Hometown

Lustre, Montana, United States

Education

• B.A. English - Dickinson State University
• B.A. Spanish - Dickinson State University
• M.A. English Literature - Iowa State University

Why did you choose your undergraduate major?

I was a great math student when I was in high school. Because there were very few girls in STEM at the time, I was strongly encouraged to major in math, to help forge a path so to speak. I quickly learned that being good at something doesn’t mean that you enjoy doing it. I changed my major after my first semester.

Why are you passionate about advising?

I want students to leave MSU with a stronger sense of self, a sense of belonging to our community, and a clear understanding of how their time spent here will positively impact their futures. I’ve spent 22 years working with students in higher education, and I am as excited about the start of this new semester as I was for the very first semester.

Have you ever been skydiving?

Yes. They had to push me out of the airplane, I didn’t technically jump out of my own volition, but I did do it. Exhilarating and terrifying.

Did you always want to work in Higher Education?

No. I started out as a math major with the intention of teaching high schoolers. Several major changes later, I ended up on this path. Even the most circuitous path will eventually get you where you should be.

Schedule with Heidi on MavConnect here