July’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 25 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.
Audrey Robinson
Audrey started at UND on July 1 as the personal & professional development program coordinator for the Office of Extended Learning. She has a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in teaching English as a secondary language (ESL/TESOL). She has also achieved her Cambridge CELTA and has years of experience teaching ESL to the adult continuing education community in the United States, Singapore and Germany, and most recently at North Central Texas College.
Audrey said her passion for lifelong learning and enriching the lives of adult learners drew her to the position. Originally from California, she spent her childhood in both Alaska and Colorado. She enjoys going for a walk or a bike ride to decompress after a busy day, with cooking and golf being her favorite weekend hobbies.
Sky Lafountain
Sky joined UND on July 1 as an academic custodian for Facilities Maintenance – Custodial/Maintenance. He has had family members who previously worked for the University, and was excited to join campus based on their experiences. He hopes to one day visit Europe and Japan.
Jean-Philippe Lamoureux
Jean-Philippe became UND’s the Men’s Hockey director of player personnel & office operations on July 1. A 2008 UND graduate, Jean-Philippe brings 17 years of professional hockey experience and NHL analytics experience. Originally from the Grand Forks area, he moved at 16 to pursue his hockey career. He returned in 2004 to play for UND.
Jean-Philippe has lived the past 14 years in Austria with his family, all of whom were born in Austria.
“I want to be great at what I do and hope to contribute a green banner to Men’s Hockey.”
Paige Peterson
Paige started at UND’s Sports Medicine department as an instructor/assistant athletic trainer on July 1. She is a proud UND alumnus, and is looking forward to being back on campus, contributing to the culture and student experience she enjoyed. Paige most recently worked for Hampton University, and is excited to apply the lessons and experiences she learned there to her work for the University.
Page is originally from New Prague, Minn., and has one pet; a two year-old golden retriever named Tilly.
Maranda Paasch
Maranda joined UND on July 1 as the TRIO Programs newest instructor/advisor. She has a master’s in HR management and business administration from Columbia Southern University, having graduated in 2023. Her passion for helping others led her initially to exploring the medical field, aiming to eventually become a pediatrician. She pivoted her sophomore year to a major that would allow her to teach disadvantaged students, helping them to learn and become successful adults.
Maranda has two pets. One is a seven year-old chocolate lab named Lucy, and the other is a orange cat affectionately named “Nordy,” whom her children adopted as a stray.
Vithal Damidi
Vithal became UND’s Resource Planning Allocation financial analyst on July 14. He is excited to use the skills he’s cultivated in data and technology in a setting where the work feels meaningful. He’s looking forward to meeting new people on campus and learning about the University.
Vithal’s dream job was to be a pilot, hoping to travel and see new places. Now he likes to relax by taking evening strolls or cooking while listening to music to clear his mind.
“I was looking for a place where I can grow while also being part of a community.”
David Varriano
David began his career at UND on July 21 as the administrative secretary for the Music department. He brings five years of prior experience and a bachelor’s degree in university studies from Mayville State University. David is originally from Hatton, ND and has a boxer named Oakley.
Storey Gillen
Storey started at UND on July 21 as the Department of Biomedical Sciences’ administrative assistant. She has a bachelor of science in business management from the Berea College, in Kentucky, as well as extended experience working in higher education in the southeast United States.
Storey is originally from southern Ohio, having just moved to Grand Forks with her husband. She enjoys chatting about animals, cooking, nature, and “various nerdy things”.
Jake Solberg
Jake joined UND on July 21 as the campus recreation coordinator for Wellness & Health Promotion. He brings almost 15 years of experience in parks and recreation, having started as a rec coordinator in Williston, N.D., and enjoys offering people the opportunity to improve their quality of life. Originally from Silver Bay, Minn., Jake obtained a sport and recreation management degree from the University of Minnesota in Crookston. He enjoys unwinding by spending time with his family.
Ron Ostgard
Ron became one of UND’s academic custodians for Facilities Management – Custodial/Maintenance on July 24. He previously worked for public school districts as a custodian and is looking forward to serving campus, especially assisting in the maintenance of the new buildings.
Ron is an avid hockey fan. It’s his favorite sport, and one day he hopes to travel through all Canadian cities whose teams, players or coaches have made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“My favorite decade(s) is pre-1980, before hockey helmets donned face masks.”
Logan Brown
Logan began at UND on July 28 as one of University IT’s user support specialists. He previously was a student employee, having worked as a computer repair technician. He has achieved a certificate in data analytics from Microsoft and hopes to attain his bachelor’s degree in information system next May.
Logan is originally from Fargo, N.D. and shared he has one pet; a white tree frog named “Qwerty.”
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 are a valuable addition, and we’re excited to see the positive contributions they’ll make!
Academic Affairs & Provost
- Stuart Hutt, UAS Associate Aviation
- Syed Shabhi Haider, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Optical Measurements CEM Research Institute
- Moones Alamooti, Teaching Assistant Professor Energy & Petroleum Engineering
- Joe Tweet, Records Specialist Flight Operations
- Yoonsun Jeong, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Tenure Track Marketing Dept
- Jim Wade, Open Rank Teaching Professor, Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering
- Josh Gillen, Teaching Assistant Professor, Interim Associate Director of Bands Music
Finance & Operations
- Mike Bemis, Parking Services Lot Support Tech FM-Parking Services
Research & Economic Development
- Travis Nelson, Post Doctorate Research Associate- Human Factors Psychology RIAS
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Vanessa Magstadt, Family Medicine Physician (Assistant Professor) Bismarck CFM
Student Affairs
- Peggi Bork, Evening Cook Dining Residence
- Jason Archer, Housing Custodian Housing Residence
- Sophia Galvan, Resident Director Housing Residence
