ONWARD SENIORS: Wright finds strength, purpose at Minot State

MINOT, N.D. – For Autumn Wright, coming to Minot State was more than a college decision.

It was a leap of faith.

As the first in her family to pursue higher education, Wright didn’t have a roadmap to follow. Without guidance or financial support, she navigated the process on her own, reaching out to coaches and searching for an opportunity that felt within reach. At the time, she was also recovering from an injury, which made the process even more uncertain.

That uncertainty changed when a former Minot State coach gave her a chance.

“I had never even heard of Minot before,” Wright said. “But I was grateful. It gave me a chance to get back into being an athlete again.”

When she arrived on campus, the transition was anything but easy. Wright was navigating personal loss, health challenges, and the emotional weight of major life decisions, all while adjusting to a new environment and expectations as a student-athlete.

“I felt behind in every sense,” she said. “Physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

Within her first months, she experienced profound grief, including the loss of her grandmother, while still trying to find her footing in a new place. At the same time, she was working through deeply personal challenges that shaped how she viewed herself and her future.

Instead of breaking her, those moments became the foundation of who she is today.

“All of that was the very start of who I am now,” Wright said. “Stronger than ever, confident, and not ashamed of what it took to get here.”

That mindset began to shift how she approached both academics and athletics. Where she once felt defeated, she started to reflect on how far she had come.

“I had to think about the version of me who used to sit in my room and dream about being in college,” she said. “That helped me keep going.”

Her growth became evident on the track. One of her most meaningful moments came this past season when she competed at a conference meet as part of the 4x400 relay team, something she once doubted was possible.

“Last year, I didn’t even believe I was capable of that,” Wright said. “This year, I came in ready. I used everything I’ve been through as motivation.”

Off the track, Wright has built something just as meaningful. What started as a small salon in her closet in 2018 has grown into a thriving business, one rooted in connection, trust, and care.

Over time, her clientele expanded, and she developed her own products, continuing to grow even during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Wright, the impact of her work goes far beyond the service itself.

“It’s the conversations, the trust, and the relationships,” she said. “When people sit in my chair, it’s more than just hair.”

Those experiences have shaped her understanding of leadership. As a psychology major and campus leader, Wright prioritizes creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and heard. She carries the same sense of care from her business into every role she takes on.

Through her involvement on campus, she has worked to highlight student experiences and bring people together. Whether through media, events, or leadership roles, her goal is to make others feel included in ways she once needed herself.

One of her proudest accomplishments was helping lead Black History Month programming that created a deeper sense of belonging across campus.

“I wanted to show a different level of depth and make people feel welcome,” she said.

Her work with mental health initiatives holds similar meaning. Drawing from her own experiences, Wright focuses on small, intentional ways to remind others they are not alone.

“Even if it’s just a sticker that says, ‘you can do this,’ it matters,” she said.

Wright has also found an outlet through creative work and media, where she shares messages rooted in growth, healing, and honesty. Inspired by her own life experiences, she creates content that encourages others to see strength in their struggles.

“I wanted people to feel a sense of hope,” she said. “To see that there’s beauty even in endings.”

Looking ahead, Wright plans to pursue her master’s degree while continuing to build a future centered on helping others. She has interests in opening a daycare and working in human resources, both driven by her desire to create supportive environments for people at every stage of life.

“I want people to feel loved, supported, and understood,” she said.

From navigating college on her own to overcoming personal hardship, building a business, and leading on campus, Wright’s journey reflects resilience in its truest form. Every challenge she faced became part of her purpose.

And now, she’s using that purpose to make sure others feel seen.