Dean of Students

2023 Excellence Winners.

 

Brailynn DeMers.
Brailynn is a junior Plumbing and Trades Management major from Boulder, MT. Brailynn exemplifies the engaged student, serving Northern in many varied ways, including her role as a student Residence Hall Director for MacKenzie Hall, as a tutor for the College of Technical Sciences, as a member of the Student Engagement Committee, and as an advisor for the Residence Hall Association. As if that weren’t enough, Brailynn also works part-time off-campus and has made the Dean’s list each semester she has been a student at Northern. Of Brailynn, one nominator said, “she is extremely inclusive…and has a genuine ability to listen and understand the student population… Students trust her and view her as a respected leader and voice of positivity on this campus.”

Skylee Dirden.
Skylee is a senior Elementary Education major from Harlem, MT. Within her program, Skylee has proven to be an exemplary student and pre-service teacher. In addition to strong academic drive, Skylee also brings deep compassion and a strong sense of professionalism to her work each and every day. Of Skylee’s performance in and out of the classroom, one nominator wrote, “Skylee has demonstrated again and again that she sets high expectations for herself with the intent of better service to the students she will teach.”

Mychaella Hall. 
Mychaella is a senior Graphic Design major from Dudley, PA. As a transfer student, Mychaella faced a number of challenges in adjusting to a new community, in a new state, in an entirely different part of the country. Mychaella wasted no time getting involved, supporting the Graphic Design program through her work as President of the newly formed Art Club, participating in campus events like the Community Involvement Fair and the Aurora Borealis Festival, and organizing and implementing a student art exhibition in the SUB. Additionally, Mychaella has been inducted to the National Society of Leadership and Success and has made consistent appearances on the Dean’s list. Of Mychaella, her nominator said, “she is dedicated, focused, and mature beyond her years. She is committed to excellence in the true sense of the word.”

Abbey Morse.
Abbey is a senior Integrated Health Sciences major from Havre. Throughout her entire time at Northern, Abbey has served as a manager for the women’s basketball team, even suiting up a couple of times in practice when injuries required it. Abbey’s commitment to the Northern and Havre communities is evident in her countless volunteer hours and participation in a wide variety of events and activities, including the Alumni Foundation auction, campus clean up days, the Glo Run, the Indigenous Women’s Walk, the ASA’s Halloween Trunk or Treat, and the Suicide Awareness Walk, to name just a few. Abbey’s nominator wrote, “Abbey has demonstrated a strong commitment to the core values of MSU-Northern and has been incredibly active on and off-campus, giving of herself to make MSU-Northern and Havre a better place.”

Hadley Plummer. 
Hadley is a senior Civil Engineering Technology major from Clancy, MT. Hadley is a tremendous leader and one whose talents are often quickly recognized and valued by any who have the pleasure of working with her. In addition to her role as ASCE chapter president, Hadley has served ASMSUN in multiple roles as well, cementing her perception as a trusted student leader who is committed to enhancing the student experience at Northern. Hadley has managed to maintain strong, consistent performance in a truly challenging major, and has retained employment off-campus throughout her time at Northern. Of Hadley, one nominator wrote, “in my experience at MSU-Northern I have not witnessed another student commit as muchtime or effort as Hadley has. Every day she tries to make campus a better place for all Northern students, taking on new responsibilities when others won’t and working hard to complete her designated tasks, in the classroom, on senate, as well as at work".

Aili Subik.
Business Administration major from Anaconda, MT. Throughout her exceptional academic career at Northern, Aili has shown herself to be an exemplary student. Aili has been an active member of the Business Professionals of America and accepted a nomination for inclusion in the Adopt-An-MSUN Business Program, where she has worked with local business leaders and participated in a number of community events. Aili serves as an excellent role model for her peers, balancing high academic achievement, campus involvement, service to her community, and a commitment to her family as well. Often, her breaks are spent with her young brother, ice-skating, seeing movies, or trick-or-treating in nearby Butte. Of Aili, one nominator wrote, “Aili is a skilled facilitator and participative leader; she knows how to involve others, build consensus, and get commitment from others.”

Jennifer Tomac.
Jennifer is a junior Community Leadership major from Havre. During her tenure at Northern, Jennifer has been a committed online student, while balancing part-time employment as a paraprofessional at Havre Middle School and raising 4 children with her husband. In the summer of 2022, Jennifer worked with staff in Residential Education and Student Health & Counseling to develop and implement the 1st Annual 2-day Student Leadership Summit – Re-ignite the Light, which brought student leaders in various roles across campus together to learn from each other and further develop a vision of what it means to be a peer leader at Northern. This spring, Jennifer is serving as the Student Coordinator of the Community Center on campus. She has taken the MSUN CARE Team’s vision from a physical space to a growing program with increasing involvement from students, staff, faculty, and the greater community, that will continue to grow to serve students in years to come. Of Jennifer, her nominator wrote, “through her pursuit of personal, educational and professional goals, Jennifer has undoubtedly made meaningful and substantive contributions to the MSU-Northern campus as well as the local community.”

Samantha Watson.
Samantha (Sammi) is a senior Business Administration major from Chester, MT. Sammi’s commitment to her academic experience has been on display throughout her career at Northern. Sammi is committed not only to doing her best at all times and in all places, but she has shown an exceptional ability to learn from her experiences, apply that learning, and grow as a student, as a leader, and as a person. Among Sammi’s greatest strengths is the way in which she values others. Sammi is unflinchingly positive, treats each person with whom she interacts with dignity and respect, and selflessly gives her time and gifts to others in a myriad of ways. In her time at Northern, Sammi has served on Student Senate, tutored students through Student Support Services, served as an active member of Chi Alpha, and mentored countless students, utilizing the wisdom gained from her own experiences to shape those of her peers. As written by one of her nominees, “Sammi is kind, ethical, honest, and shows a genuine interest in others.”

Sydney Hansen.
Sydney is a senior Elementary Education major from Big Timber, MT. Sydney strives for excellence in everything she does. In addition to exceptional academic performance overall, Sydney has been a strong contributor to our women’s basketball team, showing her exemplary skill as a leader on and off the court. Sydney is a two-time Academic All-Conference selection and will be named an Academic All-American for the second time at the end of this semester. Additionally, Sydney devotes time every year to a significant number of service projects on and off-campus. Of her leadership, her nominator wrote, “Sydney was the vocal leader on the team, but she is also a great leader by example. She does things the right way and earned the respect of not only her teammates, but her opponents as well.”ional goals, Jennifer has undoubtedly made meaningful and substantive contributions to the MSU-Northern campus as well as the local community.”

Mandy Nitz.
Mandy is a graduate student in the Masters of Science in Education, Instruction, and Learning program from Havre. Mandy’s commitment to high academic achievement and her performance within her program is certainly reason enough for recognition, however she is equally devoted to her family, her community, and the students she teaches in her full-time role within the Havre School District. Mandy has been a significant contributor to Northern’s Teachers of Promise Pathways program, in which she has taught dual enrollment courses in education to juniors and seniors in high school. As Mandy’s experience and influence have grown, she has proven an important proponent of the teaching profession – particularly within our community – and has worked diligently to support current and future colleagues. One nominator said of Mandy, “I have seen Mandy motivate her cohort colleagues and high school students with a unique style of engagement, passion, and support for all willing to work together…and…I believe she is developing the skills and qualities that will facilitate her development in becoming a robust and influential leader in the Havre School District.”