UND Founders Day

Name Coming Soon!

Gwennie Byron, Math Active Learning Lab

Gwennie has been with the department for approximately 25 years, a period during which she has impacted thousands of students in multiple ways. When the MALL (Math Active Learning Lab) was founded (around 2017) Gwennie served as Associate Director, and has since assumed the director's role. Gwennie facilitated the creation of a new approach to some of the highest-enrolled and most challenging courses in the mathematics curriculum. Thousands of students have passed through the MALL's doors. Gwennie has been integral to creating materials for these students, training and supervising GTAs who teach in the MALL, monitoring students' progress, and generally doing everything within reason to help students succeed in courses like Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, and Precalculus. Her efforts have had a direct and indirect impact on a very large number of students, and now seems like the perfect time to recognize her exceptional work.

 

 

Shaina Mattingly, Chemistry

Shayna Mattingly was my chemistry professor for chemistry 122, and she was amazing. Her passion for chemistry really sparked my interest to learn. In addition, each time I would see her outside of class she would make an effort to smile and wave, which I find so honorable. She finds ways to engage with students to keep their attention on the topic being taught. One of my favorite things about Shayna is how good she is at explaining difficult concepts. She truly understands each mechanism and applies her understanding to others. This helps to put real world applications to lecture topics and further helps advance students learning. In addition, she is very eager to help students with tough homework questions or review questions, with extensive visual examples. She truly cares about her student's success.

Cerynn Desjarlais, Education, Health & Behavior

I am honored to nominate Dr. Desjarlais for recognition as an outstanding professor. She exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate, supportive,and dedicated educator. Dr. Desjarlais consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her students not only succeed academically but feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported throughout their educational journey. One of the qualities that sets Dr. Desjarlais apart is her deep understanding that life is not always predictable. She approaches each student with empathy, patience, and flexibility where she is always willing to work with those who may be facing personal challenges. Whether it's granting extensions, checking in to see how students are doing, or simply offering words of encouragement, she never hesitates to help. This compassionate approach fosters a respectful and inclusive learning environment where students feel safe to communicate their needs and are inspired to do their best. She doesn’t just teach, she inspires. Dr. Desjarlais represents the very best in education, and she is, without a doubt, an outstanding professor worthy of this recognition.

Robert Newman, Biology

Dr. Newman is currently the Graduate Director for the Biology Department, and he will be stepping into the role of Department Chair. Bob is a valued mentor and colleague. In addition to his service as the Graduate Director, he has worked on the UND Senate two times, and serves on the School of Graduate Studies Graduate Committee. He is on several graduate student committees within the department and around campus as well. It is hard to find an individual more committed or involved to the Service Mission of our department, college, or university than Bob! The very reason that he is our incoming chair is for the simple fact that not only is Dr. Newman involved, he is committed to high quality, meaningful contributions to everything he does. When I have asked him why he does so much, he has simply replied “Because these things are important, and I want to make sure they are done well, and done right”. I have turned to Bob as a friend and colleague for advice throughout the years on several things, and he always has time, he always listens deeply, and he always has a compassionate, thoughtful response, to what are often challenging, complex, and potentially uncomfortable situations. 

Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Education, Health & Behavior

Dr. Clinton-Lisell organizes her research agenda around two central topics: text comprehension and open education. Her work is theoretically rich and methodologically rigorous with strengths in meta-analysis, systematic reviews, and experimental designs. She is a leading international expert in her field as evidenced by an extensive publication and presentation record, the quality of the peer-reviewed journals and publishers with which she works, and citation metrics that illustrate the impact and reach of her work. Dr. Clinton-Lisell’s record of productivity includes 69 peer-reviewed publications. She has presented her work more than one hundred times at academic and professional conferences.  

Dr. Clinton-Lisell received a competitive research fellowship from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. She received six external grant awards from organizations such as the Hewlett Foundation, the Institute of Education Sciences, and the National Science Foundation. Most recently, Dr. Clinton-Lisell was named to the Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, and she is the top ranked researcher on the list from the University of North Dakota. 

Dr. Clinton-Lisell is an exemplary faculty member who consistently demonstrates excellence in research. I am consistently impressed by her intellectual rigor, creativity, and dedication to impactful research. Her scholarship is highly regarded, accessible, and well known to national and international audiences. 

 

Lavinia Iancu, Criminal Justice

Dr. Iancu's research at UND is cutting-edge and extraordinary. The importance of Dr. Iancu’s research has been recognized nationally and internationally. She has received numerous awards – including two from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): the Henry C. Lee Scholarship Award (in 2014) and the Outstanding Early Career Achievement in Forensic Science Award (in 2018).  The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission recognized her important contributions through a Fullbright Senior Award (in 2018-2019).  The Romanian Academy recognized her important contributions through the Romanian Academy “Grigore Antipa” Award (in 2020).

Dr. Lavinia Iancu is an inspirational leader in research with innovative projects, high-quality publications, wide dissemination of important findings, prominent roles in disciplinary organizations, international recognition, and transformative student engagement – exemplifying UND’s mission (with exceptional educational experiences that enrich the lives of North Dakotans and the global community through excellence in teaching, innovative research, and meaningful engagement) and vision (inspiring a sense of wonder, a love of discovery, and a commitment to serve).

Helene Weldt-Basson, Languages

James Cooley, Aviation

Dr. Cooley’s remarkable commitment to teaching is underscored by the mentorship of numerous M.A. and Ph.D. students, including myself, many of whom have contributed presentations and publications at the national level. Dr. Cooley takes significant time in recording updated and valuable materials for his synchronous and asynchronous courses alike, ensuring student success. He is always available to meet with students, making the online learning environment feel collaborative, and has taken great effort to create a judgment-free educational environment. Dr. Cooley's commitment to solid online course development reflects his passion and dedication to the advancement of our field of Aerospace and Aviation, especially for committed working professionals.

Dr. Cooley makes it feel useful to provide feedback and operate with open lines of communication. I feel respected by Dr. Cooley's attitude towards work-life balance, since he recognizes that the Ph.D. program is very important, but there are family and life pressures outside of the program as well. Dr. Cooley encourages us to have vibrant extra-curricular lives, and he often says that it is a gift to be able to do many things with our lives, with higher education being one of them.

Josh Hunter, Education, Health & Behavior

Dr. Hunter has had a significant impact on students’ academic, research, and professional development through his approachable and genuinely caring mentorship. He goes beyond the traditional framework of a class, fostering an environment where students feel heard, valued, and empowered. Dr. Hunter consistently gives students a voice, promoting agency in the learning process and inspiring confidence in their abilities. He listens attentively, offers thoughtful guidance, and is always available to provide academic, professional, or personal advice. His passion for teaching is evident in his commitment to engaging every student in discussion and helping them connect course material to their broader goals. 

Through his teaching, Dr. Hunter promotes advocacy and community engagement, helping students understand how their knowledge can be applied to make a difference in the world. He challenges us to reexamine our assumptions and to connect academic learning with real-world impact.

I believe Dr. Hunter deserves recognition not only because of the profound impact he has had on my academic and professional journey, but because he exemplifies what truly outstanding mentorship looks like. His approach demonstrates that meeting students’ needs is both possible and essential, and that doing so elevates the entire educational community. Those of us who have had the privilege of learning from him know the enduring influence he has on those he mentors. By honoring him with this award, the University would highlight a model of mentorship worth celebrating, emulating, and uplifting.

Iraj H.P. Mamaghani, Civil Engineering

Dr. Iraj H. P. Mamaghani helps students grow because he blends tough, thoughtful training with genuine day-to-day care. In class, he doesn’t just assign work-he shows us how to think like engineers, building from basics to real research. He gives detailed feedback on our memos and models, so our writing, analysis, and judgment actually improve. Just as important, he watches out for us as people, checking workloads, encouraging balance, and making sure everyone feels like they belong. He starts meetings by asking how we’re doing, not just what we’ve finished. Everyone gets a chance to speak-he gently invites quieter students in, gives credit by name, and makes sure new students have a peer to lean on.

Dr. Iraj H. P. Mamaghani deserves recognition because he does the quiet, hard work that changes trajectories: he sets high standards, makes himself available, and is there when things go wrong, turning setbacks into lessons and momentum. That combination of technical rigor, practical support, and genuine care is rare, and it’s the reason his students grow into capable, ethical engineers who keep paying that mentorship forward.

Yun Ji, Chemical Engineering

Dr. Ji has consistently demonstrated a deeply caring attitude toward her students that goes far beyond the typical advisor–advisee relationship. She is kind, understanding, and incredibly patient, always taking the time to listen and offer thoughtful guidance. Her communication style is open and genuine, which builds trust and makes it easy for students to share both academic and personal challenges with her.

Madalyn Baeten, Academic Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences

She is always prepared and ready to help. She does so much that really helps students and it shows. She created a full layout and schedule for music therapy majors which is super awesome. She also always asks how you’re doing, greets you with a smile, and has a positive attitude.

Natalia Chitnis, Academic Advisor, College of Engineering & Mines

Natalie has been super understanding and flexible working with me as a non-traditional student, helping me craft a plan for my degree program and goals around my work/life constraints. I’m also a first-gen student, so a lot of this is new territory for me, but Natalie has made the process much less intimidating and given me great feedback as I’ve planned out my future semesters.

Malissa Kuznicki, Academic Advisor, College of Education & Human Development

She consistently demonstrates exceptional knowledge and genuine understanding whenever I approach her with questions. Each time we speak, I leave the conversation feeling truly heard and reassured. Her thoughtful guidance and collaborative approach have played a meaningful role in helping me stay on track toward earning the degree I’ve worked so hard to maintain.

Jessica Parlato, Academic Advisor & Recruiting Specialist, College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

Usually I have a plethora of questions that I come in with, and she helps me figure them out. She is very attentive, understanding, and compassionate and she always motivates me to do my best. She will always help me find the extra resources that I need help finding.

Molly Sand Eichten, Academic Advisor, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

She has helped me believe there is a place here at UND for me within aviation even if I cannot get into the commercial aviation program.  She has kept my expectations realistic while also being a voice of wisdom to the way I can still get everything I expect and more out of the program I am in as a first-generation college student.

Brynne Wischer, Academic Advisor, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

I’m a remote student, but every time I talk to Brynne for advising, she makes me feel like I’ve been on campus the entire time. She remembers details about me, and even during her busier seasons, she takes the time to ask me about my life and how things are going. She has absolutely made my experience with UND a positive one.

Jonathan Blankenship, Student, Commercial Aviation

Jonathan exemplifies the true spirit of shared governance on a daily basis. He has been listening to his peers and advocating for them since the first day he stepped onto campus his freshman year, Fall 2023. With the ultimate goal of making a positive difference on campus, Jonathan immediately began finding ways to get involved, including serving on University Senate, Student Government, North Dakota Student Association, UND Student Legislation Team, and UND Curriculum Committee. Jonathan is currently serving as the UND Student Body President. In this role he works diligently to be a voice for all students and has built an executive team that represents students from across campus.

Jonathan values the success of others and wants to help create the best college experience for every UND student. There is no doubt that he is advancing UND’s mission and vision through his efforts, demonstrating leadership in collaborative practice.

 

Liz Legerski, Sociology

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Legerski joined UND in 2010 and served as chair for the University Senate in the 2020-21 academic year as well as a State Board of Higher Education faculty advisor from 2020-2022.  Her service to shared governance at UND includes eight years of engagement with University Senate as well as service on a variety of Senate committees including Legislative Affairs, Administrative Procedures, Faculty Handbook, Budget, and more.  

Her personable and congenial nature supports the culture and principles of collaborative governance and the UND LEADS strategic plan more broadly. In terms of Learning, she is a  devoted educator as reflected in her impressive SELFI Faculty Evaluation scores with a Total Overall Score of 4.5/5.0 across more than 30 courses. Dr. Legerski is a devoted champion of shared governance, a skilled professor, and a respected scholar. 

 

Mike Wozniak, Leadership Development

Mike Wozniak has significantly advanced the culture and practice of collaborative governance, particularly for staff members, at UND in ways that will have lasting positive impact on our institution. Mike's commitment to strengthening shared governance is evident in his systematic approach to enhancing staff representation across campus. He undertook a comprehensive review of committee assignments to ensure appropriate staff representation, advocating for staff and for diverse voices at all levels of decision-making. This review led to more equitable staff participation in university governance and helped identify gaps where staff perspectives were needed.  

Mike's leadership has not only improved current governance practices but has also laid a solid foundation for future collaboration. His contributions embody the spirit of this award through his demonstrated commitment to advancing shared governance and fostering a more inclusive and collaborative university community. 

Mark Askelson, Associate Vice President for Research - National Security & Professor, Atmospheric Sciences

David Flynn, Professor, Economics & Finance, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

Sheila Hanson, Associate Professor, Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

Thomasine Heitkamp, Research Developer, Division of Research & Economic Development

Leslie Martin, Associate Professor, Aviation, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Paul Snyder, Assistant Chair and Director of UAS Operations Program & Associate Professor Aviation Department, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

 

The Nistler College of Business and Public Administration and the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, in collaboration with the Division of Research and Economic Development (R&ED) at the University of North Dakota (UND), in partnership with the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) Nation, built a sustainable foundation for integrating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) on Tribal lands. The effort, entitled MHA Drone Project, resulted in a repeatable, scalable UAS-based approach to support life-saving medication deliveries in a remote Tribal community in northcentral ND. This extensive effort is the first of its kind on Tribal lands in ND and across most of the US.

Interdisciplinary collaboration among the UND partners was critical, given the importance of engagement that supported Tribal sovereignty in all communications and achievement of project aims. This required collaboration with an MHA Drone Advisory Board to guide efforts and testifying before the MHA Tribal Business Council to secure required resolutions. Given the depth and breadth of partnerships required to achieve the goal of establishing a UAS flight to deliver medications with BVLOS approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), collaboration was critical.

 

Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences

The department, which includes faculty from both the Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programs, exemplifies a strong and sustained commitment to service at every level. Their dedication to shared governance and meaningful faculty engagement across the university reflects a deep understanding of academic citizenship as a core faculty responsibility. Despite having a relatively small number of faculty members compared to their large and growing number of undergraduate majors, the department consistently demonstrates a remarkable level of service engagement. Collectively, they contribute significantly to and often Chair numerous university committees, disciplinary associations, and collaborative academic initiatives. Their service extends beyond the campus, impacting the local community, the state of North Dakota, and numerous Tribal communities through outreach, coalition building, research partnerships, training, and education. For these reasons and more, the Department of Criminal Justice stands as a model of departmental service excellence and is highly deserving of this recognition.