Pictured: Front row: Hsa Law Eh; Christine Garcia; Christen Kessler (holding NSU flag); Lennon Keller. Middle row: Chloe Carroll; Eh Poh; Nei Htoo; Colton Wicks; Kayla Natoli; Courtney Olson; Ella Kasuske; Izzy Hoiland; Maray Larson. Back row: Kinze Stradtman; Mackenzie Reiser; Josh Martin; Jon Burkhalter; Cadin Kallenberger; Shaylee Conner.
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University students learned about career opportunities, experienced a different culture, and participated in a service project as well as additional cultural enrichment activities during a recent trip led by TRIO Student Support Services.
Northern’s TRIO SSS program led 19 NSU students on a trip to Minneapolis in March. As part of the trip, students attended a Minnesota Timberwolves game and toured the Target Center.
“The NBA game provided the opportunity to see the many facets of media, marketing and sports medicine throughout the game, which showed students the various opportunities in which they could apply their degrees,” said TRIO SSS Director Kerry Casper. “Prior to the game, students had the opportunity to tour the arena and engage in a question-and-answer session with account executives with the Timberwolves organization to hear about how they started their careers in the sports and entertainment industry.”
The top two experiences of the trip were a visit to the Mall of America, which was a first-time experience for many students, as well as a service project.
Of the MOA experience, NSU freshman Courtney Olson said, "I loved this part of the trip, especially for those who may not have ever been there before!"
The group also volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. While volunteering, the group helped pack 134 boxes. This amounts to 28,944 meals, and 79 children fed for a year.
"This was definitely the highlight of my trip,” Olson said of the service project. “It for sure made me feel like I made a huge difference in the world in such a small amount of time."
Junior Cole Holmes said, "This was fun. I enjoyed the work of the team!"
Sophomore Jon Burkhalter added, "This was an awesome experience—definitely the highlight of my trip!"
Students also attended the Broadway Musical, “Tina!” at the Orpheum Theater. Casper said this provided students with the understanding of elite career opportunities in musical theater and production. It also exposed them to the importance of Black History and Women’s History, and covered themes of parenting and family; ambition; discrimination and race; being an active bystander; determination and resilience; and racial discrimination before and after the Civil Rights movement.
“Overall, the trip provided students with experiences that would enhance their knowledge in the following areas: Global hunger issues and food insecurities in children; large scale and elite career opportunities; and navigating a metropolitan area,” Casper said.
The full list of NSU students participating in the Minneapolis trip were:
? Hsa Law Eh, of Aberdeen, S.D.
? Christine Garcia, of Aberdeen, S.D.
? Cole Holmes, of Aberdeen, S.D.
? Nei Htoo, Aberdeen, S.D.
? Josh Martin, of Aberdeen, S.D.
? Isabelle Hoiland, of Brandon, S.D.
? Chloe Carroll, of Castlewood, S.D.
? Courtney Olson, of Ellendale, N.D.
? Kinze Stradtman, of Fairmont, Minn.
? Eh Poh, of Huron, S.D.
? Cadin Kallenberger, of Leola, S.D.
? Ella Kasuske, of Milbank, S.D.
? Colton Wicks, of Nunda, S.D.
? Mckenzie Reiser, of Oakes, N.D.
? Jon Burkhalter, of Prairie City, S.D.
? Lennon Keller, of Sioux Falls, S.D.
? Christen Kessler, of Sioux Falls, S.D.
? Maray Larson, of Webster, S.D.
? Kayla Natoli, of Winner, S.D.
Northern's TRIO SSS program serves students who meet U.S. Department of Education requirements, and provides exceptional services to assist participants in their quest to achieve a bachelor's degree and other academic goals. Services also include academic advising, tutoring, academic and financial counseling, career exploration, leadership development, social and cultural programming, and financial assistance. Learn more at TRIO Student Support Services.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.