Office of Human Resources

Annual Recognition Awards for 2023-2024

• Board of Regents Faculty Achievement Awards
• Board of Regents Staff Achievement Awards
• Retirees
• Years of Service
• Staff Senate High 5 Recipients
• Academic Advising Awards
• Distinguished Lifetime Educator Awards
• Degrees/Certificates Earned

Minot State University honored its 2023-24 Board of Regents Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards award winners at the conclusion of the academic year.

Faculty Achievement Awards
This program was established in 1985 by the Burlington Northern Foundation. In 1990 the Board of Regents established a second award and now solely supports the awards to recognize outstanding university teaching. The intent of the award is to recognize, reward, and motivate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Kathy Hintz - Excellence in Service - Teacher Education
Dr. Hintz's extensive record of services exemplifies the highest standards of commitment to our institution's values and mission. Her contributions extend far beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing a wide range of activities that have enriched the educational experience for our students and enhanced the quality of life within our community.

She has been actively engaged in various organizations, serving in leadership roles and contributing significantly to their missions. From her involvement with Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma to roles with the National Council for Social Studies and the Association of Teacher Educators.

Dr. Hintz is also actively involved in the Minot State University community as well, serving on committees and councils and serving as the current chair of the Diversity Council.

Her commitment to service in the community includes involvement with the Interfaith Community Allies, Episcopal Diocese Reconciliation Committee, and the Minot Public Library Board.

MariDon Sorum - Excellence in Teaching - Special Education
MariDon has been a faculty member in the special education department since 2016 and during that time has consistently demonstrated excellent teaching. She has continued to critically evaluate her courses each semester to find ways to further improve her teaching.

Sorum embodies the essence of excellence in teaching through her exceptional knowledge, compassion, and dedication to creating an engaging learning environment. Students regard her as their favorite instructor for her ability to make learning American Sign Language (ASL) both enjoyable and accessible.

Beyond imparting ASL signs, MariDon ensures that her students have ample opportunities to practice their skills and engage with the Deaf community. She invites guest speakers and incorporates real-work perspectives, she enriches the educational experience and fosters a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in her classroom.

MariDon's excellence in teaching, dedication to Minot State University and its students, and her persistence for continual improvement make her a model of a great teacher at the university level. She is certainly a worthy recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award in Teaching.

Laura Zucca-Scott - Excellence in Scholarship - Teacher Education
Dr. Zucca-Scott's scholarly achievements are vast and impressive, spanning a diverse range of topics and formats. Her numerous conference presentations and publications demonstrate her commitment to advancing knowledge in education, literacy, and interdisciplinary studies.

In addition to her conference presentations, Dr. Zucca-Scott has contributed significantly to the scholarly literature through her publications in esteemed journals such as ND Quarterly and Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue. Her work addresses pressing issues in education, information literacy, and humanism, reflecting her deep engagement with topics relevant to the social, economic, and cultural needs of our community, state, and nation.

Her commitment to involving students in her research and scholarship is exemplary. She actively engages students in her work, providing them with valuable opportunities to contribute to the generation of new knowledge and enhancing their learning experiences.

Dr. Zucca-Scott's outstanding scholarship, commitment to addressing relevant issues, and contributions to teaching and learning at Minot State University make her an exceptional candidate for this award.

Staff Achievement Awards
The Board of Regents Staff Achievement Award was established in 1991. The Board of Regents established the award to recognize university staff members for outstanding service to the University and the community.

Jolina Miller - Center for Extended Learning
Jolina Miller serves as the Online Program Coordinator at Minot State. Part of her responsibility includes her work to ensure that students are able to successfully register for and drop or withdraw from classes available through other NDUS institutions through the collaborative registration opportunity.

Her attention to detail and ability to follow through ensures a positive experience for our students. she provides top-notch customer service to our students and to other internal offices. She is professional and personable in her interactions, and she has helped to elevate the collaborative process across the whole NDUS.

Jolina dedicated herself to completing her bachelor's degree over the course of several years, showing her commitment to her own educational goals and her determined spirit.

We appreciate her steady support of our students.

Linda Conn - Center for Extended Learning
In her role as an online instructional designer, Linda Conn has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the university's core values and has proven herself to be an invaluable member of the Minot State University community.

Linda has displayed unwavering dedication to teaching and learning with excellence, integrity, and engagement. Her passion for education is evident in the courses she teaches, such as UNIV 110 and Group X Yoga where her evaluations consistently rank high.

Linda goes above and beyond in service to the university and the community. She chairs the staff senate recognition committee where she works to recognize outstanding contributions from staff. She is active in tree plantings on campus, volunteered at the Red and Green School Garden, and supports various events such as, Western Plains Opera productions, all of which exemplify her dedication to community engagement.

Linda earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Minot State while working full-time. Linda treats everyone with kindness and respect. Her enthusiasm for Minot State University is commendable and we are fortunate to have her as a staff member.

Years of Service

Retirees

Staff Senate High 5 Recipients

Academic Advising Awards

Distinguished Lifetime Educator Awards

Degrees/Certificates Earned

Katelynn Albers, Accounting & Finance - Management Accountant Certification

Ben Bagwell, Wellness Center - Climbing Wall Instructor - Lead Certification

Erica Bailey, Special Education - National Interpreter Certification and Master of Science in Special Education

Erin Inverson - Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Richelle Johnson, Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Amy Lee, Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Lacey Long, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities - EdD, Educatoinal Leadership & Practice

Roxanne Mathis, Publications & Design - Master of Science in Management

Danielle Reinisch, Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice