All Staff

As the Director of the Career and Advising Center, Becky is striving to create a team focused on providing a holistic approach to the student experience. From first year students to alumni, the Career and Advising Center is ready to support these individuals and to create positive partnerships with our NDSU community and beyond.

Before joining the Career and Advising Center, Becky spent the last 15 years at NDSU in Residence Life, overseeing all live-in professional and student staff, the curriculum experience and crisis management. Prior to NDSU, Becky was a hall coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. She earned a B.S. in Athletic Training from the University of North Dakota and a M.S. in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. Currently, Becky is working towards her PhD in the School of Education focusing on Organizational Learning and Leadership. Becky has been working with teams on developing curriculum since 2008 and continues to support groups today in this process including serving as faculty for the American College Personnel Association’s Institute on the Curricular Approach and the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) STARS College. Becky currently serves as the co-chair for the NDSU University Retention Committee has strong professional interests including student leadership, advising, well-being in student affairs and supervision and leadership models.

Becky and her husband Mickey live in the Fargo area with their two children and two dogs (Thunder and Storm). They enjoy traveling, relaxing at the lake and spending time with friends and family.

As the Assistant Director of Academic Advising within the Career and Advising Center, Andrea oversees the academic advising for undeclared students and advising for a few groups of first and second year students. Working with undeclared students mean we know a little bit about all of the majors on campus. One of the best parts of our job is getting to connect with so many others on campus so we can best help students explore options and learn about all NDSU has to offer!

To schedule an appointment with Andrea:
https://ndsu.campus.eab.com/pal/uBVGba7Zc7

Jerry South is the Assistant Director of Career Coaching. His mission is to help develop students into professional employees by engaging them from their first introduction to NDSU through graduation and beyond. Jerry oversees an extremely motivated and talented staff driven to help prepare every student for the evolution from a classroom to a ‘career everywhere’! He holds a Master of Science in Educational Technology from DeVry University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Chapman University, California. After retiring from the Air Force in 2012 after 23 years of service, Jerry served as Chief of Education & Training at Travis Air Force Base, CA in the San Francisco Bay area. He has worked in educational roles teaching military students and managing five college satellite campuses serving the educational needs of the military, their families, and retired veterans.

As one of the Assistant Directors in the office, Alli oversees all aspects of the Career and Advising Center’s Internship Program and other employer engagement initiatives. In this role, Alli works collaboratively with key stakeholders, including staff, faculty, employers, and alumni to ensure high quality internship opportunities and experiences are available for all students. She also works to increase the prominence of all internships happening on-campus, in the region, and across the nation. Alli holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Concordia and holds a master’s degree in Counseling and Student Affairs from MSUM. Prior to coming to NDSU, Alli was high school English teacher and dance team coach. In her spare time, you can find Alli on the golf course with her partner, Brock, or spending time with their rescue pup, Stella.

Jessie is the Assistant Director of Student Success Initiatives in the Career and Advising Center. Jessie has oversight of two main programs, which include, the Bachelor of University Studies degree and the Degree Completion Program. She enjoys working with students on an individual basis, finding out what their goals are and helping them achieve those goals.

Jessie works with students in the Bachelor of University Studies program to help them design an individualized degree program that best fits their interests and career goals. She teaches the UNIV 489 Capstone course required for this degree. This course includes self-exploration and reflection along with career development strategies

The Degree Completion Program on campus serves to help students who never finished their undergraduate degree return to NDSU and complete a Bachelor’s degree. Jessie serves as the main point of contact, helping students navigate their return, and helping them find opportunities within the classroom that will help them find success.

Jessie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and French from Concordia College and her Master’s degree in Community Counseling from North Dakota State University. At home, Jessie enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter, being outside, reading, golfing and getting together with friends and family.

To schedule an appointment with Jessie:
Use the “Schedule an Appointment” button on the right.
Login -> Click “Get Assistance”
Select “Advising”
Follow the drop-down menus based on your need
Select “Career and Advising Center” for location
Select my name and schedule the appointment.

Lindsay plans and implements marketing and communication strategies for the promotion of events and services that the Career and Advising Center offers including Career Fairs, new student recruitment, and orientation. She is responsible for communicating events and services via print, website, social media, and email marketing. She has an eye for photography and digital design and enjoys being behind the camera. Lindsay has a bachelors degree from NDSU and is excited to be back on campus. In her free time, you will find her reading, hiking, sewing, and watching reality TV.

Brandon Schutz is a Career Coach at the NDSU Career and Advising Center.  As a Career Coach, Brandon helps make sure students are prepared to enter the workforce by providing such services as resume reviews, grad school application assistance, major/career exploration, mock interviews and many other areas.  He believes that it’s never too early to think about the future, and students are most successful post-graduation if they have spent time working on the career skills that the NDSU Career and Advising Center can provide.

Brandon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Minnesota State University of Moorhead and plans on finishing a Master’s Degree in the near future.  Prior to coming to NDSU, Brandon was an Area Director for Tamarack Hall (Tallest Building in Beltrami County) at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Originally from Dawson, Minnesota, Brandon enjoys a good book, a good time, or a good conversation.

Alex (he/him/his) is an Academic Advisor in the Career and Advising Center. In his role, he works with undeclared students to figure out their interests and passions and to achieve academic success. Alex strongly believes in the power of education. He is happy to be part of the Bison community to help students discover themselves, accomplish their goals, and grow in ways they never thought possible.

Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Luther College, and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. He originally had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, but his work-study experiences at his undergrad’s Career Center and TRIO program helped him discover his passion for helping students succeed. His previous experiences include positions in career centers, TRIO Student Support Services, and academic success coaching. In his spare time, he loves watching movies and shows, playing board games, finding new places to eat, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Libby joined our office in October of 2021. As the Events Manager, Libby plans and coordinates events for the Career and Advising Center such as our annual career fairs, as well as other on-campus events to help promote our resources to students and alumni.

Originally from Montana, Libby moved to the area for college, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Global Studies from Concordia College. Prior to coming to NDSU, she worked as a Culture Champion for a BPO company, focusing on event planning and employee engagement. Outside of work, Libby enjoys hiking and camping with her husband, reading, and trying out new recipes.

As the Office Manager of the Career and Advising Center, Mary is a connected team player with a positive attitude and passion for helping others. She loves gardening, baking, biking, and spending time with her children and grandchild. She excels in communication, creativity and problem solving. Her favorite part of her job is meeting and helping students who seem a little overwhelmed connect with the right person to problem solve, hopefully leaving them walking out our doors with a smile on their faces!

As an Academic and Career Advisor Jill will be working with 1^st and 2^nd year Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering students.

Jill graduated with her Bachelors in Child Development and Family Science from NDSU and is excited to be back on campus again!  She has over 10 years in higher education, starting out in Financial Aid and eventually finding her home in Advising.  Her favorite part about advising is connecting with students to build those relationships and helping them find a solution to help them be successful in their program and get them to graduation.

Jill lives in North Fargo with her husband her 3 children: Abigail, Henry and James.  When she isn’t taking her kids to activities and events she loves getting out to the lake when the North Dakota weather allows, spending time with her large extended family and getting together with friends.

Name Pronunciation: RAH-nee Ba-ZAN-son

Rani Bezanson is an Academic Advisor for the Pathway Program for the Career and Advising Center. Rani is excited to work with the NDSU students, and support the development of the whole student, both academically and personally. Rani looks forward to enhancing the college experience for each student. Rani’s background is specifically in career development and student success. Rani holds various certificates related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, social and restorative justice, and inclusive teaching. Rani earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with her published research in gender stereotypes in sports from the University of Minnesota, Morris. She received her Master of Science in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Additionally, She likes to keeps snacks in her office for students when they get hungry during their appointments.

In Rani’s free time, she enjoys cheering for the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Rani is passionate about weight lifting, while also balancing her love for McDonald’s French Fries. Ask Rani about her favorite place to eat Indian food in Fargo, ND. She resides in Fargo with her Havapoo puppy named Clyde.

As the Employer Partnerships Manager, Nicole’s goal is to help guide employers in their recruiting strategy at NDSU and connect them with academic departments, student organizations, students, and alumni. In her position, Nicole will work to build new relationships and maintain connections with employers in the FM area and beyond.

Nicole is originally from Cavalier, North Dakota, but has lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area for the last ten years. She received her bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science as well a master’s degree in Counseling and Student Affairs, all from Minnesota State University Moorhead. After graduate school, Nicole started working at NDSU in the Student Activities Office and is excited at the opportunity to continue working at NDSU and be a Bison! Outside of work, she enjoys time with her dogs, Quinn and Auggie, biking, reading, doing puzzles, and playing board games.

As a Senior Career Coach, Olivia works diligently to provide guidance, tools, and resources to students, faculty, and staff in order to assist students and alumni in their career endeavors. Olivia has worked with the Career and Advising Center since the end of 2015 and has enjoyed every year she has spent serving the NDSU community. As part if her role, she oversees the Career Mentor Program within the center, where she is dedicated to training student mentors in assisting their peers on campus. The Career Mentors are an integral part in the CAC’s ability to serve as many students, and alumni as possible.

Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in Management Communication with a minor in Psychology from NDSU where she spent much of her time rooting on the Bison as a member of the Gold Star Marching Band. She continues to cheer on the Bison wherever she can, whether that be in a stadium, arena, classroom, concert hall, or on the third floor of Ceres Hall.  In her spare time you’ll find Olivia, experimenting in the kitchen, planning her next adventure abroad, supporting anything and everything local, and spending all the time she can with her family.

Rachana is the Graduate Assistant for the Internship Program. As part of her role, she manages administrative duties, assists with internship specific projects and programs, and engages with students to provide coaching on career related topics. This is her second year with us!

Rachana received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from NDSU in 2020. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Counselor Education with a focus on clinical mental health. In her spare time, Rachana enjoys spending time with friends and trying new restaurants around Fargo.

Makenna is the Marketing and Events Intern for the Career and Advising Center. She assists in the set up of events, utilizes social media to share information about events, and participates in marketing campaigns.

Makenna is currently studying Marketing at NDSU with minors in Agribusiness and Graphic Design. Makenna enjoys spending time with her family on their farm in Morris, Minnesota.