Onward: An interview with Jessica Smestad
MINOT, N.D. – Jessica Smestad has been Minot State University’s Honors Program director since 2016.
Her interest in the program was sparked while teaching a problem-solving class, which propelled her to venture into a variety of classrooms, teaching multiple subjects. The unique design of the Honors Program, an interdisciplinary academic program for high-achieving students, perfectly aligns with her skill set.
Smestad, originally from Minot, earned her undergraduate degree in English from the University of North Dakota and a Master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of Connecticut.
Minot State’s University Communications interviewed Smestad to learn more about the Honors Program and about the outstanding individual who is at its helm.
How long have you worked at MSU and what are some of the various areas you worked in?
JS: I have worked at Minot State since June 2010. I started as the Tutoring and Mentoring Coordinator in the Center for Engaged Teaching & Learning. In the summer of 2016, I was hired for the Honors Program director position. Additionally, I have served as the interim director of the Looyenga Leadership Center as well as the interim director of the First-Year Experience program. In addition to teaching Honors Program courses, I have also taught public speaking, the general studies capstone, and the first-year seminar.
You were hired as the Director of the Honors Program; what was your interest in this field to begin with, and what interested you in coming to Minot State?
JS: After living on the East Coast for five years, my husband and I decided it was time to move back closer to family. Minot is my hometown and my husband is from Burlington, so Minot State was a perfect choice for once again living near our families. I was also enthusiastic about working at a smaller university after being at larger institutions for several years. As for my interest in Honors, I was asked to teach a course about community problem-solving in Spring 2015. I loved the program and its students so much that when the director position became available I applied. The rest, they say, is history.
Tell us about the Honors Program at MSU, what are some of the requirements and what does the program do for students?
JS: The Honors Program is an interdisciplinary academic program designed for high-achieving students. Through taking honors-specific courses, students are able to earn a concentration (16-17 credits) or minor (25 credits) in Honors while also fulfilling some general education requirements. Broadly speaking, the courses help to develop communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills, as well as enhance cultural competencies and promote a commitment to the common good (service/civic engagement). We suggest potential students have earned one of the following in order to participate in the program: a 3.25 or better GPA in high school, or an ACT score of 25-plus, or an SAT score of 1200-plus, or a University GPA of 3.0 or better.
You earned your graduate degree in Connecticut. Did you live on the East Coast while going to school, and what was that experience like?
JS: Yes, I lived in Connecticut while going to graduate school, first in Avon and then later in Manchester. It was very different from North Dakota! It is densely populated with both people and trees — ha! When I lived in Avon, I had an hour commute to get to campus, and it required me to go through Hartford every day. Traffic was always an issue, unlike our North Dakota highways. It also took a while to get used to windy roads that were surrounded by trees. I got carsick a lot in those early days. The university itself was idyllic — an absolutely beautiful place to go to school. I loved my graduate program, the faculty, and my classmates. Living somewhere totally different was such an important growth experience for me. I stayed out east, moving to New Hampshire, for a few more years before coming back to ND.
What were some of the factors you weighed when getting your undergraduate degree in English?
JS: English/language arts has always been my favorite school subject. When choosing what to major in, it was obvious I should choose what I liked doing best. It was really as simple as that.
Do you have a memory of your teaching career that sticks out as a favorite memory?
JS: It is impossible to choose a favorite memory because I have been lucky to work with so many amazing students doing amazing things! Overall though, my favorite courses to teach are those that encourage students to be creative, engage in problem-solving, and/or challenge their assumptions. I get to witness dramatic personal growth as students encounter new experiences, people and ideas, whether they are taking a leadership course or studying abroad! I also learn a great deal from my students — their passion and intelligence never cease to inspire me.
What do you like to do outside of the classroom: family, hobbies, or other areas of interest?
JS: When I am not working, I enjoy reading, crossword puzzles, cycling, nature photography, traveling, baking bread, and attending my kids’ events. My family and I are also big hockey fans, so we spend a lot of time at the hockey arena. Additionally, I currently serve on the board for StrengthenND, a local non-profit, and the facility corporation board for my sorority at UND.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 05/02/24
