisis and ended up creating a life-changing opportunity for paraprofessionals across South Dakota,” read the nomination letter. “Our friends in [the College of Education & Human Performance] have set a standard for how to turn a crisis into a win.”
The presentations took place at the 2024 Welcome and University Address on August 19.