Dickinson State University

“Dr. Gruhlke is an outstanding member of our campus community,” said Marilyn Lee, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at DSU. “This award is a testament to her leadership and dedication to the education of our students.”

According to their website, the National Business Education Association (NBEA), of which the M-PBEA is an affiliate, is the nation’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to serving individuals and groups engaged in instruction, administration, research, and dissemination of information for and about business. NBEA is the leading association devoted to the recognition that business education competencies are essential for all individuals in today’s fast-changing society.

The International Music Camp, founded in 1956, offers one-week camp programs in a wide range of fine and performing arts disciplines to students from 76 countries every summer. The IMC also holds a series of professional development opportunities for adults.

While he was there, Wohletz taught several masterclasses, sectionals, and lessons to students ranging from ages 10 to 18, from the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Slovenia. In addition to teaching at the camp, he also performed on several recitals as a soloist and chamber musician.

Shortly thereafter, I decided to take a chance on this opportunity and said, “Yes.” And I have never looked back. Since then, I have taken many opportunities to say ‘yes’ that have come my way. In using this philosophy I have grown personally and professionally. I found I loved living in this state with its buttes and rolling hills. My dogs and I enjoy our hikes in the country and parks. I have formed friendships with my colleagues, who included me in their activities, and introduced me to their friends. One of those friendships led to finding my wife. My good fortune in love includes her three children, and our grandchildren. How lucky is that?

Living a ‘Yes’ life led me to accepting a position as the chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at the University in 2014, and most recently to a position as interim vice president for Academic Affairs.

Early in my career at DSU, I created an Arts Entrepreneurship degree to provide opportunity for students. Whether aspiring to be a self-employed artist or to work for business in graphic design, these art entrepreneurs need the business skills to make their goals a reality. To create this opportunity, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts worked collaboratively with the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SoBE). This pathway allows students to complete their education in fine or graphic arts with an entrepreneurship minor.

And that is not the only time in my tenure at this University that I have experienced collaboration amongst faculty, departments and the community. The University has recently been designated a Dual Mission institution. I am very proud to work with faculty and staff who are eager to develop new curriculum that will continue to provide opportunities for our students while meeting the workforce needs in our region. Several of these opportunities will be available in the near future.

On July 1, the Department of Nursing offered Certified Nursing Assistant training for the first time.

In fall 2019, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts will begin to offer a musical theatre track within the structure of the Bachelor of University Studies degree.

Students will have an opportunity to complete a Business Education degree online in fall 2019, offered by the Department of Teacher Education and SoBE.

Also beginning fall 2019, the Department of Social Sciences will offer both an associate and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition, Dickinson State University is looking forward to developing further partnerships with Lake Region State College for a police academy in Dickinson, at DSU.

Lastly in this academic year, Dr. Chip Poland, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies at DSU, myself and representatives from Bismarck State College (BSC) are exploring a collaboration agreement to offer welding from BSC on the DSU campus. Our goal is to have it in place for launch in the spring of 2020.

While DSU is eager to pursue the many applied technical opportunities available as a Dual Mission institution, our anchor is in liberal arts education. Our liberal arts curriculum is designed to give students a broad knowledge of the world through studies in arithmetic, grammar, science, culture, communication, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to utilize these skills in real-world situations. In today’s global economy, it is essential students are engaged citizens, adapt to a rapidly changing economy, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively. The liberal arts provides the foundation to be successful for jobs yet to be imagined.

Dickinson State University is excited to be able to provide these opportunities to our students and our region, as well as seek out future business and educational partnerships.

I once heard it said that you cannot have change and comfort simultaneously. Embracing opportunity often means we must change. What we most often find on the other side of the discomfort is something bigger and greater than what we could imagine. This adventure begins with three simple letters: Y-E-S.

The competition results are as follows:

Business Presentation, 4th Place – Allisha Dworshak and Kyle Michel

Justice Administration, 10th Place – Joseph Unruh

Business Law, finalists – Emily Carda, Heidi Jazwa and Kyle Michel

Job Interview, finalist – Allisha Dworshak

Three of the attending DSU students received a $400 scholarship from PBL. Recipients were selected based on an application process that included an essay on how participation in their chapter has enhanced their leadership skills. The recipients are as follows:

Allisha Dworshak

Heidi Jazwa

Joseph Unruh

Dragseth is no stranger to Higher Education governance. She has been Dickinson State University’s Faculty Senate president three times and in June 2019 she finished a two-year role as president of the Council of College Faculties, a statewide council that represents all North Dakota University System faculty.

“I feel that I have a breadth of experience that will allow me to recognize the needs of all of our state institutions of higher education. At Dakota State University in South Dakota, I had the traditional 4-year experience of beginning college immediately out of high school and living the ‘dorm life’ while attaining a B.S. in Business and a B.A. in English Literature. My MBA is from the University of South Dakota, an R-2 Research University and my Ph.D. is from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an R-1 Research University.” While achieving her advanced degrees Dragseth was also a working mother of three, so she understands the challenges of being in that position as well.

Dickinson State University is a regional comprehensive institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission is to provide high quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life for the citizens of the State of North Dakota.

Dickinson State University was established 100 years ago as the citizens of the region came together in recognition of a need for an institution in their community that would help train teachers to work in the area. As regional education needs have changed, DSU has expanded curriculum beyond teaching, to include business, nursing and agriculture.

In 2018, Dickinson State University received approval from the SBHE to offer expanded, dual mission programming. Being a dual mission institution means DSU can better meet the educational needs in the region. In addition to offering four-year liberal arts degrees, the dual mission designation removes barriers and allows DSU to offer expanded practical training, certificate, associate, graduate and community programs.

In alignment with the new mission, DSU will offer the following opportunities in the next year:

• Master of Entrepreneurship

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

• Associate of Science with emphases in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Engineering

• Associate of Administration

• Certificate of Wellness

• Certificate of Strength and Conditioning

• Certificate of Corrective Exercise

• Certificate of Allied Health

• Certificate of Welding, in conjunction with Bismarck State College

• Certified Nursing Assistant Training

• Communication Skills Workshop

Hello Dickinson family and welcome to a Minute with Mitzel.

Dr. Carmen Wilson, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at DSU has decided to pursue new opportunities. Dr. Wilson was with the University for just over three years, and she accomplished a great deal in this period. I would like to take a moment to recognize Carmen, and to thank her for her leadership and service to the institution. 

Carmen created a strong team that worked tirelessly toward established goals, with rewarding and productive results.  Enhancements in student advising, programming, and outreach have resulted in positive outcomes for both the recruitment of new students, and retention of current students. Under her team, enrollment has increased almost 6% in the past three years; and first to second year retention has risen from 54% in 2015 to 71% in 2017. She will be missed and I wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors.

Earlier this year, the Higher Learning Commission visited our campus to conduct an accreditation review visit. The visiting team was upbeat and optimistic about the University, which is a testament to the hard work of the community over the past three years. In the preliminary draft it was suggested that DSU review and potentially reallocate the vast amount of responsibility that has been placed under the supervision of the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

As such, we have decided to take the vacancy in this position as an opportunity to address the HLC’s suggestions, while also finding pathways to a more efficient financial platform for DSU.

As we move forward as an institution, the role and responsibilities of the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs position will be distributed among several experienced and capable members of the campus community.

Marilyn Lee will be assuming the role of Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Marilyn has been employed at Dickinson State since 2002, serving as Professor of Art, Chair of Department of Fine and Performing Arts, and most recently as the Associate Provost and Dean of Instruction.

Dr. Kenneth Haught will return to his position as Interim Associate Provost and Dean of Instruction, a role he held from 2015-17. He also served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Dickinson State University from 2011 until 2015, and chair of the fine and performing arts program from 2017-2019.

Marie Moe will serve as the Vice President of University Relations & Recruitment, overseeing the Office of University Relations and the Office of Student Recruitment and Admissions. The landscape of marketing and student recruitment is rapidly changing and the alignment of these two units is strategic, positioning the University to be more competitive in the higher education setting. Before joining Dickinson State University in 2011 as the director of University Relations, she worked in the admissions office at Simpson University where she advanced from enrollment recruiter to director of continuing and graduate admissions, a role in which she was responsible for strategic enrollment planning and marketing. Marie will bring her experience in recruiting, marketing and communication together to provide direction for integrated enrollment outreach.

Laura Nelson, who has served as interim Vice President for Finance and Administration for the past six months will continue in this role. Laura has the trust of her staff and a clear understanding of the position, lending a stability of leadership within this unit.

I am pleased that we have qualified individuals on campus who have the education and experience needed to assume these crucial leadership roles. These individuals have a strong connection to the history of the University, collectively representing more than 50 years of service to the institution.

I look forward to working with each of them and ask that you give your support during this transition.

Dr. Debora Dragseth, professor of business administration, and Kevin Moberg, assistant professor of English and education, co-presented a session on establishing and sustaining a sense of community in the classroom to keep university students engaged and learning. Theirs was one of over 500 session proposals submitted from which only 100 were accepted for presentation.

Loretta Heidt, instructor of business, joined them in attending additional sessions on course design, assessment and feedback, teaching with technology, and other topics related to effective pedagogy at the university level.

Another educational program addressed as a need in our region is training for those interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). DSU designed a course to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic care services for patients and residents in various care settings. This CNA training class will begin July 1; the course roster filled before the registration deadline of June 24. 

There are many aspects to educating a nurse. It requires an entire professional department of graduate degree prepared nurses, a cadre of nursing and related general education courses, plus an all-encompassing array of clinical sites in which student nurses practice their skills and hone their abilities to critically think through each patient and situation they may encounter. Education and preparation makes for nurses whom are competent and capable of entering the professional world of healthcare. After all, nurses have been acknowledged as the most trusted professionals for the 20th year in a row, according to a 2019 Gallop Poll. Dickinson State University (DSU) has been helping prepare trained nurses for more than 50 years, nurses that are recognized for excellence and service. So how does DSU produce terrific nurses?

The nursing programs at DSU educate Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) working toward Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing (AASPN) degrees, a pathway that provides an opportunity for students to ladder into a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, to become Registered Nurses (RN).

Nursing student Alfahnique Kemp Teigen discusses nursing practices with Jacinta Skretteberg, RN, MSN.

The education of a bachelor’s degree prepared registered nurse involves the completion of 126 credit hours. This total includes approximately 62 credit hours of nursing specific courses, covering content in nursing practice and nursing concepts of care and care systems. Student nurses are also required to enroll in approximately 50% of clinical courses within the 62 credits. Students learn in the classroom the knowledge and science of nursing, while they apply it to practice arenas in their clinical courses. It is in the clinical practice settings that students learn about the science of patient care and the art of nursing. Soft skills need to be cultivated and honed, in direct care of patients, under the watchful guidance and coaching of professors.

To assist the University in the preparation of future nurses, the Department of Nursing at Dickinson State has cultivated relationships with over 30 clinical agencies of health care. The department would not exist without many clinical partners in the education of students. Students are exposed to many aspects of healthcare. Those settings to name a few involve: acute care in hospitals, long term care, adult clinics, women’s health and pediatric clinics, day cares for child health screenings, school health, public and community health, correctional facility nursing, disaster preparedness, and mental health care. Dickinson State University covers the entire southwest corner of the state with a network of clinical partners.

A new addition to nursing education is the advancement of simulated patients, which are high tech look-alike computer based human size models. DSU faculty can prepare scenarios where students care for the patient in a new manner, in a safe laboratory, hospital room type setting. This practice results in better prepared nurses. Nursing programs across the nation have simulation labs, where this was not prevalent 20 years ago. Nursing education has gone high tech, and the DSU nurse education program provides this advanced opportunity for student nurses.

Another component of nursing education is the strong base of science courses and general education to round out the preparation of a university level degree. Nursing depends heavily on understanding the human condition through science, psychology, sociology, mathematics, and the array of general education classes. Student nurses are further developed with these types of courses, into educated persons whom can articulate well, to future employers and patients they encounter.

A group of nursing students pose for a photo outside May Hall on the DSU campus. They graduated together May 11, 2019, each with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The Department of Nursing at DSU was recently ranked as the #1 Best BSN Program in North Dakota by RNCareers.org. This ranking reflects points for having an accredited nursing program, RN National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates and affordability of a nursing program. DSU experienced both LPN AASPN and RN BSN programs holding a 100% pass rate for the previous academic year. DSU graduates do indeed pass their board exams, and go on to fruitful careers in nursing. Dickinson State produces approximately 50 new nurses each year! Some students are hired close to home in Dickinson, while others travel to work in other states or countries. The faculty are dedicated to teaching and creating nurses for the world.

New nurses are needed to aide in the nursing shortage and there is a demand for nurses that will continue into the future. According to the North Dakota Center for Nursing, North Dakota is projected to need 3,270 more new nurses by 2026, to add to its base of current practicing RNs. Nationwide, the projections describe a need for 100,000 new nurses per year through 2022. America has nearly 4 million nurses at present, and will need replacements for retiring nurses plus the demand for new nursing positions as healthcare keeps growing (NursingWorld.org). There is a demand for nurses and it will continue into the future. America needs nurses and Dickinson State University will remain strong in its preparation of nurses into the future as it has done for the last 50 years.