Staff Members

Leah Ecklund

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

As a senior graphic artist, Leah creates cohesive, curated, modern, and engaging graphic designs and digital illustrations for the NDSU Foundation. She brings her creative input and specialization to the table on a variety of projects, including event artwork and branding, website and email design, and magazine layout, among others.

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NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

As a senior graphic artist, Leah creates cohesive, curated, modern, and engaging graphic designs and digital illustrations for the NDSU Foundation. She brings her creative input and specialization to the table on a variety of projects, including event artwork and branding, website and email design, and magazine layout, among others.

Sharon Walters

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

As director of human resources, Sharon and her team support current and future business needs through the development, engagement, motivation, and preservation of human capital. She provides leadership and sets organizational strategy within the areas of training and development, talent and performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, compliance and employment law, and safety and wellness.

Sharon Walters Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

As director of human resources, Sharon and her team support current and future business needs through the development, engagement, motivation, and preservation of human capital. She provides leadership and sets organizational strategy within the areas of training and development, talent and performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, compliance and employment law, and safety and wellness.

Michael King

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

Before joining the NDSU Foundation as a director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences, Michael spent six years as the assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands at Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio.

Michael King Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2021

Before joining the NDSU Foundation as a director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences, Michael spent six years as the assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands at Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio.

Jennifer Price

NDSU Foundation Team Member Since 2021

In her role as senior prospect research manager, Jennifer analyzes internal and external data to help identify friends and supporters of NDSU.

Jennifer currently lives in Fargo with her husband, Brian, and their dog, Sadie.

Jennifer Price Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member Since 2021

In her role as senior prospect research manager, Jennifer analyzes internal and external data to help identify friends and supporters of NDSU.

Jennifer currently lives in Fargo with her husband, Brian, and their dog, Sadie.

Stefanie Kelly

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2014

Stefanie, a director of athletic development, helps lead philanthropy and Team Makers efforts in the Twin Cities metro area. Prior to this role, Stefanie served as a development professional for Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she was also head coach for the women’s track and field team.

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NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2014

Stefanie, a director of athletic development, helps lead philanthropy and Team Makers efforts in the Twin Cities metro area. Prior to this role, Stefanie served as a development professional for Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she was also head coach for the women’s track and field team.

Kandi Thompson

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2016

Kandi, the Foundation’s donor compliance services coordinator, provides general support for the donor compliance services department, which includes writing donor agreements and providing fund maintenance, administration, reporting, and compliance.

Kandi Thompson Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2016

Kandi, the Foundation’s donor compliance services coordinator, provides general support for the donor compliance services department, which includes writing donor agreements and providing fund maintenance, administration, reporting, and compliance.

Justin Swanson

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2018

Justin is a North Dakotan born and raised as he grew up in a rural farming community in Benson County. He’s a lifelong learner with a passion for education and received his bachelors and master’s degrees from NDSU. He credits NDSU and his education here for many of his personal relationships and professional opportunities.

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NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2018

Justin is a North Dakotan born and raised as he grew up in a rural farming community in Benson County. He’s a lifelong learner with a passion for education and received his bachelors and master’s degrees from NDSU. He credits NDSU and his education here for many of his personal relationships and professional opportunities.

Janna Swanson

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2018

As an executive assistant, Janna performs a range of administrative, clerical, and technical duties along with project and meeting management for the vice president of finance and operations and the vice president of information services at the Foundation. Janna helps plan and organize the day-to-day operations of their offices, which requires management of multiple, rapidly changing priorities.

Janna Swanson Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2018

As an executive assistant, Janna performs a range of administrative, clerical, and technical duties along with project and meeting management for the vice president of finance and operations and the vice president of information services at the Foundation. Janna helps plan and organize the day-to-day operations of their offices, which requires management of multiple, rapidly changing priorities.

Randy Schmeling

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2013

Randy, a senior director of development in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, works with a team of dedicated professionals in the college and his colleagues at the Foundation to promote the goals and priorities of NDSU and engage constituents to help achieve those goals.

Randy Schmeling Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 2013

Randy, a senior director of development in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, works with a team of dedicated professionals in the college and his colleagues at the Foundation to promote the goals and priorities of NDSU and engage constituents to help achieve those goals.

Jennifer Reinhold

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 1997

As a senior accountant, Jennifer works with scholarships, North Dakota State challenge grant funds, pledges tracking, recurring gifts, capital project reporting, financial donor reporting and helps maintain the financial database.

Jennifer Reinhold Read More »

NDSU Foundation Team Member since 1997

As a senior accountant, Jennifer works with scholarships, North Dakota State challenge grant funds, pledges tracking, recurring gifts, capital project reporting, financial donor reporting and helps maintain the financial database.