There are a number of ways you can grow your leadership skills in the Fishback Honors College.
Dean's Student Advisory Council (DSAC)
The Dean's Student Advisory Council is comprised of Honors students from each academic college. This group of students is responsible for advising the Dean on matters relevant to Honors students and implementing programs and initiatives that support student success.
If you are interested in serving on DSAC Email Dr. Rebecca Bott Knutson
- Members of DSAC '20-'21 School Year
- Ann Talon Babits
- Dakotawinter Barnes
- Kaylee Jo Becker
- Parker Jerome Beers
- Alexandra Marie Bladholm
- Carolyn Ann Blatchford
- Wendy Ann Blickensderfer
- Anna Grace Bosma
- Sara Michelle Broad
- Nicholas Ford Carlson
- Benjamin Porter Diersen
- Joshua Brian Donahoe
- Madison Kaelin Dulas
- Matthew Hunter John Dulas
- Maryn Elizabeth Duncanson
- Julie Marie Eggert
- Alexis Juel Elfstrand
- Jillian Theresa Ewald
- Brittni Nichole Franken
- Thane Edward Henschel
- Jay Daniel Holm
- Lindsey Nicole Kimmel
- Benjamin Leek
- Zachary J Lehmann
- Emma Kathryn Millsap
- Hannah Grace Nelson
- Ella Rae Padden
- Jadyn Peterson
- Kailee Marie Schultz
- Anna Grace Shane
- Holly Ann Tofte
- Sadie Rae Tornberg
- Kaylan Johannah Untiedt
- Sadie Renee Vander Wal
- Drew Kelsey Westerman
Teaching Assistants (TAs)
The Honors College employs several students each year to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs) in the Honors Orientation (HON 100) courses and other introductory Honors courses. This is a tremendous opportunity for students to make connections with fellow Honors students and gain leadership skills. Students also have the opportunity to receive upper-division Honors credit for serving as a TA.
If you are interested in serving as an Honors TA Email Hanna Holmquist
- Spring '21 Teaching Assistants
- Maddie Dulas
- Taylor Buck
- Kailee Schultz
- Alyssa Gentile
- Ava Torres
- Thane Henschel
- Anastasia Poull
- Alexis Elfstrand
- Ann Babits
- Sydney Mincheff
- Nichole Dial
Peer Mentoring Program
Honors students are invited to serve as peer mentors for the incoming class of new students each fall. Students who volunteer as mentors are paired with an incoming Honors student--often based on major or interests--and meet once a month throughout the fall semester. Mentors serve as resources for the incoming students and answer questions about both Honors and the broader university experience.
To join the Peer Mentoring Program Email Cadi Kadlecek
- '20-'21 Peer Mentors
- Shelby Ruland
- Julie Eggert
- Zachary Lehmann
- Holly Tofte
- Madison Fitch
- Jordan Thompson
- Hannah Nelson
- McKenzie Schroeder
- Emily Sobczak
- Rachel Goldsmith
- Jillian Ewald
- Madison Hamel
- Kjerstin Aspaas
- Rachel Zook
- Drew Westerman
- Ann Babits
- Ellie Balken
- Kyle Shapcott
- Abby Riesgraf
- Jess Scheer
- Sara Broad
- Abbigale Hellevang
- Benjamin Diersen
- McKenzie Gaspar
- Riley Larson-Adams
- Mollie Heinen
- Matthew Dulas
- Amanda Kelling
- Nichole Sample
- Joy Dahle
- Madyson Spencer
- Kailen Krause
- Lars Wagner
- Leo Mullen
- Peyton Boll
- Cassandra Townsend
- Kelsey Werpy
- Erin Holmberg
- Avori Bastemeyer
- Ian Hastings
- Anastasia Poull
- Ryker Pedde
- Ella Padden
- Jayden Van Peerson
- Vishnu Pfeiffer
- Anna Hall
- Luke Knutsom
- Clara Hipp
- Dakotawinter Barnes
- Sadie Vander Wal
- Jerrod Fedorchik
- Tori Jensen
- Jordan Traub-Jensen
Student Recruitment Team
The Student Recruitment Team is an initiative that allows current Honors students to assist with Admissions visits with prospective students and their families. Members of the recruitment team also participate in events such as Honors Visit Day, Senior Day and Jackrabbit Receptions. This effort gives prospective students a better idea of what it is really like to be an Honors student at SDSU and allows current Honors students to gain communication skills and experience.
To join the Student Recruitment Team Email Hanna Holmquist
LeadState
Learning and experiencing leadership is a critical component of an Honors education. The Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College helps to coordinate the LeadState program, a leadership development program for college sophomores focused on strengths-based leadership, service and the social change model for leadership development. Fifty to sixty new students take part in LeadState each semester.
LeadState Program
Anna Poull
Graduation Year: Spring 2023
Majors: Animal Science, Ag Leadership, and Ag Science
Favorite Part of Being in Honors: Honors really opens up more opportunities for you academically and socially. I have met so many amazing people by being a part of the Honors College that I never would have met otherwise.
TA, Honors CA, Peer Mentor
Thane Henschel
Hometown: Britton, SD
Major: Human Biology B.S.
Graduation Date: May 21
Why I love being a TA: As a senior, I appreciate being able to connect with incoming freshman and watch their love for honors grow as much as mine
DSAC, TA, Student Recruitment Team
Name: Alyssa Gentile
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Major: Psychology, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Minor: Data Science
Graduation Date: Spring 2022
Why I love being an Honors TA: I enjoy being an Honors TA because it gives me the opportunity to connect with younger honors students. I love being a resource for students, and I want to make their honors experience as great as it can be!
DSAC, TA
Lindsey Kimmel
Graduation Year: 2022
Major: Pharmacy
Minors: Spanish, Health Science
Favorite Honors Memory: Meeting my friends in Honors Hall during my freshman year!
Favorite Part of Honors: The smaller class sizes and debating topics during my Current Issues in Health Care colloquium.
DSAC, Student Recruitment Team
Kaylan Untiedt
Graduating May 2021
Major: Biology Secondary Education
Favorite Honors memory: Living in the hall with a community of game playing, food-making, music creating, built-in study buddies, and lifelong friends!
DSAC
Kailee Schultz
Graduation Year: Spring 2022
Major: Business Economics
Minor: Accounting, Criminal Justice
Favorite part of being in Honors: My favorite part of Honors is definitely the people. I have had the opportunity to meet the coolest people through Honors, and I know the people I will talk with most after graduating are those I met in the Honors College. Both the students and the staff are so encouraging and I feel so welcomed any time I am in a room with someone who is also a part of Honors.
Honors TA, DSAC
Matthew Dulas
Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Music Education & Music Studies
Favorite Part of Honors: The opportunity to meet so many fantastic people that I would not normally come across.
Favorite memory: Having game/movie nights in the Honors basement
DSAC, Peer Mentor
Holly Tofte
Graduation year: 2023
Major: Business Economics, Political Science
Minor: Legal Studies
Favorite part of Honors: Meeting so many lifelong friends!
DSAC, Peer Mentor
Ben Leek
Major: Computer science and data science
Graduation year: May 2023
Favorite part of being in honors: My favorite part of being involved in the Honors College at SDSU is the people. The people I have met through classes, activities, programs and living in Honors Hall have made my time at SDSU very special.
Favorite Honors Memory: Beating Matthews hall in a giant game of capture the flag on campanile green my freshman year.
DSAC
Sadie Vander Wal
Graduation Year: 2022
Major: Animal Science/Agricultural Communication
Favorite Honors Memory: Studying abroad with the Honors College in May 2019 to Belgium and the Netherlands!
DSAC
Alexis Elfstrand
Graduation Year: 2022
Major: Human Biology Pre-Medicine
Favorite part of being in Honors: Being able to connect with a wide range of other students, faculty members, and community members. I have met so many new people in this program that I will be able to call friends for a long time to come.
DSAC, Honors TA
Maddie Dulas
Graduation Year: 2021
Expected Major: Sociology
Expected Minors: Social & Human Services, Criminal Justice, Addiction Counseling & Prevention
Favorite part of being in Honors: The enriched and passionate community of Honors students and faculty who become great friends, lifelong mentors, and ultimately, family.
Favorite Honors Memory: Studying abroad with Honors peers and faculty in both the Netherlands & Belgium and Indonesia!
DSAC, Honors TA, Student Recruitment Team
Carolyn Blatchford
Graduation Year: 2022
Major: Community and Public Health Science
Favorite Part of Honors: Being involved in Honors Literary Circle! I love being able to connect current and past alumni of the Honors College as well as read new books!
DSAC, Honors CA
Anna Shane
Graduation year: December 2022
Expected major: Political Science, Spanish, & Global Studies
Favorite part of being in Honors/ favorite Honors memory: My favorite Honors memory was Honors Thanksgiving my freshman year because the event was absolutely packed with students and Honors College supporters alike. I remember sitting downstairs in Honors and I had to shout over all the chatter and laughter as we enjoyed a great meal together as an Honors family! And that is what Honors is all about!
DSAC
