June’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 29 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.
Amber McCann
Amber started at UND on June 2 as the department support specialist for the College of Engineering & Mines. She was encouraged by family members who’ve worked for UND in the past and present to apply to the position. She brings 25 years of experience, having worked the last 12 years in the Amazon Business program.
Amber’s dogs are her babies. Her family has a 6 year old “chipin” (Chihuahua – minpin cross) named Scout, and recently lost their ~15 year old miniature pinscher, Chili, a year ago. Her minpin loved riding in the little carrier on the back of the motorcycle. They are training Scout to also ride, but Scout is much less enthusiastic than Chili was. Amber prefers to unwind in a hammock with a good book on the deck at home, but preferably at the lake.
Rachel Smith
Rachel began at UND on June 2 as the administrative secretary for the Department of Criminal Justice. Rachel was an English teacher prior to accepting her new role. She is excited for her career change, especially in moving to a job that provides support for UND’s staff and faculty. She was initially drawn to the role from UND’s reputation as an academic institution. Rachel and her husband have four pets: two bunnies (Charlotte and Junebug) and two cats (Lenore and Beverly).
“Winding down at the end of a busy day consists of having a cat snuggling in my lap and getting lost in a good book — I’m always reading something!”
Ryan Robinson
Ryan became a aircraft technician for UND on June 2. He is in the Flight Support Services department. Ryan recently achieved his Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic certifications. He’s worked for Cirrus Aircraft in manufacturing for the past eight years.
Ryan is originally from Maypearl, Texas. He moved up to North Dakota in 2006 to pursue a degree in Commercial Aviation at UND, where he met his now wife of seven years. He returned to school to pursue his A&P ratings through Northland in 2023. He claims aviation as a passion of his, and is happy to continue the family interest and tradition in his current role. Ryan and his wife have one daughter who is starting kindergarten this fall. He enjoys photography and focuses on landscapes, aviation, and “everyday things”.
“You never know what’s going to be ready to capture. I try to capture the little moments and bring them to light.”
Jessica Bailey
Jessica became the executive assistant to the VP Marketing & Communications on June 2. She spent the last three-and-a-half years as the Business Operations Director for the Grand Forks Public Library, and has held management and Human Resources roles over the past 11 years. Jessica is a proud UND alum and is excited to return to campus in her new role.
Aiden Packard
Aiden started at UND on June 2 as a UAS operations specialist for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site serving the division of Research & Economic Development. He shared he was drawn to the position as he saw it as an opportunity to make an impact in the unmanned aircraft system industry. Aiden likes to unwind after a busy day by playing guitar.
Ryan LaDouceur
Ryan began at UND on June 25 as the assistant director for event services management & production for the Memorial Union serving the division of Student Affairs. Ryan previously worked as support staff for the Men’s Hockey team for six years. He is originally from Grand Forks and is excited to work with new people and departments across the University. He shared he feels nostalgic for the early 2000s (the ‘aughts’) when he sees old videos or pictures from that time and it remains his favorite decade.
Brianna Tetrault
Brianna started at UND on June 2 as a medical laboratory scientist for Student Health Services serving the division of Student Affairs. She brings prior experience, having previously worked in higher education before. She is highly credentialed, having attained her Medical Lab Science certification, her Clinical Lab Practice North Dakota certification, and her American Society for Clinical Pathology board certification. Brianna is originally from the Greater Grand Forks area, having grown up in East Grand Forks, Minn.
Annalyce Azure
Annalyce became one of UND TRIO programs’ instructor/advisors on June 2, serving the division of Student Affairs. She is returning to UND, having previously worked as a career mentor for UND Career Services as a student. She was inspired to apply for the role due to TRIO’s work with first-generation students. Annalyce is originally from Belcourt, N.D., on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. She is fascinated with Greece and reading about Greek mythology. She hopes one day to visit and see Grecian architecture.
“I witnessed firsthand the struggles that first-generation students face when it came to going to college after finishing high school. I liked the idea of being a part of this program so that I can help guide those students.”
Jennifer Rutherford
Jennifer joined UND on June 9 as the admissions & marketing specialist for Physician Assistant Studies serving the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She brings over two decades of experience in logistics and retail management. Most recently, she’s worked in marketing within the nonprofit and social services industry. Jennifer saw the position as a rewarding opportunity to support students navigating the PA program from their first semester to when they graduate.
Jennifer is originally from Illinois and is a proud Northern Illinois University Alum Husky. She and her family have called Grand Forks home for the past 11 years. She and her husband have four kids, ranging from two years old to 16. They have two cats and are looking to add a dog to their family. She prefers to unwind and prepare for the day with a 5a.m. workout and a true crime podcast playing.
Zachary Hooper
Zachary joined UND on June 9 as a housing custodian for Housing Residence serving the division of Student Affairs. This is his first foray into higher education – his previous experience was mainly in fast food and retail. Zachary is originally from Simms, Texas. He likes to unwind by spending time with his fiancé and 7-month-old son and playing video games.
Tony Eichten
Tony started at UND on June 16 as the logistics assistant for the Office of Extended Learning. He brings previous experience from non-profit management for Scouting America (BSA), asset protections, and the Post Office. He has a passion for helping others and is looking forward to learning and improving in his position.
Tony is originally from Jordan, Minn., home of Minnesota’s biggest candy store, Jim’s Apple Barn. He has two tri-color rough collies, Olive and Pepper. He credits both dogs with being outrageously helpful when it comes to planting the garden.
Ethan Wosick
Ethan became a lead academic Custodian at UND on June 11 for Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance serving the division of Finance & Operations. He returns to UND, having previously worked in the same position. He’s excited to return to the University, and hopes one day to obtain his commercial driver’s license.
“Being a lead and someone to be counted upon gives me meaning and I enjoy doing it.”
Kris Blackfeather
Kris began at UND on June 17 as a academic custodian for Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance serving the division of Finance & Operations. Kris is looking forward to working with new people each day and begin a different adventure in their new role. Kris has one pet, a cat they say gets all their love. Their favorite food is frybread and wojapi, a berry pudding.
Maddie Baeten
Maddie joined UND on June 23 as an academic advisor for the AVP for Student Success. This is her first role in higher education – she was originally a middle school history teacher. While she attended college, she assisted the study abroad office in marketing and promotion. She is looking forward to learning from the students she’ll be advising and what those same students will achieve.
Originally from Green Bay, Wisc., Maddie’s been a Packers fan as long as she can remember. She has lived in both the United Kingdom and Germany for a few months and shared one of her favorite places to visit was Liverpool, as she’s a fan of the Beatles.
Robert Cooper
Robert became an academic advisor, for the AVP for Student Success on June 23. This is Robert’s first position in higher education, but he’s previously worked in customer service and administrative assistance previously. He’s originally from California, having moved to Missouri and Montana, and finally Lignite, N.D., sharing his graduating class consisted of a total of 11 classmates.
He has achieved a bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre, as acting and singing is his passion.
“Life has taught me is that as long as you have a roof over your head and food on the table, you should always do what makes you happy.”
Kyle Shropshire
Kyle started at UND on June 23 as a aircraft dispatcher for Flight Operations. Kyle was previously a professional figure skater with “Disney on Ice”. After six years, he moved on to coaching and directing skating programs. Kyle stated he was drawn to the aviation program’s reputation and UND’s community. He’s originally from Illinois, just outside of Chicago. Kyle hopes one day to visit Italy and Japan, as they are his favorite destinations.
Alexia Langowski
Alexia joined UND’s AVP Student Success on June 30 as an academic advisor. She brings previous education experience, having worked as a multilingual paraprofessional to Grand Forks Public Schools’ high school students. Alexia is a UND alum, having achieved a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and a certificate in Spanish.
Alexia has a 6-year-old Pitbull mix named Cinnamon. Cinnamon loves to meet new people and has an amazing personality, but unfortunately doesn’t get along with other animals. She loves to unwind after a busy day with a quick nap and taking Cinnamon for a walk or going to the gym.
Jenna Jorgensen
Jenna started at UND on June 30 as the director for alumni & external relations for the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office. She previously worked for Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, and Colgate University. She is a UND alum, having graduated in 2014.
Jenna and her husband are avid travelers, having recently visited Bannf National Park while attending the Canadian Gymnastics National Championships in Calgary. They also went to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. She prefers to unwind watching “Wheel of Fortune”, followed up with reading a thriller book or completing some embroidery projects.
Katie Barta
Katie became a faculty affairs specialist for UND’s Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs on June 30. She’s happy to break into the higher education sector, as it’s been a goal of hers since 2016. She has two energetic German Shorthairs and likes to unwind in her garden, reading with her kids, or taking a long walk on the greenway.
Sid Anderson Weisgram 
Sid joined UND on June 30 as a the utility coordinator for Dining Residence serving the division of Student Affairs. He brings 17 years of experiencing, having worked over a decade in kitchens, dining services and customer service relations. He and his wife enjoy unwinding at home, cooking, using their hot tub, or playing good music while sitting by the fire.
Sid and his wife have seven pets. A Border Collie named Barron, two Great Danes, Saiorse and Siobahn, and four cats: Xena, Myshka, Astrid, and Salem.
In addition to our highlighted Hawks at Work, we’re pleased to introduce the rest of our new employees who’ve joined campus this month.
Each of them is a valuable addition, and we’re excited to see the positive contributions they’ll make!
Academic Affairs & Provost
- Ella Centola, air traffic control associate, Aviation
- Zvika Shinar, research associate professor, Biomedical Engineering, CEM Research Institute
- Maggie Oelke, customer service specialist, Office of Extended Learning
Finance & Operations
- Walter Butzer, academic custodian, Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance
Office of the President
- Matthew Smaby, associate head coach – Men’s Hockey, Athletics
Research & Economic Development
- Erin Theriot, autonomous systems operations lead, RIAS
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Zaki Ur Rahman Mohammed, research, faculty and conference coordinator, Internal Medicine
- Mark Dykstra, simulation technician, UND Simulation Center
Student Affairs
- Emily Ivey, evening cook, Dining Residence
- Lindsey McIntire, cook, Dining Support Services
