December’s New Hawks at Work
Join us in welcoming our newest team members to the University of North Dakota!
This month, we’re excited to introduce 22 new benefited employees who bring diverse skills, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence.
HIGHLIGHTED HAWKS
To help you get to know them better, many of our new Hawks at Work have shared short introductions.
Lawrele Johnson
Lawrele started at UND on December 3 ,2024 as the Business Manager for Bismarck CFM serving the division of School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Lawrele attained a business degree from the University of Mary and spent the last 16 years as a manager for Dakota Eye Institute in Bismarck. Lawrele is looking forward to a new challenge at the Center for Family Medicine. In spare time, Lawrele likes to go camping and spend time on the pontoon.
Geoff Gaukler
Geoff started at UND on December 6, 2024 as the Workforce Development Specialist for the Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center in Education for Health & Behavior serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost. He brings years of UND experience, having worked an adjunct role for the college and most recently as a Clinical Assistant Professor for UND’s Norther Prairie Community Clinic (NPCC), where he earned his clinical counseling licensure. Geoff shared how his career plans shifted, having originally planned to become an actuary, starting his education at UND as a math major. After adjusting his major twice, he later become a middle school math teacher, which eventually led into his behavioral health career.
“I love to help others and believe that by working together, we can help support people as needs arise.”
Ethan Kobos
Ethan started at UND on December 12, 2024 as a Cybersecurity Analyst for University IT serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost. He is a UND alum, having graduated with his Bachelor’s in Cyber Security last year. Ethan is a Montana transplant, where he grew up in Kalispell Montana. In middle-school, his family moved to Arnegard, ND. He says it’s the support from staff and faculty, as well as the campus that have convinced him to stay.
Ethan shared he has four pets “My adorable Sheprador (German Shepard & Labrador mix), Hopper (who lives up to the name), my little kitten Storm, a ball python named Tally, and a corn snake named Sunny.”
Jacob Warren
Jacob started at UND on December 15, 2024 as the Director for the Center for Rural Health serving the division of School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Jacob shared that he considers Brunswick and St. Simons Island in Georgia as his hometown.
“I was drawn to this position by the amazing opportunity to work with the best team in the nation working to improve health in rural communities.
In my new role, I’m looking forward to meeting all of the staff and faculty in the Center and getting to know all of the Center’s partners across North Dakota and the country.
Arun Gandikota
Arun started at UND on December 16, 2024 as an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Associate for Aviation serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost. He was drawn to the opportunity to continue learning about UAS operations and applications and is looking forward to continuing to teach about more advanced UAS systems.
Arun shared he is from Apple Valley, Minnesota and has a Shih Tzu Bichon mix dog named Loki and over 10 fish.
Jeremy Jensen
Jeremy started at UND on December 16, 2024 as a Financial Manager for the Shared Service Center serving the division of Finance & Operations. He brings over 15 years of finance experience to the role and is looking forward to meeting the people of UND.
He shared that his childhood dream job was to be a professional basketball player, and his family has two small dogs (Snickers and Twixie) that were named by his kids. “They keep us on our toes.”
Mary Morales
Mary started at UND on December 16, 2024 with the position title of HNRC Animal Lab Technician, Human Nutrition Center (HNRC) serving the division of Research & Economic Development. She was drawn to the position as she enjoys working with animals and is looking forward to assist with research studies using the animals. She recently adopted an 5 month old american shorthair mix cat cat (Mars). Mars has a torbie coat and is full of energy! Mary shared she grew up in a military family and has lived in several states as well as oversees in Europe and Asia.
“While I don’t have a specific hometown, military bases always feel like home to me!”
Cynthia Lindquist
Cynthia started at UND on December 16, 2024 as the Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations for the division of Research & Economic Development. She brings 21 years as President of a tribal college (Cankdeska Cikana Community College) in Fort Totten, ND.
“I look forward to coming ‘home’ to UND where my education and professional career began!”
Cynthia shared she hopes to enhance the UND relationships with ND Tribes and indigenous people and is especially look forward to supporting students on their educational journey. She claims St Michael, ND on the Spirit Lake Dakota reservation as her hometown, as well as GF. When asked what her preferred ways to rewind, she shared “Reading good books!”
Jennifer Henry
Jennifer started at UND on December 16,2024 as the Finance Specialist for Biomedical Sciences serving the division of School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Her previous experience includes a background in manufacturing. She also brings previous UND experience to the role, having acted as the administrative assistant for the Epigenetics COBRE grant. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Business.
Jennifer shared that her home state is Tennessee but she has lived in North Dakota for 16 years. She added her family has one dog and one cat and that they both with quirky personalities.
Jessica Marquardt
Jessica started at UND on December 16, 2024 as the Administrative Officer for Dean’s Office serving the division of School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Her previous work experience includes supporting school district administrators and business owners, managing office operations, and providing administrative support in various healthcare settings. She shared she is looking forward to joining the SMHS staff and supporting Dean Jenkins.
Jessica is a resident of Mayville, ND with her husband Jeremy and their son Liam. Their oldest son, Oliver, is a sophomore at UND.
“My go-to comfort food is easily leftover hotdish for breakfast! ”
Ashley Snyder
Ashley started at UND on December 18,2024 as an Assistant Professor for Public Health Program serving the division of School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She brings a PhD in Population Health Sciences with an emphasis in Health Systems Research, an MPH in Epidemiology, a BS in Zoology, and a BA in Anthropology to the position. This position is her first faculty position, and she shared it supports the causes she is passionate about supporting, mainly water. Having spent a majority of her life in the Mountain West and most recently in Utah, she shared water can be huge problem. She hopes to do research in the future understand drought-tolerant crops that could replace water-loving crops currently grown in the West.
Ashley added that she was drawn to North Dakota because it is not as populated as other states, and Grand Forks is a “big city”. Her experience with the air pollution and noise pollution of big cities as well as research on the health effects of living in urban environments drives her passion in repopulating small towns for the health of both the towns and their residents.
“I also am passionate about bringing people from the cities back to small towns.”
Carla Mangino
Carla started at UND on December 30, 2024 as the Grant Analyst for the College of Engineering & Mines Research Institute serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost. She brings previous experience in revenue cycle and finance roles, having worked at Altru Health System. She is originally from the Blackduck, MN region, roughly a half hour north of Bemidji. Carla shared “If I had a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, I would go to Ireland. I have never been there, but it is on my bucket list.”
Steve Cooper
Steve started at UND on December 31, 2024 as the Chair for the Department of Social Work, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost. He attained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Stephen F. Austin State University and his PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. He has taught BSW and MSW courses with an emphasis on research, statistics, policy, community/organizational practice.
Steve shared his wife and him identify as “dog people.”. They currently have an Augi (Corgi-Australian Shepherd mix) named Olive. “She is ALL Corgi – attitude, looks, antics, etc. If you know Corgis, then you know. “ He added he likes to get outside after a long day to unwind = by fishing, scuba diving, hiking, cycling, walking camping.
“I am looking forward to exploring the outdoor opportunities North Dakota and the surrounding areas have to offer.”
In addition to our highlighted Hawks, we’re pleased to introduce the rest of our new employees who’ve joined the flock this month.
Each of them is a valuable addition, and we’re excited to see the positive contributions they’ll make!
Academic Affairs & Provost
- Vaibhav Sharma, Post Doc Research Fellow-Materials & Manufacturing Initiative, CEM Research Institute
- Harish Kolla, Cybersecurity Research Engineer I, CEM Research Institute
Finance & Operations
- Tyler Perkerewicz, Building Services Supervisor, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
- Ryan Torgerson, Warehouse Delivery Specialist, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Marjorie Jenkins, Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of SMHS
- Hayley Mulso, Medical Billing Technician, Minot Center for Family Medicine
- Wendy Schaefer, Medical Billing Technician, Minot Center for Family Medicine
Student Affairs
- Matt Martin, Dining Room Attendant, Dining Residence
- Mathew Muston, Assistant Director of Housing Operations, Housing Residence
