Profiles

“The CSSE department and VCSU career services really does a phenomenal job in helping a student who wants to be proactive in the career hunt and search so I already have a job, that I am currently working, before even graduating and receiving my degree. I give all the credit to my department and career services for helping me achieve this.”

“VCSU has prepared me for real-world situations. Moving from Arkansas to North Dakota has been an adjustment, but for the type of work I’m considering, being adaptable is important. Especially if I plan to coach on the collegiate level for a few years. It’s also shown me the importance of creating relationships with individuals and getting out of my comfort zone.”

“Let’s be honest, it’s hard to speak chemistry, and the ability to explain a subject you love and seeing the lightbulb *click* in the student’s minds is what drove me to get my Chemistry Education degree, as well as a Physics Minor, and STEM ED certificate.”

“I chose VCSU because it has the major that I want, and I am from Valley City, so it was a no brainer when the opportunity came about. I was also grateful I could keep my many jobs around town some of which include a mowing business and my high school tech job.”

“We have a lot of students involved with art. I tell the students that regardless of the career they choose, they will need a creative side of it as well. My students are doing art shows and the work necessary for college credit. Earning college course credits helps them to reach for the stars.”

“With the skills I have gained and the people I have been fortunate enough to meet at VCSU, I am optimistic for the future. As of now, I hope to meld my two career paths together to help in the development and creation of accounting software.”

“Whenever I see someone wearing my socks or shirts, it is pretty surreal. Wright Foot didn’t exist three years ago. Now it has customers and fans all over the world. I really enjoy making people laugh and now I get to do that for a living. I am grateful for that every single day.”

“Learn. But actually, take the time to learn. College is an atmosphere where ideas and high-level thinking surround each student. It’s a crazy atmosphere. To future students, take advantage. The best thing about a small university is the increased emphasis on single-student success.”

“The science department has the best professors in my opinion, by talking to my professors I took their recommendations and took a newly offered hydrology course for fun, and now look… I’m a hydrologist!”

“As an older than average student, I was worried that I would have difficulty transitioning back to being a student. However, with the small class sizes, I met some fantastic classmates who were always willing to lend me a hand.”

“When I toured campus myself, I instantly felt comfortable and knew this was the place for me. I loved how intentional everyone was when getting to know me and helping me envision myself as a student here.”

“I learned about different ways to challenge my students, but also learned about ways to modify activities for them to be able to gain confidence in their skills as well.”

“Graduating wouldn’t have been possible without them,” she said, of her peers, teachers, staff and all those apart of her journey. “I hope others understand now that, with a little bit of help, anything is possible.”

“My classes and internship are some of the biggest reasons I landed a full-time job just one month into my senior year of college.”

“Don’t let these things scare you or others put you down. Listen to what your heart wants to do and follow through because we are going to be working throughout the majority of our lives, so why not do something you love.”

My favorite part of my job is hands-down the students I get to work with. The change and growth students experience during their time in college is incredible to witness and be part of.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher and it just turns out that some of the best teachers I had graduated from VCSU. The truth of the matter is: if you want to go into education in the state of North Dakota, your best choice is VCSU!

It is a great campus that is welcoming to everyone, and the professors are all passionate about their work and ensuring that you get the best education possible.

“Every minute I spent learning, every minute in labs, every minute in the AT room, every minute on the field, every interaction with professors, every interaction with student-athletes, every minute walking the VCSU campus—they all stand out to me.”

I knew that VCSU was a top institution for teacher education. I also really enjoyed working with the music faculty, and I felt like I could really grow and thrive as a musician here.

Every time that I drifted away from Valley City for a couple of years, I would just be drawn back. I have always just loved learning, and so it’s a real pleasure to be surrounded by other people who also are passionate about learning, teaching, and VCSU.

What I enjoy most about VCSU is the community-like involvement. I love the opportunities to get involved and know people! Everyone seems to be a part of something!

“I’d always enjoyed writing, reading, and editing for classes, and I figured I wouldn’t mind doing work with those skills in the professional world.”

As the User Services Librarian at VCSU I have had the opportunity to connect with the students I serve and seeing their progress over their academic career is incredibly rewarding!

“When I first chose this major, it made sense because of my interests and hobbies. However, throughout my college experience, I’ve become excited about educating young students.”

“As I read more of the literature associated with both English and Spanish, my ability to write improves greatly. My short stories are more interesting, and my academic writing is well-developed.”

“Through majoring in English Education, I will have the opportunity to share my love for reading, grammar, and writing with the young minds of future generations.”

VCSU helped shape me into a strong and confident leader. At VCSU, I took up many leadership roles that helped me gain more confidence with those around me.

People say college is the best time of your life. I know that I’m still young and have lots of life to live, but those really were the best days of my life — because of the friendships and relationships I made, I’ll think about VCSU forever.

I love watching friendships and bonds form throughout the day. It is the most rewarding part of the show. The endless smiles and laughter throughout the day really show the impact that the show is having on their lives and reminds you how much more alike we are than different.

My advice for students is to picture yourself here. Sitting in on a class, talking to professors, checking out the residence halls, and even eating lunch in the cafeteria are great ways to experience the campus as a prospective student. Experiencing what attending school here would actually feel like really helped me to know that VCSU is the place for me.

If you are considering VCSU as your potential school, take this as your sign to do it! VCSU is warm, welcoming, and everyone here tailors your experience for your utmost level of comfort. Come to Valley City – come HOME!

Vikings are some of the most enjoyable students I’ve had the pleasure of working with across my years in higher education! I love the small class sizes, getting to know students as individuals in addition to their academic and career interests.

I was lucky enough to work in all sorts of environments, from the swamps and bayous of Louisiana and East Texas, to the spring fed desert streams of West Texas, to the beautiful mountain streams and river throughout Utah and Idaho.

You won’t regret coming here. The people and “small town” feel are amazing.

VCSU has one of the best education programs and I like that I’m still around my family. I also really like how small the campus is because I’ve gotten to know both my classmates and professors.

My time at VCSU was where I truly found out who I am and who I would be, and I know for a fact I wouldn’t be in this job, having the best time ever, if it wasn’t for the people I met, the classes I took, and the experiences I had while I attended VCSU.

This is not a “job” to me, it is my entire passion and what drives me every day. In the morning, with coffee in hand, I tell my husband, “Okay, I’m off to school for the day!”

I am so grateful that VCSU was able to accept what I already had done in college and in life and help me achieve a bachelor’s degree.

What you put into your community is what you get out of it. That’s the number one lesson Valley City taught me.

VCSU is the only school I actually applied to because as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was for me. Something about it just fit like a glove. It’s beautiful, welcoming, and has an air of genuine dedication to its students.

I love the small atmosphere of our campus. There are so many opportunities to make connections with people outside of your major.

At VCSU, you can make your education truly individual to you and I think that’s important in preparing for today’s job market.

I chose VCSU because it was where I wanted to play volleyball and I liked the hometown feel the campus had.

VCSU helped prepare me as an educator, especially in these times, because I can use technology in a different way.

Valley City State shaped me into the person I am today. I think about who I was as a person when I came in as a shy, unsure freshman, to then leaving as a confident senior.

I graduated from high school in a class of 17 students, so I valued the small class sizes and tight-knit community that VCSU had to offer.

The pride of being a Viking is what has kept me here,VCSU has a lot of pride – not just on campus, but within the Valley City community as well. It is amazing to be part of something that has so much support on and beyond campus.

VCSU alumnus Mark Zinke ’16 spends his days teaching in the gym and coaching on the field. By night he is busy designing and selling gear to people who are proud to represent their North Dakota roots.

After I came to campus for a vocal music competition during my freshman year of high school, I told my mom I was going to attend VCSU because of how beautiful the campus was.

I visited once to learn about the Fisheries and Wildlife program prior to enrolling. After meeting with the advising faculty, I was immediately sold. VCSU has the best Fisheries and Wildlife Science program in the state of North Dakota, primarily due to the outstanding work that our professors do on a daily basis.

The small class sizes keep me accountable and help me to be an engaged learner so I can get as much out of my education experience as possible.

You can sit in a college course and learn everything there is to know about teaching, but nothing can truly prepare you better than first-hand experience in the classroom. I’ve enjoyed building relationships with my students and have become comfortable at the front of the classroom.