Annual Recognition Awards for 2025-2026

• Board of Regents Faculty Achievement Awards
• Board of Regents Staff Achievement Awards
• Retirees
• Years of Service
• Staff Senate High 5 Recipients
• Academic Advising Awards
• Distinguished Lifetime Educator Awards
• Degrees/Certificates Earned

Minot State University honored its 2025-26 Board of Regents Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards award winners at the conclusion of the academic year.

Faculty Achievement Awards
This program was established in 1985 by the Burlington Northern Foundation. In 1990 the Board of Regents established a second award and now solely supports the awards to recognize outstanding university teaching. The intent of the award is to recognize, reward, and motivate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Shelley Bredin-Oja
Excellence in Scholarship

Dr. Bredin-Oja has published numerous articles in major peer-reviewed journals in speech-language pathology and related fields. Her work has been published in American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Brain and Cognition, the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disorders, and the Journal of Autism and Development Disorders. She was a co-author of a chapter in Treatment of Language Disorders in Children, 2nd edition and is first author of a chapter in the 3rd edition of this book which will be available this fall. Her areas of interest include efficacy and effectiveness of early language intervention, syntactic development from childhood to adolescence and families affected by fragile X syndrome.

Dr. Bredin-Oja has chaired several graduate student theses at MSU and has mentored her thesis students to present their work at state and national conferences. In addition, she has been an ad-hoc peer reviewer for The American Journal on Intellectual and Development Disabilities, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, and Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools.

Jamie Hammer
Excellence in Service

Dr. Hammer's Service to MSU is impactful and sustained. She serves as co-chair of the Admissions and Progression Committee and secretary of the student learning Assessment Committee, contributing to critical decision making processes that support student success and program quality. She is highly engaged in advising, mentoring, and recruitment efforts, frequently volunteering her time for student outreach, campus tours, and professional development opportunities. Her commitment to students is evident in her accessibility, responsiveness, and willingness to go beyond her assigned responsibilities to ensure student growth. Dr. Hammer is actively involved in numerous initiatives, including Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk, the Walk to End Alzheimer's, community collaboration committees, and a wide range of MSU Alumni events.

Dr. Hammer embodies the values of integrity, engagement, and community-centered practice. Her service is not only extensive but deeply meaningful, reflecting a genuine commitment to improving lives and strengthening the nursing profession.

Rachel Schomaker
Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Schomaker captivates minds with her diverse array of teaching techniques. The students her these classes are invested beyond participation. Students studying in a Jeopardy-game fashion can be seen using cutthroat techniques to prove their knowledge. Students will devote personal free time to sew a stuffed animal model of a microbe. Students ask hard questions about real life diseases. These are all actions taken by students fostered by the teaching of Dr. Schomaker. None of these actions are done to defend a grade but because Dr. Schomaker creates a classroom of trust and inspiration that encourages creativity. This level of student engagement is difficult to achieve but is well demonstrated within Dr. Schomaker's classrooms.

Dr. Schomaker uses novel techniques for teaching that captivate her audience to the point that she can be called entertainer as much as she might be called educator. Dr Schomaker has had incredible success in mentoring students.

Staff Achievement Awards
The Board of Regents Staff Achievement Award was established in 1991. The Board of Regents established the award to recognize university staff members for outstanding service to the University and the community.

Amy Armstrong
Office of Sponsored Programs & NDCPD

Amy exemplifies Minot State University's core values through her extraordinary leadership, unwavering integrity, and long standing commitment to excellence in service, teaching, learning, and community engagement. Through her expertise and tireless dedication, she has supported the development and submission of hundreds of grant proposals across disciplines, consistently achieving exceptional funding success rates. These efforts have resulted in millions of dollars in external funding that directly support student learning, undergraduate and graduate research, faculty scholarship, creative activity, inclusive services, and community based initiatives.

Amy actively supports the values of community and place. She plays a central role in securing funding for programs that serve regional and statewide needs, particularly through her extensive work with NDCPD and other community partners. On campus, she strengthens community by supporting the Faculty Research Committee, coordinating MSU's annual poster sessions and small grant awards. Her leadership in implementing new tools, such as Atom Grants, further enhances access, collaboration, and efficiency for the entire campus. Amy's work has expanded opportunity, strengthened programs, and elevated MSU's impact across North Dakota. Her work has profoundly strengthened Minot State University and enriched the lives of students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

Rebecca Ringham
Registrar's Office

Rebecca's work as Registrar reflects exceptional professionalism, integrity, and care for students, faculty, and the institution. She brings thoughtfulness and purpose to everything she does, and her leadership has had a truly lasting impact on MSU. Rebecca is a trusted partner in advancing the university's academic mission. She has a remarkable ability to translate policy and complex requirements into clear, workable systems that support teaching and learning. From her leadership in implementing the Digital Literacy requirement to her service on the North Dakota General Education Council, Rebecca consistently bridges system level expectations and campus needs with clarity and collaboration. Faculty and administrators rely on her judgment and preparation, knowing she will always approach challenges with care and solutions in mind.

Students are at the center of Rebecca's work. Her leadership in redesigning transfer evaluations, expanding eForms, and improving graduation and appeal processes has reduced confusion and barriers while increasing transparency and equity. Her careful, multi year effort to review and correct thousands of legacy transcripts demonstrates her respect for every student's academic record and her commitment to doing the work the right way—even when it is difficult and time consuming. Rebecca also leads with strength and compassion. She is deeply ethical in her stewardship of data and records, and during times of change or challenge, she is a steady, supportive presence for her team. Beyond campus, she represents MSU with distinction through professional organizations and brings valuable insight back to the institution, strengthening decision making and practice. Rebecca Ringham exemplifies excellence in staff leadership. Her integrity, dedication, and care for others elevate Minot State University every day

Brian Otto
Facilities Management

Brian has been a cornerstone of our facilities operations. His deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and hands on approach have ensured that our buildings, systems, and grounds are safe, functional, and well-maintained year after year. Brian consistently goes above and beyond what is required, often working behind the scenes to resolve complex issues before they impact staff, students, or the community. Brian's leadership is marked by integrity, accountability, and mentorship. He leads by example, fostering a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and pride among his staff. Under his guidance, the facilities team operates efficiently while maintaining high standards of safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence.

Over more than two decades, Brian has successfully overseen countless projects, improvements, and challenges—always demonstrating sound judgment, fiscal responsibility, and a solutions oriented mindset. His long-term commitment has provided stability and continuity, making him a trusted resource and a respected leader across departments. Brian Otto's dedication, work ethic, and positive impact are deeply felt throughout the organization.

Years of Service

Retirees

Distinguished Lifetime Educator Awards

Academic Advising Awards

Staff Senate High 5 Recipients

Degrees/Certificates Earned

• Sara Abrahamson, Human Resources
  • Master of Science in Management
• Debra Haman, Student Health
  • Master of Science in Management
• Jamie Hammer, Nursing
  • Minor in Addiction Studies
• Emily Stephens, Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Practice and Leadership with a specialization in Higher Education