Grand Forks, ND March, 2011: An alum of the University of North Dakota alumni was honored recently at the state conference for TRIO Professionals in Bismarck, Heidi Demars received the North Dakota ASPIRE TRIO Achievers Award.
“I began my educational journey in a small town in ND. I was curious and shy as a child and enjoyed learning new things. I always knew I was destined for something more, I just didn’t know what.,” said Demars.
Demars is an Outreach Coordinator for the Dakota Resource Council which is a nonprofit where she is responsible for fundraising, coordinating outreach events, and communications. She graduated from a small town in North Dakota, following graduation she bought a one-way ticket to Alaska. While in Alaska she was a nanny to a boy with special needs, this opened her eyes to seeing the positive impact his special education team had on him each day. Heidi then understood the importance of a college education.
Demars moved back to North Dakota and began school, this is where she was connected to the TRIO Student Support Services program at the University of North Dakota. She graduated from UND Magna Cum Laude, received a NextGen award, and a scholarship for her outstanding leadership qualities. She was also recognized for a garden project that she created. Demars currently lives in Bismarck with her husband and two children.
Previous recipients of the North Dakota ASPIRE TRIO Achievers award include, Amy Fisher and Josh Nichols.
Two University of North Dakota alumni were honored recently at the regional conference for TRIO Professionals in Cheyenne, WY. Amy Fisher and Robert Hewitt received the ASPIRE TRIO Achievers Award.
“I want all women to know their worth and that they too can walk into TRIO and say ‘I want to go to college, please help me,’ and I want them to know that TRIO will help them,” said Fisher.
Fisher is an advocate and volunteer for the Grand Forks Community Violence Intervention Center.. Fisher, a single mother, earned her degree in social work and has gone on to work for the CVIC. She has volunteered hundreds of hours educating others on domestic violence and what they can do to help those trapped in this situation. She has served on statewide committees and groups.
“Amy is a compassionate, intelligent, hardworking, and courageous woman. She has taken a horrific experience and turned it into something that will improve countless lives. I am truly inspired by her journey,” said Kristi Hall-Jiran, Executive Director of the CVIC.
Hewitt is the supervisor of waste management and recycling and coordinator of environmental safety at Altru Health Systems in Grand Forks. Robert received his degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Health from Industrial Technology at UND. Hewitt was involved in acquiring safety grant funding for Altru and reduced patient lifting injuries by 50 % which not only reduced insurance premiums for the hospital, but made the employees safer at the workplace.
Hewitt is an advocate for TRIO students and programs, he served as a motivational speaker for TRIO students and alum. In addition, he taught computer courses for the Veteran Upward Bound TRIO program at the University of North Dakota.
“Robert fearlessly overcame all of the obstacles inherent in the college experience of an adult student including a physical disability,” said Cheryl Kingsbury, Hewitt’s former advisor at TRIO.
University of North Dakota Trio Programs, Cara Davis received the Rising Star Award at the ASPIRE Regional conference held October 10th through the 13th in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Rising Star Award is presented to a member of ASPIRE who has worked for a TRIO program for less than one to two years and has excelled at providing services to TRIO and/or ASPIRE at the local, state, or regional levels. Cara is an Instructor Coordinator/ Advisor for the University of North Dakota Upward Bound TRIO Program.
Amy Fisher participated in the UND Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program from June 2005 to May 2009. The EOC program helped Amy to get admitted to UND where she earned a Social Work degree, despite the difficulties of being an older than average student with family responsibilities. Amy now lives in Buxton, ND and has worked for Red River Valley Community Action as a Case Manager since June 2009.
“When I walked into the TRIO office in 2005 I was so scared. I wanted to go to college but had no idea how to do it, and I didn’t think I COULD do it. Derrek helped me get started and guided me through my whole UND experience. Being an older than average student was hard, but with the help of TRIO I graduated in May of 2009 with my social work degree and now work as a Social Worker/ Case Manager. Thanks TRIO for all your understanding and help”!
Josh Nichols was a participant in the Student Support Services program at Dickinson State University from 2003 to 2007. In 2007 he graduated from DSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and has worked as a Student Support Specialist for the DSU Student Support Services program since 2007. Josh is also active in the Dickinson community as a member of SneakPique Productions, Vice President of the Dickinson Young Professionals, as well as other community and university organizations.
Josh has this to say about his experience with DSU SSS: “ As a first generation and low income freshman I didn’t particularly perform well during my first semester and was nearly ineligible to continue participation in DSU’s SSS program. The dedicated staff of SSS never gave up on me and I eventually became a successful SSS participant and an engaged student leader on campus. ”
