January’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 38 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.
Jueming Hu
Jueming began her position of Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering for Mechanical Engineering, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost on January 1, 2025. Prior to joining the university, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University at Galveston with Dr. Irfan Khan. Jueming also conducted postdoctoral research at Arizona State University with Dr. Zhe Xu. She brings a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University and a master’s degree. Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, formal methods, and optimization, with applications to autonomous systems.
Jueming recently visited Yosemite National Park, where she was captivated by the countless stars lighting up the evening sky. She shared enjoys unwinding by spending time with her family and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Moh Rasouli
Moh started as the Director of the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost on January 1, 2025. He brings a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and a License as a Professional Engineer to the position. His previous experience includes serving as the Department Chair and a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Pennsylvania State University in Erie, PA. In addition, Moh brings seven years of industry experience. Moh is a seasoned traveler and hopes to continue exploring the world – hopefully going to the Himalayas one day, as he likes to unwind by spending time in nature.
Sumaiya
Sumaiya started as a Academic Advisor for Aerospace, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost Deans Office as of January 2, 2025. She brings a masters degree of science in Mathematics to the position and shared she was drawn to the position because she loves working with students. She is originally is from Saudia Arabia, though her parents are from Bangladesh, as a result is is a polyglot fluent in five languages. Sumaiya shared that after a long day she likes to unwind with a spa day at home, watching a comfy movie.
Grace Pfennig
Grace started as the Administrative Secretary for Student Affairs & Admissions, serving the School of Medicine & Health Sciences as of January 2, 2025. She is currently obtaining her bachelors degree in Psychology here at UND. She shared she is looking to connecting with those in our community and building relationships. Grace is originally from Velva, ND, a small town in central North Dakota. She has a cat named Fig who “loves to play and find trouble!”
Sarah Giauque
Sarah joined UND as the Utility Coordinator for Dining Residence, serving the division of Student Affairs as of January 2, 2025. She shared she enjoys cleaning and is looking forward to her role, as she enjoys working.
Nehemiah Broten
Nehemiah started as a Air Traffic Control Associate for Aviation, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 6, 2025. A recent UND alum with a bachelors in Air Traffic Management, he has a love for Air Traffic Control, which is what drew him to the position. While he was born in Minnesota, he spent a majority of his childhood in Centra Africa, due to his family’s work as missionaries in the area. He’s a hockey fan who enjoys watching UND or Wild hockey as a way to unwind.
Grace Mulinga
Grace started as a Air Traffic Control Associate for Aviation, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 6, 2025. She shared the position was an opportunity to implement the knowledge she has gained from her aviation courses and hopes to help other students. She hopes this position will help her review and understand materials to better assist her fellow students. Her current career is far different from her dream job as a child: Grace shared he used to dream of being a teacher, and would even hold class sessions for her cousins and friends, pretending to lecture on math and reading.
“I know how crucial they [ATC associates] are in assisting students.”
Mitchell Sueker
Mitchell began as a Post Doc Research Fellow – Biomedical Engineering for the College of Engineering & Mines, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 6, 2025. He is looking forward to continuing research at UND, and being able to continue working with other students and faculty whom he enjoyed collaborating with during his PhD. This is his first experience in higher education, and he shared he is excited to learn and grow from the faculty at UND. Mitchell added he accomplished one of his dream jobs (Engineer), although admitted as a child he was unsure what an engineer did, only that it involved math and science and he loved both of those subjects.
Mitchell shared he hopes to visit Japan one day, as his family hosted a foreign exchange student (Natsuki) and she taught them about Japanese culture. He hopes to visit that country to catch up with Natsuki and meet her family.
Becky Rhoades
Becky began as the Activity Course & Field Experience Coordinator for Education, Health & Behavior, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 6, 2025. She brings previous UND experience, having worked as an activities course instructor since 2012. She has served as the interim coordinator for the activities courses over the past year and a half, and is looking forward to settling into her new role.
Becky added she has three cats. Jerry, a 17 year old senior, is a black American long hair cat while George (16) is an all white short hair. Thor is a combination of the two, a short hair Tuxedo kitten. She shared she likes to read and crochet to unwind after a busy day, and that in 2024 she read 152 books (almost three books a week).
“I am excited to be a part of the move to Kinesiology’s new home, Education Northwest.”
Paula Bradbury
Paula started as the Admissions & Marketing Specialist for Physician Assistant Studies, serving the School of Medicine & Health Sciences as of January 6, 2025. She previously worked for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, which allowed her to work with the wonderful alumni of university. She shared she is super excited to now work the students and share her love for UND. Paula added she loves to travel, especially when its to a place with warm weather, sand, and water. Her favorite spots are the Isla Roatan Honduras and Cabo San Lucas Mexico. She hopes to travel to Annapolis, Maryland to visit the US Naval Academy in the future.
Sara Wallace
Sara began as the Chemistry Stockroom & Safety Technician for Chemistry serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 7, 2025. She brings a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences from Adrian College in Adrian, MI. She shared she is looking forward to supporting the Chemistry Department as the new lead Safety and Stockroom Technician. Sara was born and raised in Hillsdale, MI, a rural own in the southeast of Michigan. Sara added she has two cats, Melanie (4) and Dennis (2).
Marshall Braaten
Marshall started as an Operations Center Specialist for the Office of Emergency Management, serving the division of Finance & Operations as of January 15, 2025. Marshall saw it as an opportunity to utilize their extensive experience in security and the desire to work at the best university in the state of North Dakota. Born in Grand Forks and raised in Manvel, ND, Marshall shared they always wanted to go sky diving and one day build their own indoor rock climbing wall.
“What drew me to this position was…my desire to work at the best University in the State of North Dakota.”
John MacLeod
John started as an Admissions Counselor for the School of Law, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 21, 2025. He brings a Bachelor’s of Arts in History from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, where he worked as an admissions counselor and continued in that role for two years after graduation. He also currently serves in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
Esteban Dominguez
Esteban started as a Moves & Maintenance Specialist for Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance, serving the division of Finance & Operations as of January 21, 2025. He brings previous experience as a maintenance and ground facility worker. The role required working on machinery, assembly equipment, fixing electrical on trailers, equipment, and building. He’s worked in removing snow and debris using skids, lifts, fork lifts, excavator, etc. He is passionate about helping other and furthering his career.
Amilia Funkhouser
Amilia began as the Instruction Coordinator and Advisor for TRIO Programs, serving the division of Student Affairs as of January 22, 2025. She previously worked for UND as a Resident Assistant in UND Housing, and is excited to return to the University and work at her Alma Mater.
Roehl Sybing
Roehl started as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, Behavioral Health for Education, Health & Behavior, serving the division of Academic Affairs & Provost as of January 27, 2025. He specializes in qualitative research methodology, and moving from language education and sociolinguistics to public health offers him an opportunity to refine his research skills, which is what initially drew him to the position.
He brings a PhD in Education from the University of Massachusetts, and has been an educator primarily in language education in various contexts in Japan and the United States since 2004. As a researcher, he has conducted observations of classroom teaching and interviews with teachers and students about their experiences in education.
Roehl shared some personal details about his life, adding he and his wife brought a pet chinchilla named Kinako from Japan and that he loves to jog and cook, and rewards himself after workouts with fresh pasta or making sushi.
“I have completed six marathons for fun, which gives me the opportunity to run long distance to places I wouldn’t otherwise drive to.”
Kelsie Carrier
Kelsie returns to UND as a Senior Human Resources Manager for the Office of Human Resources serving the division of Finance & Operations as of January 31, 2025. She worked previously in the same position from 2019 – 2022, after which she took a few years to care for her family’s third child. She brings a passion for higher education and shared she is thrilled to connect back with those whom she previously supported as well as meeting all the new faces.
Kelsie provided some personal details, sharing her hometown is Devils Lake, ND and her family has two dogs: a Cavachon named Zoey and Bernedoodle named Bear. She shared her preferred way to unwind is a glass of red wine and a book.
Jess Givens
Jess started as the Assistant Coach – Strength & Conditioning for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 13, 2025. Jess brings a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, with a minor in Science of Coaching in 2022 from UW-Eau Claire, a Master’s in Strength & Conditioning from UW-River Falls, and holds Strength & Conditioning Specialist certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), Reflexive Performance Reset Level 2 (RPR L2), Precision Nutrition Level 1 (PNL1), and is First Aid, AED/CPR certified.
She previously worked as the Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Saint Mary’s of Minnesota. She oversaw men’s soccer & basketball, women’s hockey & fast pitch softball, cross country, and assisted with hockey camps over the summer from youth to junior level competition. Prior to her position at Saint Mary’s she interned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from Jan 2023 – March 2023, where she assisted with the men’s and women’s hockey, basketball, and women’s tennis teams. She served as a Graduate Assistant overseeing the women’s hockey, soccer and lacrosse programs. Additionally, she was the assistant for the football, men’s hockey, men’s basketball, volleyball, and tennis teams.
Jess shared she enjoys working out, reading, snowboarding, skating, watching sporting events, playing video games, and cooking in her free time.
Jimmy Stika
Jimmy started as the Director of Operations – Volleyball for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 15, 2025. He brings previous experience coaching, with UND being the third university he’s coached at. He spent a season as an assistant at Saint Louis University and five years as a head coach at Fontbonne University. He shared he was drawn to the position via the fantastic coaching staff and players he had the opportunity to work with, along with the community and administrative support of all of our athletic programs on campus!
Originally from St. Louis, MO, he’s a Cardinals fan. He shared his go-to comfort food is pizza and is seeking recommendations for a new favorite pizza place in GF.
UND’s New Football Coaches
Eric Schmidt
Eric started as Head Coach – Football for Athletics serving the Office of the President as of January 1, 2025. He brings a plethora of work experience in education, having previously worked for San Diego State, University of Washington, Fresno State University, University of North Dakota, Southern Illinois University, and Crookston High School. Eric is originally from Mandan, ND and shared Mexican food is his go-to comfort food.
“[I’m] looking forward to making playing football at UND the most incredible experience of a young mans life.”
Ben Watkins
Ben started as the Assistant Football Coach – Defense (LB) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 3, 2025. He brings previous higher education experience, having worked at Peru State College in Nebraska, Northern State University in South Dakota, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and California State University-Fresno. He brings almost a decade of college football experience to the position, in addition to his bachelor’s and master’s in education. He shared he is looking forward to being back in the Dakotas and helping UND athletics improve in all areas. Ben is originally from Omaha, Nebaska and added he is attaining his dream job – to be a coach.
Gordie Haug
Gordie started as the Assistant Football Coach – Offense (TE) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 7, 2025. He was drawn to the opportunity to work with Eric Schmidt (UND’s new Football Head Coach) and moving closer to home. He brings previous experience, having worked for Bemidji State, North Dakota State University, and Wyoming. Gordie is originally from Crookston, MN and shared his favorite food is tacos.
Keaton Wilkerson
Keaton began as the Assistant Football Coach – Defense (Safeties) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 7, 2025. He has served as the graduate assistant for the football team for two season for the University of Washington. Originally born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming, he shared he is looking forward to getting out into the Grand Forks community and building relationships.
“I am fortunate enough to be living my dream job of being a football coach.”
Jon Anderson
Jon started as the Assistant Football Coach – Defense (Edges) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 8, 2025. He brings 26 years of college football experience, with 10 years as a Head Coach. He shared he is excited to help implement Coach Schmidt’s vision of a dominant football program. Originally from Maryville, Mo, he shared his comfort food is steak and baked potato.
Malik Bradshaw
Malik started as the Assistant Football Coach – Offense (WR) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 15, 2025. He brings previous coaching experience, having worked as an assistant football coach – running backs with Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He shared his dram job was to be on the television as a broadcast journalist. Another life goal is to visit every continent.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the elevation of a football program and university that is on the rise.”
DJ Davis
DJ started as an Assistant Football Coach – Offense (RB) for Athletics, serving the Office of the President as of January 22, 2025. He shared football has been a passion of his for a long time and there is nothing more fulfilling to him than using this platform to pour into young men to reach their full potential on and off the field. Originally from from Pompano Beach, FL, he confided his go-to comfort food is homecooked soul food. He added he is looking forward to new heights and new relationships with his new role here at UND.
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
- Taliah Brown, Air Traffic Control Associate, Aviation
- Hyun Jung Min, Research Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, CEM Research Institute
- James Sullivan, Lecturer, College of Engineering & Mines
- Tugba Boz Toguslu, Assistant Professor of Instructional Design & Technology, Education, Health & Behavior
Finance & Operations
- Justin Fischer, Academic Custodian, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
- Brenda Serrano, HR Assistant, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
- Travis Moreno, Zone Landscape Specialist, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
Office of the President
- Tyson Maeva, Assistant Football Coach – Defense (DT), Athletics
- Tanner Bjerke, Senior Internal Auditor, Internal Auditing
Research & Economic Development
- Nathanael Rendon, UAS Operations Specialist, Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site
- Kirbie Smalley, Associate Dean for Research & Associate Vice President for Research & Discovery Development, Population Health
- Smalley serves the SMHS in his role as ADR, and the Division of Research & Economic Development in his role as AVPRDD
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Sreekar Nagaraju, Research Specialist – Takaku Lab, Biomedical Sciences
- Kirbie Smalley, Associate Dean for Research & Associate Vice President for Research & Discovery Development, Population Health
- Smalley serves the SMHS in his role as ADR, and the Division of Research & Economic Development in his role as AVPRDD
