UND Founders Day

Dr. Diane Darland

Diane Darland, Ph.D., is a professor of Biology in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of North Dakota and has been a member of the department’s faculty since 2005.

Darland previously served as a research fellow and later an investigator and instructor at Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard Medical School from 1998 to 2005.

Prior to her academic career, Darland graduated with a B.A. in biology from the University of California San Diego and worked for several years as a lab research technician at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Research Center in La Jolla, Calif.

In 1998, Darland earned her Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology from Oregon Health Sciences University.

She is a member of several professional groups, including the Society for Neuroscience, the North American Vascular Biology Organization, the Society for Developmental Biology, the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity and the National Science Teaching Association.

Throughout her career, she has enjoyed learning and integrating new ideas from different disciplines. The overarching theme of her research addresses how vascular cells — the specialized cells that line the inner surface of blood vessels — and the cellular microenvironment can impact tissue formation and function during development and in disease states.

Dr. Rachel Navarro

Rachel L. Navarro, Ph.D., is a professor of Counseling Psychology in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of North Dakota. She has been a member of the faculty since 2010.

Prior to UND, Navarro held faculty positions at Teachers College, Columbia University and New Mexico State University. At UND, she has served as the training director of the American Psychological Association-accredited Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program, department chair, and associate dean of Research & Faculty Development.

Nationally, Navarro served as a Training Advisory Committee Member for the APA’s Minority Fellowship Program; the President of the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs; the Vice President of Scientific Affairs for APA’s Society of Counseling Psychology; and the Early Career Psychologist Representative for the National Latinx Psychological Association.

She currently serves as editor for the Journal of Career Development and as principal investigator and co-principal investigator for grants funded by the National Science Foundation, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture.

As a professor and researcher, she is committed to broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in science, technical, engineering and mathematics fields. As a licensed psychologist, she is dedicated to training healthcare providers and other allied health professionals in the provision of culturally sensitive and empirically supported practices as one strategy for reducing health disparities.

Navarro earned a B.A. in psychology and women’s studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an M.S. in counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

 

Dr. Rebecca Rozelle-Stone

Rebecca Rozelle-Stone, Ph.D., is associate dean of curriculum in the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of Philosophy & Ethics at the University of North Dakota.

Rozelle-Stone — a leading scholar on 20th-century French philosopher Simone Weil — served as the president of the American Weil Society from 2014 to 2016 and has co-edited “The Relevance of the Radical: Simone Weil 100 Years Later;” co-authored “Simone Weil and Theology;” edited “Simone Weil and Continental Philosophy;” and most recently authored “A Very Short Introduction: Simone Weil.”

Rozelle-Stone currently serves as a committee member on the board of the Society for Women of Ideas. Aside from Simone Weil, her research interests include phenomenology, feminism, the ethics of attention and the growing field of fatigue studies.

Rozelle-Stone earned her B.A. in philosophy at Birmingham-Southern College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

 

Montana Etten-Bohm, Atmospheric Sciences

From day one, I could tell that Dr. E-B was going to be a teacher who deeply cared about the success of her students and was a professor who would form an environment where I would be set up for success. 

Dr. E-B went above and beyond to comprehensively lay out the structure of her class starting day one letting the class decide on whether we would want tests or quizzes in class. Thank you so much for such an awesome college course experience. 

Dr. E-B is an incredible professor who shows such passion and diligence for the classes she teaches. From the beginning you could tell she was going to make the course a student focused class. Her commitment to learning, teaching, and being there for her students has been unrivaled so far at UND. 

Dr. Montana Etten-Bohm exemplifies the qualities that we, as an institution, seek to honor with the UND Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. Her dedication to student-centered and experience-based learning, forward-thinking teaching practices, and her commitment to inclusivity and student success make her an ideal candidate for this recognition. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this award.

 

Duane Helleloid, Entrepreneurship & Management

Dr. Helleloid consistently receives impressive SELFI scores in his classes, often some of the highest in the Middleton School. Students also provided many positive comments on his teaching evaluations. Students commend him on class organization, communication of expectations, and the quality of applicable assignments. In addition to his outstanding teaching, Dr. Helleloid has engaged in teaching scholarship and other teaching-related activities. 

Based on the experiences I had in class with Dr. Helleloid I believe he exemplifies what it means for the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. He inspired me to work hard in his classes and complete my undergraduate business degree. 

Professor Helleloid has been instrumental in my college education. He is one of the most patient and intentional professors I've had the privilege of taking classes from. He has a unique ability to keep a full classroom of students engaged during an hour-long lecture. 

Diane Darland, Biology

Dr. Diane Darland combines outstanding teaching in graduate courses with exemplary mentoring of numerous graduate students across campus, so I enthusiastically support her for the Outstanding Graduate or Professional Teaching Award. I am truly astounded by the positive influence and leadership she has provided for graduate education at UND the past few years. Part of Dr. Darland’s success in both teaching and mentoring is helping students identify and develop habits and strategies that will make them more successful. This includes helping students develop confidence that they have the ability, something I’ve witnessed firsthand with students who had been struggling.

Dr. Darland always provides constructive feedback and is genuinely interested in all student projects within the Biology Department. Within her Scientific Writing course, Dr. Darland always provided ample feedback for each student. Her positive reactions and constructive criticism were conveyed in a timely manner via draft and assignment reviews. Perhaps more impressive, Dr. Darland consistently excites both graduate and undergraduate students with her inquisitive attitudes towards their projects.

Dr. Darland is a considerate, enthusiastic, and motivating professor. I had so many fruitful discussions with her during my graduate committee meetings. She was also very generous with her time. I had always felt welcome whenever I went to her office to discuss my project. I saw her give the same dedication to every one of her students as she did for me.

Wayne Seames, Chemical Engineering

Wayne is an amazing salesman, cheerleader, and advocate for the department, college, and university. He is always one of the first to volunteer for prospective student tours, where he enthusiastically proclaims how wonderful chemical engineering is, and how many great opportunities are available for UND chemical engineering students. Every year I see him almost single handedly prepare our annual department newsletter filled with stories that help our alumni remain connected to UND. Dr. Seames is committed to making a difference and has demonstrated an ongoing record of service that has greatly benefited individuals and programs throughout the department and college and across the university and profession. I enthusiastically recommend him for this Outstanding Service Award.

I have very much enjoyed working with Dr. Seames. He is dedicated to providing the best education for all students and cares deeply about how his programs can provide the highest level of impact for students. His enthusiasm is contagious and working with him makes those around him want to give more.

Prakash Ranganathan, SEECS

Dr. Ranganathan's record of winning external grant funding from agencies demonstrates his strong ability to lead interdisciplinary research initiatives that address critical challenges. His publication record, coupled with outstanding working involving high school students in his research undertakings, shows a commitment and excellence deserving of this award. 

He is a well-rounded researcher who is not only aggressive in seeking research funding but is also an excellent mentor and collaborator who is: selfless, empathetic, approachable, compassionate, and can bring out the best among various constituencies (faculty, staff, collaborators and students). These attributers have enabled him to develop an extensive collaborative network both in academia and industry. In addition, he publishes his work in high quality peer-review journals and he and his students present their results at quality technical conferences. I have interacted with several CEM personnel (across various levels) over the course of 15 years at UND, and have not once heard anyone express any challenge or difficulty in working with Dr. Ranganathan which is a true testament to his amicable and collaborative nature!

Aaron Kennedy, Atmospheric Sciences

Dr. Kennedy’s excellence in the classroom has been recognized over the years by his students. The University of North Dakota Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society has awarded Dr. Kennedy with the “Best Junior/Senior Faculty Member” award in 2016, and the “Golden Reamer” award – an award that goes to professors who set high expectations in the classroom for their students – as recently as 2023.

Dr. Kennedy is passionate about community service. Beyond more conventional and formal outreach, Dr. Kennedy is the founder of Hopped Up On Science, a monthly science seminar held at Half Brothers Brewing in downtown Grand Forks that showcases science and research being done by researchers from around the University of North Dakota. This seminar is open to the public and provides a casual setting for anyone to see what local researchers are doing in their fields. This seminar often attracts dozens of locals, exposing them to the interesting research being conducted in their community.

Dr. Kennedy's unwavering dedication to student success was clear to me as a student. His office was always open for any coursework questions or career advice. In the classroom, he employed a variety of teaching methods to aid student comprehension of difficult topics, including frequent demonstrations, practical coding exercises, and personal research anecdotes. His commitment to his students' success is a testament to his exceptional teaching abilities.

Archana Dhasarathy, Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Archana Dhasarathy is an exceptional mentor who has significantly contributed to my academic and professional growth. Under her mentorship, I became one of the first graduate students in my cohort to pass the comprehensive exam and secure a publication. Dr. Dhasarathy's hands-on approach included personally guiding me through over a dozen research protocols, ensuring a solid foundation in laboratory techniques. Dr. Archana Dhasarathy has created a supportive, inclusive, and motivating environment for students through her thoughtful actions and genuine commitment to their well-being. Recognizing the potential isolation in graduate school, she has taken proactive steps to foster a sense of community and belonging among students. Dr. Dhasarathy regularly hosts one to two social gathering events per semester, inviting graduate students and postdocs from various labs, including those that don't typically organize such events. She even extends these invitations to students from different departments, promoting interdisciplinary connections.

Understanding the importance of mental health and work-life balance, Dr. Dhasarathy does not impose rigid working hours on her graduate students. Instead, she offers the flexibility to take mental health days when needed, recognizing that personal well-being is crucial for academic success. In conclusion, Dr. Archana Dhasarathy's outstanding mentorship deserves recognition for its lasting impact on students' academic and professional journeys. Her selfless dedication, comprehensive support, and embodiment of servant leadership principles not only shape successful scientists but also cultivate compassionate, effective leaders across various fields.

Mark Kaemingk, Biology

Dr. Kaemingk is an effective mentor who drives students’ academic, research, and professional development. Each student in the Kaemingk lab group has a designated hour-long time slot each week reserved for one-on-one meetings with him where he is open to discuss (or simply listen to) any topic the student needs, whether academic, research, professional, or personal. This consistent stability and a willingness to always be available to each student on an individual basis is what helps each of his students meet their goals. He motivates his students by encouraging us to be curious together. I have grown so much by working with Dr. Kaemingk, and I am so thankful for his mentorship as he truly inspires and facilities students’ growth.

Although Dr. Kaemingk is only in his fifth year at UND, he has already mentored five graduate students, with two already completing their Master’s degrees and one set to finish next semester. A common comment was how Dr. Kaemingk made time for them through weekly individual and lab group meetings. I can vouch that his lab meetings are highly interactive, spirited, and positive—I often hear these through the conference room door. I hear a lot of critical questions being asked, and there is an open exchange of ideas from everyone participating. Especially important is his emphasis on having students think more broadly about not only their research questions, but about how they will communicate with different audiences. To help with that he encourages, and financially supports, students to regularly travel to meetings, present their research, and interact with other scientists. In summary, Dr. Kaemingk is one of the best two graduate student mentors I have encountered at UND, and I have served on numerous committees across campus. I give my highest recommendation for recognizing his commitment to mentoring graduate students.

Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Education, Health & Behavior

Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell consistently demonstrates a caring attitude through her exceptional communication skills and the supportive relationship she builds with her students.

She is always approachable and responds promptly to questions, providing thoughtful and detailed feedback. For example, she helped me navigate the foundation courses for my PhD, offering invaluable guidance on program choices, and her consistent check-ins have been a source of motivation. Furthermore, her enthusiasm for my research ideas has not only kept me inspired but has also made me feel that my work is truly valued.

Additionally, when I needed clarification on the CIP code classification for STEM and non-STEM categories related to my academic program, Dr. Virginia promptly addressed my request. She quickly communicated with the relevant departments and ensured that my concerns were forwarded to the appropriate place. Not only that, but she continues to provide regular updates on the status of my request, demonstrating her dedication to supporting my academic and career needs beyond the classroom.

Jill Caya, Academic Advisor, College of Engineering & Mines

Jill's professionalism is stellar. She communicates clearly with concise information regarding the Chemical Engineering program and is very knowledgeable of the program requirements when it comes to selecting courses. The students are lucky to have Jill as their academic advisor.  

Cheryl Kingsbury, Mathematics, TRIO Programs

Cheryl, is not someone who will talk about herself, so someone has to do it for her. In her decades of service she has worked with countless students, many of whom when asked what TRIO did for them will cite Cheryl as one of the primary reasons that they had the ability to keep going with college. She regularly gets calls or emails from former students years later thanking her for getting them across the finish line. She is always available for students to lean on when they are struggling, and she is there for their triumphs as well. If a student is in need, Cheryl Kingsbury is there waiting in the wings to scoop them up and help. 

Kirsten Pratt, Academic Advisor, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Kirsten greets students with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and provides empathy and understanding in her support to students. She has shown excellence in supporting UND student organizations while radiating the utmost professionalism and setting a high standard for an academic advisor. Students have spoken with her about career worries, mental health issues and have introduced their families to her as a trusted individual who is truly concerned about their success in education and in life.

Melanie Schindler, Academic Advisor, School of Law

Because my advisor was newly hired to UND, Melanie took the time to not only help me with my degree map, but also to help my undergraduate advisor ease into her new role. Melanie is kind, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. Because of her connection to the law school, Melanie was able to offer me insight into the year I'll study for the LSAT and the classes I should take before then. On my own, I would likely struggle to assemble my degree map and prepare myself for law school.

Gabriella Williams, Academic Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences

I walked into her office feeling the weight of many difficult classes and exams occurring at the same time, and left her office with a renewed passion for what I am pursuing and desire to succeed. She is enthusiastic and incredibly passionate about what she does and pushing students to succeed. The resources she has been able to share with me are ones that I didn't even know existed. I scheduled a meeting with her to discuss the potential consequences of dropping a lab, but she went above and beyond just answering my question. As someone who was accepted into medical school, she is a valuable mentor. She understands what it takes to be accepted and get in to medical school. 

Adelyn Emter, Student, Psychology

Adelyn Emter has spent five years at UND contributing to collaborative governance. As an undergraduate and graduate student, she connected with students, faculty, staff, and administrators through her roles in residence halls, student government, and the North Dakota Student Association (NDUS). She advocated for student rights and equitable access to education, sponsoring bills and resolutions in Student Government aimed at promoting equity and educating the campus community.

In addition to her legislative efforts, Adelyn has contributed to several campus initiatives, including authoring resolutions for Indigenous artwork funding and supporting Open Educational Resources (OERs). She has volunteered with a research team to create affirming spaces for sexual and gender minorities, supported student success as an Academic Success Coach, and worked with UND Housing on mental health and community building. Adelyn has also testified before the ND Legislature on student rights, served as a student ambassador, and volunteered with CVIC to combat sexual violence, showing her commitment to a more inclusive, supportive environment at UND.

Kari Holter, Student Involvement & Parent Programs

Kari Holter has demonstrated a strong dedication to collective governance through her six years of service in Staff Senate, where she served as both a Member-At-Large and Co-Chair of the Community Relations Committee. Her leadership roles reflect her initiative and commitment to supporting both her fellow senators and the local community. Kari's willingness to take on new challenges and her collaborative spirit have made her a joy to work with, as she consistently steps up to ensure meaningful contributions to shared governance.

Melissa Gjellstad, Languages

Professor Melissa Gjellstad’s leadership, both on campus and in the broader community, exemplifies the collaborative spirit deserving of the Robert O. and Marcia B. Kelley Award for Excellence in Collaborative Governance. Since 2008, she has fostered cultural competencies among UND students, staff, faculty, and local citizens, playing a key role in initiatives like the Cold Recall – The Roald Amundsen 100th Anniversary Exhibit (2012) and the 1814-2014 Red, White, and Blue exhibit (2015). In these projects, Melissa was a vital partner, grant-writer, and promoter, connecting multiple stakeholders to enhance academic and cultural programming. Her dedication continued as chair of the Languages Department, where she expanded language learning and global engagement through leadership in the Go Global Academy, integrating library visits and research instruction.

Dr. Gjellstad’s enduring commitment to institutional success is evident in her involvement in key Senate committees, even a decade after serving as University Senate Chair. Her advocacy for initiatives like the Worldview Diversity and Digital Information Literacy Special Emphases has helped shape the campus’ academic direction. Her leadership goes beyond the university; she has also been a role model for women, advocating for legislative change and community involvement through events and programs, such as her participation in ND Humanities programming and Arts & Culture events. Her efforts and dedication make her a significant force for positive change at UND and in the community.

Keith Crisman, Space Studies

Pablo De Leon, Space Studies

Jesse Rhoades, Education, Health & Behavior Studies

Over the past five years, this team has expertly merged its expertise in aerospace engineering, human-centered design, and biomechanics to tackle the most pressing challenges in human spaceflight. Their collaboration has led to numerous groundbreaking achievements, including developing a gravity offload system that simulates fractional gravity environments.

The far-reaching impacts of their work extend beyond technical innovation. Their research on spacesuit functionality, coupled with an emphasis on astronaut inclusivity—including astronauts with disabilities—aligns with both NASA's and ESA's priorities, while also setting a new standard for inclusivity in space exploration. Their groundbreaking findings have been showcased at prestigious forums such as the International Astronautical Congress, and their work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and supported by multiple external grants, including NASA funding. Moreover, their integration of biomechanics and motion capture technologies has enhanced the educational experience for both graduate and undergraduate students, offering them unique opportunities to engage in high-impact research.

What truly distinguishes this collaboration is its remarkable ability to combine expertise from distinct fields to generate solutions that transcend the individual contributions. By synthesizing Dr. De León’s vast experience in spacesuit design, Dr. Crisman’s skill in risk mitigation and human-in-the-loop testing, and Dr. Rhoades’s expertise in motion capture analysis, this team has consistently delivered innovations that challenge conventional boundaries and set new benchmarks for interdisciplinary research.

Political Science & Public Administration, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

It came as no surprise to me that this outstanding department received such a prestigious nomination, as each member of that department is an exceptional teacher who focuses on forming connections with their students, developing them holistically throughout their college career, and then supporting them as they pursue jobs in their fields.

PSPA prides themselves for the passion and dedication that they bring to the teaching mission of UND and the Nistler College (NCoBPA), and they are well justified in doing so. For example, a student recently said “I have never encountered a question my Political Science professors could not answer, and they almost always would go above and beyond to provide a reading source for additional research/context or a personal anecdote from their academic experiences to help me (and the class) understand the subject”. These professors want students to fully learn these subjects, in the context of a broader perspective, which is critical in the fields in which they teach.

Civil Engineering

 

The Civil Engineering department has advanced research activities in a very dramatic way in areas of funded research, peer-reviewed journal publications, and peer-reviewed conference publications. While significantly increasing these activities, the department has continued to support substantial increases to enrollments in their academic programs.

A few examples of the Civil Engineering’s research accomplishments over the past five years include the following highlights; additional details are included in the attached summary.

• CE faculty members have contributed to 136 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications, most with UND students as co-authors
• Individual faculty members have received numerous research-related awards, including one faculty member that has received both an NSF CAREER Award and an EPA Early Career Award, 4 best paper and poster awards, and one faculty member named a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Faculty members work collaboratively with a variety of researchers across the UND campus including with the Transportation Technology Research Institute (TTRI), Sustainable Infrastructure Research Initiative (SIRI), the Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR) Center, and the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS).
• Externally funded research funds have increased by 566% while department enrollments have maintained a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 60:1.

In short, the Department of Civil Engineering has made incredibly strong contributions to the research mission of the university, and to the field. Their successes deserve recog

History & American Indian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences

The Department of History and American Indian Studies faculty are selfless citizens who serve the University of North Dakota and their community, state, and region. At the same time, they are mainstays of their various disciplinary organizations, both locally and internationally.

There are numerous other examples of service being provided by members of the Department of History and American Indian Studies—too many to detail here. The commitment this Department has shown to service extends far beyond their disciplinary boundaries; service is simply part of the fundamental culture of this Department. Their work is of benefit to our students and the university, our local community and region, professional organizations, advocacy groups, and other entities. Furthermore, many of the service efforts of this department’s faculty are unique in that they bring together stakeholders in novel and impactful ways.