Leaders in Action: Bringing confidence into focus
Visual Arts student Tucker Schoneberg discovers his passion for photography and the confidence to share his work with the world
For Tucker Schoneberg, finding his path at the University of North Dakota took a few detours. After exploring five different majors, including aviation and pre-med, the Rugby, N.D., native discovered that his longtime interest in photography could become a career.
Schoneberg, now a visual arts major, began taking photos in high school, capturing sporting events and entering photography contests. It wasn’t until he took classes with UND photography professor Suzanne Gonsalez-Smith that he began to see himself as an artist.
With encouragement from faculty mentors, Schoneberg gradually overcame his reluctance to share his work. Through exhibitions, critiques and opportunities to showcase his photography, he developed confidence in his abilities and learned to embrace feedback.
“My confidence has grown with that,” Schoneberg said. “I want other people’s opinions on my work, and learning how to take those opinions not in a negative way, but as constructive criticism, has been a really big part of it too.”
Beyond the classroom, Schoneberg is a founding member and vice president of UND’s Printmaking Club. He also spent a month studying abroad in South Korea during summer 2026, an experience that expanded his perspective.
Schoneberg hopes to pursue a career as a photographer or photojournalist for National Geographic. Wherever his path leads, he credits UND faculty with helping recognize the value of his work.
