Graduate School Newsletter - May 2023

Student Spotlight

Born into a family of Jackrabbit alum, South Dakota State University (SDSU) was always at the top of Carter Huber’s list when he started looking at colleges. “After I visited [SDSU], it literally felt like a second home - so I knew it was right!” As an undergraduate student, he studied Mechanical Engineering, but it was the Counseling, Human Resources and Development (CHRD) with a specialization in Administration of Student Affairs program that grabbed his attention and aligned his career goals with his values for graduate school. “I was interested in the CHRD program because I have always wanted to work in higher education. I knew that the skills and experiences that I would gain in the program would benefit me and those that I serve, regardless of my role. In addition, some of the most influential individuals in my life are student affairs professionals and graduates of this program!” 

Carter graduated with his M.Ed. in Fall 2022 and is currently an academic advisor for the School of Psychology, Sociology, and Rural Studies. Here, the fruits of his labor as a graduate student have bloomed into a rewarding job that allows him to serve students.

I consider it a privilege to walk alongside students during their academic journey. When people think of the role of an academic advisor, most people jump to registration changes…but it is so much deeper than that. As an advisor, I am a confidante. As an advisor, I am an advocate. As an advisor, I am a teacher. Everything that I do is in an effort to help my advisees grow and reach their aspirations. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing them get there. 

While he is already putting his CHRD degree to good use, Carter has even greater aspirations that his education and experiences have prepared him for in the future. In August, he will be starting an Engineering Education (Ph.D.) program at Ohio State University. This degree will fuse together all that SDSU has equipped him with – degrees in mechanical engineering and Student Affairs – to uniquely research and develop research-based practices and interventions for engineering faculty to utilize in and out of their courses to affect student motivation…In particular, I am interested in motivational development of at-risk and neurodivergent students. My ultimate goal is to one day become the Director of a Teaching and Learning Center at a four-year, public institution. Because student development, group dynamics, and knowledge of higher education is vital to my line of research and in the field of teaching - my master's degree is going to be extremely pertinent to my career goals.

Throughout his educational journey, Carter has attributed a lot of his success and direction to the influential faculty and staff around him, including one student affairs professional in particular. “The person that influenced me the most during my time at SDSU was Dr. Florencio Aranda III (Dr. Flo). Although Dr. Flo now works at Texas Christian University; I still interact with and seek guidance from him. I consider him to be my mentor. When I was questioning the way that I wanted to go with my degree, it was Dr. Flo that helped me identify Student Affairs as a path!”

As Carter continues his own graduate journey, he advises those just beginning their own that …growth happens just outside of your comfort zone. Graduate study is not like your undergraduate career. It requires a lot of learning on your own. It requires you to create, apply and evaluate information at a higher level. Although you may be hesitant about your thesis, field experience, or large project, just know that this new experience will help you grow. Embrace it!

Undoubtedly, Carter’s own legacy as an SDSU alum will be impactful, especially on the students that he has helped, as well as a great foundation for what awaits him in the future.

Upcoming Events

End of the Year Ice Cream Social 

           Wednesday, May 3rd 3:30pm-4:30pm CST 

             Campanile Lawn 
Join the Graduate School staff as we celebrate the end of the 2023 academic year with ice cream and socialization on the green! This event is open to all graduate students. Graduates, feel free to bring your cap, gown, and hood for a photo op by the Campanile. Those in attendance also have a chance to win some cool door prizes!

Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2023 will be held May 6, 2023 at the Swiftel Center in Brookings, South Dakota. The move from campus is due to the construction in Frost Arena as that facility continues its transformation into First Bank & Trust Arena during the next 18 months.

Graduates, associate through doctoral degrees, will walk with their respective colleges at the following times:

• 10 a.m. – College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering;
• 2 p.m. – College of Education and Human Sciences and the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions; and
• 6 p.m. – College of Nursing, College of Natural Sciences and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Each ceremony will be ticketed based on capacity, and graduates will receive up to six tickets apiece for their guests.

Thank you and congratulations to all of the wonderful graduate students who participated in the Graduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Day!

The event was held to showcase the innovative work of SDSU graduate students. The day featured a graduate student speaker presentation, followed by graduate student poster presentations, culminating with the Graduate Student Recognition Event.

• Featured speaker - Maryam Wahab – PhD candidate in Biological Sciences – Food Science
• Poster competition
  • 34 poster participants
  • Honorable mention – Caitlyn Sullivan – MS Animal Science
  • 1^st Place – Bree Oatman – MS Chemistry – Chemical Education
  • Thank you to our judges – Dr. Dianne Nagy, Dr. Victor Taylor, and Dr. Kristi Tornquist
• Recognition Event
  • 30 students completed the professional development certificate
  • Recognition of the 10 Graduate School awardees for the 2022-23 academic year
  • Total funds raised during the Spring 2023 campaign = $1825

Photos from the event can be found on our Graduate School Facebook and Instagram pages.

Congratulations to Bree Oatman, recipient of the Inaugural Distinguished Innovation & Creative Work Award!

This award recognizes outstanding creativity, impact, and innovation through original works accepted by the university "in lieu of thesis". Bree is earning her MS in Chemistry - Chemical Education under the supervision of Dr. Matt Miller.