Faculty & Staff

NSU Accounting Professor Publishes Research in International Academic Journal

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:52:02 +0000

NSU Accounting Professor Publishes Research in International Academic Journal

Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 04/21/2026 - 08:52

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University assistant professor of accounting Dr. Eman Momeni has published a peer-reviewed article in the Asian Accounting Review, a journal published by Emerald Publishing and indexed in Scopus, one of the world’s largest abstract and citation databases. The journal is ranked Q2 in finance and Q3 in accounting within the Scopus index.

The article, “Audit Report Lag and Its Contemporary Issues: A Comparative Review of Literature,” examines the factors that influence the time between a company’s fiscal year-end and the release of its audited financial statements — a gap with significant implications for investors, regulators and financial markets. The research provides a comprehensive review of existing literature and identifies emerging issues shaping the field.

“As financial markets become increasingly complex and fast-moving, understanding audit report lag is essential for improving transparency and efficiency in financial reporting,” Dr. Momeni said. “This research highlights how reporting timeliness influences market transparency and decision-making, contributing to the broader accounting literature. Given that auditing firms are one of the primary career paths for many of our accounting graduates, this topic is especially relevant and informative for their professional development.”

Dr. Momeni joined 91��Ƭ�� State University in 2020 and brings more than six years of professional accounting experience in public accounting, auditing and financial advisory roles. His research interests include international financial reporting standards, forensic accounting education and emerging markets. This publication adds to a growing body of scholarly work he has produced since joining 91��Ƭ��’s School of Business, now housed in the Business and Health Innovation Center.

The article is available online. To read the full publication, visit:
https://www.emerald.com/ara/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/ARA-06-2024-0191/1323239/Audit-report-lag-and-its-contemporary-issues-a?redirectedFrom=fulltext

NSU English Professor Publishes Research on Indigenous Resistance and Settler-Colonial History

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:25:15 +0000

NSU English Professor Publishes Research on Indigenous Resistance and Settler-Colonial History

Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 04/21/2026 - 08:25

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University assistant professor of English Dr. Kristen Brown has published new research in Western American Literature, the premier academic journal in its field and a publication of the University of Nebraska Press.

The article, "Listening to Unlearn: Sarah Winnemucca's Testimony and the Reversal of Civilization Discourse," examines the testimonial resistance of Sarah Winnemucca, also known as Thocmetony, or, Shell Flower, an influential 19th-century 91��Ƭ�� Paiute writer and activist. Brown analyzes how Winnemucca's 1883 publication, Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, challenges the settler-colonial "civilization" logics that justified Indigenous dispossession and the Federal Indian Boarding School System.

Brown's research connects this historical scholarship to the present, drawing attention to ongoing language revitalization efforts, including immersion schools in the region, that are restoring Native languages in communities across South Dakota. The article encourages readers to appreciate the power of listening and to support efforts toward truth, healing and reparation for boarding school survivors and their descendants.

"Sarah Winnemucca's words are more relevant than ever. Reading her text as testimony, really listening and entering the self-reflective space of witness, asks us to confront uncomfortable truths about history and to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of policies like the boarding school system," said Dr. Kristen Brown, assistant professor of English at 91��Ƭ�� State University. "I hope this research encourages readers to listen deeply, to build communities of care, and to support the healing and language revitalization work happening right here in our region."

Brown joined 91��Ƭ��'s faculty in 2022 after earning her Ph.D. in English and American Literature from the University of South Carolina, where her research was funded in part by the national Bilinski Dissertation Fellowship. Her teaching and research focus on Indigenous perspectives and environmental themes. In addition to her work in Western American Literature, she has published scholarship in Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture and a chapter offering pedagogical approaches to the works of Santee Dakota author-activist Charles Eastman/Ohiyesa. She is currently co-editing and contributing to a forthcoming collection from Routledge's Environmental Humanities Series set for publication in June 2026.

The article is available online at muse.jhu.edu/pub/17/article/983694/pdf . For more information, contact Dr. Kristen Brown at kristen.brown@91��Ƭ��.edu.

91��Ƭ�� State University Hosts Strategic Plan Town Hall April 28

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:23:59 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Hosts Strategic Plan Town Hall April 28

Chad Hatzenbuhler Mon, 04/20/2026 - 08:23

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University will host a strategic planning town hall on Tuesday, April 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Kessler's Champion Club in the Barnett Center. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are all welcome to attend.

The April 28 town hall builds on an earlier session held in December, where the Strategic Planning Design Team presented four strategic goals developed through campus and community listening sessions. The upcoming event will give attendees the opportunity to review the most recent draft of the plan before it is finalized.

"We are excited to present this draft of our new strategic plan to the campus and Aberdeen community on April 28," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of 91��Ƭ�� State University. "We are grateful to all who have participated in the process through listening sessions, serving on the design team and/or implementation team as we continue to put the finishing touches on this plan that will serve as a foundation and road map for the future success of NSU."

The event is free and open to the public.

91��Ƭ�� State University Honors Employees with Service and Performance Awards

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:58:50 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Honors Employees with Service and Performance Awards

Chad Hatzenbuhler Mon, 04/20/2026 - 07:58

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University recognized outstanding faculty and staff during its annual Employee Service Awards luncheon held Friday, April 17.

The event celebrated the dedication, professionalism and impact of employees across campus, highlighting both milestone years of service and exceptional performance in a variety of roles.

Employee Performance Awards were presented to individuals and teams nominated by their colleagues, with recipients selected through a voting process. These honors recognize employees who go above and beyond in their daily work, demonstrate leadership and make meaningful contributions to the university community and beyond.

This year's Employee Performance Award recipients include:

Vicki Evans, tutoring center director, Student Service Award – Support Services
Shelley Coats, technology integration specialist, Excellence in Performance
Jeremy Iverson, computer support analyst; Keith Griebel, director of media services; and Mike Haggerty, communications network analyst, Teamwork Award
Bea Smith, 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center director, Community Leader Service Award
Amy Johnson, simulation lab/clinical coordinator, Excellence in Management

In addition to performance honors, 91��Ƭ�� State University recognized 50 employees with Service Awards, representing a combined 625 years of employment with the state of South Dakota.

5 Years of Service: Alan Frazier, Cassandra Maillet, Sarah Meirose, Eman Momeni, Christopher Near, Daniel Shannahan, Salvador Villegas, Sean Blackburn, Lisa Foreman, Tracy Moody, Russell Entzel, John Isakson, Brandon Kusler, Stacy Bauer, Zachary Neer, Michael Abu-Sirriya, Michael Ishmael, Kiera Ball, Christina Shilman and Edwin Ruiz
10 Years of Service: Michael Bertsch, Kristi Brownfield, Amber Henderson, Audrey Miller, Tetiana White, Timothy Moffett, Paula Krueger and John Long
15 Years of Service: Ashley Gauer, Jessica Ness, Jerome Brandner, Britt Lorenz, Andrew Doerfler, Douglas Leidholt, Krista Bau, Darrell Stein, Jon Mitchell, George Nora, Rebecca Jensen and Laci Hettick
20 Years of Service: Lindsey Huber, Kami Fischbach, Steven Usitalo, Steven Gough and Keith Griebel
25 Years of Service: Jeremy Iverson
30 Years of Service: Bonnie Henjum, Julie Burckhard, Lysbeth Benkert, Ric Dias and Madia Droppers

These awards acknowledge years of commitment and dedication to public service, celebrating employees whose long-standing careers have helped shape the university and positively impact generations of students.

Employees who are retiring were also honored during the ceremony, recognizing their years of service and lasting contributions to the university community.

"Today we celebrate the people who make 91��Ƭ�� a special place," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of 91��Ƭ�� State University. "Their dedication to students, colleagues and the broader community is what drives our success."

To view photos, visit https://nrthn.com/q5JHrl

91��Ƭ�� State University Earns Two Honors at 2026 ABBY Awards; Four Faculty and Staff Complete Leadership Aberdeen

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:00:15 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Earns Two Honors at 2026 ABBY Awards; Four Faculty and Staff Complete Leadership Aberdeen

Chad Hatzenbuhler Fri, 04/17/2026 - 14:00

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University was recognized twice at the 2026 ABBY Awards, hosted by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, with assistant professor of accounting Josh VanLaecken named to the Top 4 Under 40 and the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center receiving the Cultivator of Progress Award. The evening also celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen class, which included four NSU faculty and staff members.

The ABBY Awards — Aberdeen Business Awards — recognize outstanding businesses, organizations and community leaders for excellence across a range of categories each year. This year's ceremony combined the awards program with the Leadership Aberdeen graduation for a night celebrating leaders, champions and business excellence.

VanLaecken, an assistant professor of accounting in 91��Ƭ�� State University's School of Business, was selected for the Top 4 Under 40 program, which honors young leaders between the ages of 25 and 39 who are making a positive impact in Aberdeen and Brown County through their careers, civic engagement or philanthropic efforts. Prior to entering academia, VanLaecken built a career in both public and private accounting, serving clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to locally owned small businesses. He also serves on nonprofit boards and committees in the community.

The 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center received the Cultivator of Progress Award, which recognizes a business or organization that actively drives positive change and innovation within the agribusiness, manufacturing or technology sectors. The center works with innovators, nonprofits and rural communities to launch tech startups and create digital jobs in northeastern South Dakota, embracing a fail-forward mentality and building pathways to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their concepts into companies.

Four NSU faculty and staff members were among the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen graduates: Audrey Miller, Dr. Lyncee Monson, Nicole Schutter and Shelby Serrano. Established in 1987, Leadership Aberdeen is an immersive leadership development program that runs from January through April, equipping participants with the skills, insights and connections needed to lead with purpose in their workplace and community.

NSU Annual Spring Plant Sale Set for April 21

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:40:56 +0000

NSU Annual Spring Plant Sale Set for April 21

Chad Hatzenbuhler Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:40

ABERDEEN, SD — Spring is in the air at 91��Ƭ�� State University, and the annual plant sale is back. NSU will host its spring plant sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in MeWaldt-Jensen Room 144B, the classroom adjacent to the MeWaldt-Jensen greenhouse.

The sale is open to the public and offers a great opportunity to pick up plants for the season while supporting NSU's greenhouse program. Proceeds go directly toward plants and supplies that keep the greenhouses running throughout the year.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or just looking to add a little green to your home, the NSU plant sale is a fun and affordable way to welcome the season. Cash or check only will be accepted.

For more information, contact Dr. Jodie Ramsay at jodie.ramsay@91��Ƭ��.edu.

91��Ƭ�� State University Selected for National Student Success Initiative

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:42:27 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Selected for National Student Success Initiative

Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 03/31/2026 - 12:42

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University has been selected as one of 10 institutions through the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) to participate in the Gardner Institute's Sensemaking and Strategic Prioritization process. 91��Ƭ��'s participation in the initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Gates Foundation.

The competitive opportunity supports institutions in advancing student success through a structured, data-informed, collaborative process that strengthens retention, persistence and completion. The initiative includes a comprehensive Institutional Transformation Assessment, guided sensemaking conversations, and the development of a strategic roadmap aligned to institutional priorities.

91��Ƭ�� State University's selection comes at a pivotal moment, as the university advances a new strategic planning process focused on academic innovation, student success and coordinated campus-wide efforts to support every student.

"This opportunity comes at exactly the right time for 91��Ƭ��," said Dr. Erin Fouberg, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. "We are in the middle of shaping our next strategic plan and deepening our campus-wide commitment to student success. This work will help us align our efforts and ensure every student has access to the strong, proactive academic support they need to succeed."

Through the Gardner Institute partnership, 91��Ƭ�� will engage faculty, staff and campus leaders in a collaborative process to better understand the factors that influence student success and to identify priorities that most directly improve student persistence, retention and completion.

"My Gardner Institute colleagues and I are honored and excited to partner with 91��Ƭ�� State University and COPLAC in this important work," said Drew Koch, chief executive officer of the Gardner Institute. "Institutions make the greatest progress when they develop and implement a comprehensive plan for student success. This effort will help 91��Ƭ�� State University bring together strong existing work into a more coherent whole, informed by the Institutional Transformation Assessment and the collective wisdom and contextual knowledge of its faculty and staff."

Participation in the initiative also supports 91��Ƭ��'s preparation for its upcoming Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation of accreditation in 2027, reinforcing ongoing efforts to connect strategic planning, assessment and continuous improvement.

As a member of COPLAC, 91��Ƭ�� State University joins peer institutions across the country committed to the mission of public liberal arts education and to advancing student outcomes through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based practices.

91��Ƭ�� State University to Celebrate Opening of Business and Health Innovation Center

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:32:53 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University to Celebrate Opening of Business and Health Innovation Center

Chad Hatzenbuhler Mon, 03/30/2026 - 16:32

ABERDEEN, SD — 91��Ƭ�� State University invites the public to celebrate the opening of its new Business and Health Innovation Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 4 p.m. The event will conclude at 5 p.m.

The Business and Health Innovation Center is the new home for NSU's School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences' new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Inside, the building features advanced collaborative classrooms, the Avera Nursing Simulation Center, and dedicated spaces designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world professional experience.

The building also houses the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center, a dedicated resource for entrepreneurship and regional economic development, supported by Dacotah Bank.

The facility was made possible in part through $29.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and a $1.5 million state appropriation, reflecting a significant investment from federal and state partners in the region's workforce and economic future.

"This new facility significantly enhances student success by providing the latest in technology, simulation labs, creative innovation spaces and adaptable classroom environments that prepare our business and nursing students to move seamlessly and successfully into the workforce," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of 91��Ƭ�� State University. "The large, welcoming foyer and student study spaces have already proven to be gathering places for campus events and meaningful student and faculty interaction."

The ribbon cutting and open house are free and open to the public. The Business and Health Innovation Center is located at the corner of 12th Avenue SE and South Washington Street on the 91��Ƭ�� State University campus in Aberdeen.

91��Ƭ�� State University Participates in AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum

Desiree Kolb — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:33:21 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Participates in AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum

Desiree Kolb Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:33

ABERDEEN, S.D. – 91��Ƭ�� State University is proud to announce that a multidisciplinary team of faculty and staff is participating in the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ 2025-26 Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum, a national program designed to help institutions engage thoughtfully with the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in higher education.

The institute brings together teams from colleges and universities across the country to explore how artificial intelligence can be integrated into teaching, learning, curriculum design and institutional strategy.

91��Ƭ��’s team includes Professor Jason Knowles of the School of Fine Arts, Dr. Nicole Schutter of the Millicent Atkins School of Education, Dr. Hannah Walters of the School of Business, Professor Tanya White of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Jason Henslee of Technology Services.

The cross-campus team reflects a broad range of perspectives and will focus on strengthening the university’s ability to prepare students for a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence while upholding the values of equity, ethics and academic integrity.

As part of its participation in the institute, the 91��Ƭ�� State University team will conduct research examining how students, faculty and staff understand and interact with artificial intelligence tools. Findings from that work will help inform future policy development, curriculum updates and campus support resources.

“As we prepare our students for the future workforce, understanding the wise and ethical use of AI will help position them for success,” said 91��Ƭ�� State University President Dr. Alan LaFave. “I sincerely appreciate the participation of our 91��Ƭ�� State University faculty and staff in this important AAC&U initiative and look forward to the insights they will bring back to campus as we continue to explore the role of this tool in teaching and learning.”

Participation in the institute reinforces 91��Ƭ�� State University’s commitment to instructional excellence and to preparing graduates for a changing workforce. By engaging faculty and staff from across academic areas, the university is taking a collaborative approach to artificial intelligence that supports student learning, ethical implementation and long-term institutional readiness.

For more information, contact Dr. Hannah Walters at hannah.walters@91��Ƭ��.edu.

Shaping the future of K-12 economic education: 91��Ƭ�� State University professor presents at national conference

Desiree Kolb — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:08:33 +0000

Shaping the future of K-12 economic education: 91��Ƭ�� State University professor presents at national conference

Desiree Kolb Fri, 03/06/2026 - 11:08

ABERDEEN, SD – Dr. Christian Pirlet, assistant professor of educational technology at 91��Ƭ�� State University, presented at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) annual conference in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5.

Pirlet’s presentation, “Building Economic Citizens: Critical Thinking and Decision-Making for Stronger Democracy,” focused on using reality television to teach economic decision making. Session participants received examples of how classroom teachers can use reality television to demonstrate the decision making and critical thinking as an intersection for civic and economic education. Participants viewed clips and discussed economic and civic aspects presented on. Participants left with hands on examples, lesson plans, and resources for using reality television to teach economic decision making.

The show used in the session was “The Colony” (2009), a 10-week-long controlled experiment that placed ten volunteers with diverse skill sets in a simulated post-apocalyptic environment (an abandoned downtown Los Angeles warehouse) following a catastrophic epidemic. The “colonists” focus on securing the basic necessities, purifying water, establishing power, fortifying their shelter against “marauders,” and trading with other “survivors.”

While also at the conference, Pirlet served as a representative of the International Assembly of the NCSS to the NCSS House of Delegates. A decision-making assembly of the NCSS.

“I am so proud to represent 91��Ƭ�� State University and South Dakota social studies on the national and international level. It is amazing how much of an impact our university's community can have on those around us.”

For more information, contact Dr. Christian Pirlet at 605-626-7687 or christian.pirlet@91��Ƭ��.edu.