Onward: An interview with Jim Sturm
MINOT, N.D. — Jim Sturm might be the most upbeat person you will meet at Minot State.
Quick with a smile and some sage advice, Sturm — director of Minot State’s Looyenga Leadership Center — seems pretty laid back in his approach to life.
That doesn’t mean he takes his classes or the study of leadership lightly.
Sturm has developed the Looyenga Leadership Center into a strong program in just a few short years, leaning heavily on his impressive list of leadership roles at various colleges and universities, mainly on the East Coast.
University Communications caught up with the Eden, New York native in between multiple classes, events, speaking sessions, the search for the world’s best cheeseburger — and avoiding ranch dressing on wings — for the next edition of Onward.
You are the first and only director of the Looyenga Leadership Center; how has building the Center from scratch gone for you so far?
JS: It has been great! When you start a program, you get to create the vision and build it from the ground up. I was fortunate enough to hear from Roger Looyenga about what he envisioned and from Jessica Smestad, who did some of the original course design work, so that gave me a solid foundation to build on.
But, most importantly, the students were fantastic, right from the start. When you work in leadership, you really get to work with some of the best students who are positive, energized, and driven, and that propels everything you do. They inspire me to want to do more and create more opportunities for them. I got so lucky with the first Emerging Leaders Program group and the first leadership studies class. They bought into what the Looyenga Leadership Center is all about and helped to create the programs and to attract other students.
What are some of the factors for you to choose to come to Minot State to start the Looyenga Leadership Center?
JS: After almost 20 years of being a vice president and dean of students, I was hoping to be able to concentrate on leadership development, which is really my first love, and I had always had a desire to see the Dakotas. When I saw the position being advertised, I applied right away. It was at the height of the pandemic, so I didn’t know if anything would come of it, but it ended up being a good fit, so I made the move. You really do develop a little wisdom with age, and now I have plenty of age and a little wisdom, and I enjoy sharing that with the students, and learning even more from them.
What are some of your past experiences in higher education, and how have they shaped your vision for the Center?
JS: I have been planning and running leadership programs since I was in graduate school, about 34 years ago. I am always looking for new ways to reach students and to keep them engaged in leadership development. I worked in career services, orientation, residence life, student activities, volunteer programs, adventure programs, athletics, and Greek life and all of those areas have provided great experiences with students and helped me to learn what skills they need and how best to help them develop those skills. As a vice president and dean, I learned valuable lessons about building, training, and working day-to-day with a professional staff and what is necessary to be successful.
I want the Looyenga Leadership Center to be a place where students want to be, where they know that we are here for them, and where they are free to try new things, fail occasionally, and get back up and try again. Most importantly, I want them to have the confidence that they are capable of making great change and having a positive impact in their community.
Do you have an early highlight or two from your time at Minot State or in the Magic City?
JS: I have had so much fun exploring! I moved here without knowing anyone in North Dakota and having never set foot in the state previously. Everything is a new adventure! I have had fun exploring many of the state parks, and I was blown away by Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is one of my favorite places. Everything has been fun, from the Heritage Park to the hiking trails — Minot is really a great place to live.
But the biggest highlight has been the students. I have really enjoyed getting to know them and discovering what they want to accomplish and what they need to get there. They challenge you and keep you young!
This position reaches beyond just the classroom setting; what are some of the other experiences you’ve had at Minot State?
JS: As the Center has grown, so have the experiences. For two years, we worked with Strengthen ND to create a week-long leadership program for high school students. We took them around the area to show them ways that they could get involved in their communities.
I now work with our orientation leaders to hire and train them, and that group is so much fun. They have become like a family to me. And this fall, we took over running orientation, and we continue to look for ways to make that a valuable and positive experience to get our new students off to a great start at Minot State.
I have even had the chance to work with other groups in the community to present leadership topics and programs. Next May, we are planning a study abroad trip to Scotland, where students can see how culture impacts leadership styles. It is a great chance for students to learn in a whole new environment and have some great experiences.
What is the future of the Center?
JS: I still have a whole list of things I want to accomplish — I call it my Unfinished Business List. This year we are adding a Dinner and Discussion series where students can meet and talk with area leaders over dinner. It will give them a chance to network, practice dining etiquette, and interact with professionals in a more intimate setting. We are also starting a Leadership Club so students can learn from each other, plan and execute their own projects, and continue to develop their skills.
Jessica Smestad is currently developing undergraduate leadership courses in an online format so that we can offer a leadership certificate to alumni and professionals wherever they are.
But I also want to create a social justice/community service project competition where students develop a concept with a professional mentor and present it to judges who provide the winning presenter with seed money to get their project off the ground. I want to start a Citizens’ University where we meet regularly to discuss current topics and events, brainstorm solutions, and encourage students to become active in their communities — either here in Minot or wherever they end up afterward.
Tell us about your academic career, where you studied, what degrees you earned, and how those experiences shaped you as a professor and as the Looyenga Leadership Center director.
JS: In college, I was one of those students who was involved in everything. Probably most significantly, I was an RA and an orientation leader and that is what sparked my interest in working in student life on a college campus. I learned a lot by being involved, and I want other students to have that same opportunity. Nothing compares to hands-on experiences in a setting where it is ok to experiment, take risks, try new things, and go a little outside of your comfort zone.
You’ve lived primarily on the East Coast before coming to Minot State; what are some of the main differences and similarities between your prior locations and MSU?
JS: Ha! Ranch dressing on wings? In Buffalo, we are blue cheese-only people! And I had never had hot dish! But recently, one of the students remedied that, so now I feel like I am an official North Dakotan. I grew up in Buffalo and had always heard that it was really a Midwest city, and now I understand. People in Buffalo and the Midwest are friendly and go out of their way to help each other. They work hard. As I have traveled around to other places, I have really come to appreciate the Midwest values. Ranch dressing on wings — not so much…
What do you like to do outside of the classroom: family, hobbies, or other areas of interest?
JS: I really enjoy going to Minot State sports events and cheering on our student-athletes. I am also a fan of the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Orioles, even though that has not always been easy. But it has steeled me to disappointment. I like to go hiking, especially at TRNP. I still can’t believe that they let me out there unsupervised! I am also in a continuous search for the world’s best cheeseburger and just FYI, Ironhorse may have it!
What else are we missing in telling your story?
JS: I grew up as one of 11 children, so I watched leadership in action my whole life. Imagine the leadership skills it takes for two parents to raise 11 kids on a teacher’s salary and get them all wherever they need to go, keep the house functioning, and not go completely crazy. I had great role models when it came to leadership, and I hope I can pass a little of that on to others.
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Published: 09/27/24
