SDSU professional staff to be honored at 2026 meeting

Seven members of the professional staff at South Dakota State University will be honored for their quality work at the SDSU Professional Staff Advisory Council annual meeting May 13.

The event, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Woster Celebration Hall at the SDSU Alumni & Foundation, will include an all-staff social with the program and awards beginning at 3 p.m. A Zoom link will be available for those who cannot attend in person.

Noah Roerig, honors advisor for the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College, will be presented the Rising Star Award. The award recognizes superior achievement by a professional staff member within the first three years of employment.

The six staff members to be presented with Presidential Awards of Excellence are:

• Austin Buysse, assistant athletic director for facilities
• Christine Wood, SDSU Extension 4-H STEM field specialist
• Tracey Buisker, assistant director of financial aid and scholarships
• Nathan Edwards, South Dakota Mesonet operations manager
• Matthew Badura, assistant director in the First Year Advising Center
• Tanner Aiken, project manager and horticulturist with Facilities and Services

According to the council, Roerig supports more than 600 students through academic advising and program development. He leads initiatives focused on student success, recruitment and engagement, while also fostering campus partnerships and experiential learning opportunities, including honors travel courses.

Buysse, who is being recognized in the area of athletics, works closely with coaches, staff and campus partners to ensure athletic facilities are safe, functional and competition ready. Buysse also coordinates events and facility rentals and collaborates with Facilities and Services to maintain key venues, including Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.

Wood, recognized for her work in Extension, provides professional development and resources in areas such as robotics, food science and animal science. 

She is dedicated to creating meaningful learning opportunities that build youth confidence and career readiness. Wood is actively involved in statewide and national STEM initiatives and partnerships that support out-of-school learning.

Buisker, awarded in the area of student affairs, has worked for 15 years supporting student access to higher education. She oversees scholarship awarding, financial aid processes and staff leadership, while also serving on campus committees and supporting students through outreach efforts, including work with the American Indian Student Center.

Edwards, recognized for his work in support of research, has led the growth of the statewide weather station network since 2012.

His work supports South Dakota agriculture through innovative tools and expanded access to weather data, including on tribal lands. Edwards also contributes to national efforts advancing weather monitoring and infrastructure.

Badura, honored in the area of academics, supervises advising staff and works directly with students to support academic success. Badura also leads initiatives to enhance advising resources and plays a key role in onboarding and training new advisors across campus.

Aiken, recognized for business administration and financial management, coordinates campus construction projects to ensure they align with existing landscapes and prioritizes sustainability.

As a certified arborist, Aiken is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the university’s tree canopy and outdoor spaces.

The program to recognize and reward exceptional performance and leadership was established in 2012.

Given annually, a cash award of $3,000 is provided for each of the six Presidential Awards of Excellence with $1,500 for the Rising Star award.