Difference Makers recipients for Fall 2025
Posted: 2026-01-23 13:00:36 Expiration: 2026-01-30 13:00:36
The Dean of Students Office started a new effort in Fall Semester 2025, to recognize the efforts of our campus partners. These are faculty and staff members who go above and beyond to assist students, are strong collaborators, demonstrate grace, kindness, and empathy, and truly impact the student experience. These individuals are our Difference Makers.
Fall 2025 Recipients
Dr. Anna Finley, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Professor Finley is a consistent referral partner who extends great care to her students. Over the course of the semester, Professor Finley has worked to provide various pathways for success, while students were experiencing really significant life events. Her ability to weave compassion into her work with students, truly makes her a difference maker!
Sara Poe, Associate Director, Global Programs and Services
Sara consistently goes above and beyond to help students. She proactively collaborates with Case Management to better understand our role and student needs. She regularly consults about students and is able to creatively problem solve and meet each student’s unique situation. Sara also took the initiative to invite our department to facilitate a Colors & Connection Workshop for the advisors, helping raise awareness of student loneliness and strengthen how advisors can partner with Case Management. She is a true difference maker that shows genuine care in everything she does.
Joanna Johnson, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Service
Joanna has consistently provided a safe, non-judgmental space for some of our more complex students. She has bridged a gap for clinical understanding of student need while developing effective relationships to help move students through an evidence-based plan of care. Her collaboration with campus partners, expertise in psychopharmacology, and adapting treatment strategies has been essential with the evolving needs of students. Joanna’s compassion and dedication to our student population is unwavering; she MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
Patti Seidler, Academic Advisor, Career and Advising Center | College of Arts and Sciences
Patti Seidler has provided numerous referrals to the Dean of Students office over the last year. Patti goes beyond simply referring students, but provides detailed descriptions of what is happening in the lives of students that she is interacting with, and provides extensive support to students when they communicate with her. She expresses concerns for students’ well-being and always provides a high level of information, never leaving a student to have to guess next steps. She is truly a difference maker!
Difference Makers Information
- Contact: Emily Frazier, Dean of Students, emily.frazier@ndsu.edu
- Sponsored by: Dean of Students | Student Affairs and Institutional Equity
-- Academic Affairs: Melissa Lamp