Tricia Tauer, graduate assistant in Student Success Programs, was awarded a NASPA Rising Star award for the state of North Dakota at the NASPA IV-West Regional Conference Oct. 23-25 in Wichita, KS. 

 

NASPA is a professional organization for student affairs administrators in higher education. The award recognizes one graduate assistant from each state who shows great potential for a successful career in student affairs.

 

Tauer, whose hometown is Becker, is a graduate student studying educational leadership. 

 

"As I was presented the award, I felt a deep sense of purpose and belonging. It is such an honor for me and I am humbled by the kind words and encouragement from my mentors who nominated me,” Tauer said. “I feel supported and incredibly lucky to work at an institution that is focused on developing the members of their team. It is a very special feeling, to feel like you are right where you are supposed to be."

 

“Tricia comes to work every day with exceptional interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and a genuine concern for students’ education. She is highly skilled and constantly seeking to better herself in ways that will help her help others,” said Casey Peterson, director of Student Success Programs.

 

Betsy Carter, Student Success Programs assistant director for learning services, said Tauer has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the Rising Scholars program, which helps conditionally admitted students succeed at NDSU.

 

“Tricia creates lectures and lessons, meets individually with students and has developed and implemented a peer mentoring program within Rising Scholars,” Carter explained. “Tricia is willing to take on tough challenges in novel ways and does so with enthusiasm and authenticity. She is most certainly an up-and-coming young professional within student affairs.”

 

The IV-West Region includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

 

As a student-focused, land grant, research university, we serve our citizens.