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The Career Development Team

Get to know and meet the team members in the Career Development Office below!

Jin

Bio

Hello! My name is Jin and I am the Director of Career Development here at Black Hills State University. I consider Sheridan, WY my hometown, but have lived in many places across the US including Rapid City, SD, Minneapolis, MN, Manhattan, KS, and Tampa, FL! I have degrees in Applied Biological Sciences and Counseling and Student Development. Some fun facts about me are that I am certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI Personality Assessment) and a Sustained Dialogue Trained Moderator. In my free time, I love to travel, go into the mountains, and love to try new foods! My favorite part of BH is the students and hearing their story and the best part about Spearfish and the Black Hills is the fresh air! I just love smelling the fresh smell of pine in the air! Please feel free to reach out if there is ever anything that I can help you with!

Myndi

Bio

Hi! I am Myndi Weidenbach the new Peer and Internship Coordinator at Black Hills State University. I recently graduated from Black Hills State University in May of 2023 with a degree in History Education. Before this role, I worked at the Journey Museum and Learning Center in Rapid City doing educational programming. I loved being a Peer Mentor during my time at BHSU and now I am excited to give back to the program that helped me! During this time I will also be working on my Masters in Public Policy at Liberty University Online to hopefully engage with educational policy after I graduate.

Abi

Bio

Hello! My name is Abigail, and I am in my fourth year at Black Hills State University. I am originally from a small town on the eastern side of South Dakota. I am double majoring in Biology and Chemistry. After graduating, I hope to get a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies. I am involved in the Pre-Health Professionals Club, HSSO, and ASBMB. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, playing piano, and spending time with my family and friends. I love many parts of Black Hills State University, such as the size, location, and overall atmosphere!

Alaina

Bio

Hello! My name is Alaina, and I am a senior at Black Hills State University. I am originally from a small town on the eastern side of Wyoming. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. After graduating, I plan to enroll in the sonography program at LCCC to become an ultrasound technician. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time with friends, and hanging out in local coffee shops. I chose Black Hills State University because of its close-knit community, supportive environment, and the ease of forming meaningful connections with both students and professors.

Derek

Bio

I'm Derek, a senior at Black Hills State University. I grew up in Switzerland, and then I decided to pursue my education here in the United States. Before my college years, I spent two years in Utah, where I went to high school while living with a relative. Here at BHSU, I am majoring in Graphic Design. Outside of that, I enjoy spending quality time with friends, going on exciting adventures, and playing video games. After graduation, I would love to be in a position as a graphic designer with a professional sports team. It's a dream which I hope I can accomplish later on.

Connor

Bio

Hey, my name is Connor, and I am a junior here at Black Hills State University, but I am originally from Canistota, South Dakota. I am studying Exercise Science intending to attend graduate school to become a physical therapist. My biggest goal would be to open my Physical Therapy clinic where I can work with athletes and help them get back to playing their sports. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and spending time outdoors, especially snowboarding. My favorite part about being in Spearfish is that I am so close to the Spearfish Canyon. Some of my best memories come from hiking with all my friends or driving through and looking at all the scenery.

Hailey

Bio

Hey! My name is Hailey, and I am a Senior at Black Hills State University. I am studying Elementary Education to hopefully become a Kindergarten Teacher. I would love to eventually end up working back in my home state of Minnesota after experiencing a few years of teaching in South Dakota. I really love painting and drawing in my spare time, while listening to music! I spend at least one day a weekend hiking around the Black Hills; my favorite hike is Devil’s Bathtub. I also really enjoy baking, especially making monster cookies.

Jadynn

Bio

Hello! My name is Jadynn, and currently am a senior at Black Hills State University. I am majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Health to hopefully open my own Chiropractic clinic one day. I love helping people and overall well-being so both together provide a major interest of mine. Having grown up near the Bighorn Mountains I was constantly hiking, camping, or being at the lake, and I wanted to have the same activities at my fingertips in college. I came to BHSU to be able to continue my favorite hobbies as well as the size, price, and distance from home. When the weather prohibits these activities I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Kyle

Bio

Hello! My name is Kyle, and I am a senior at Black Hills State University. I am majoring in Business Management with a minor in Accounting. My goal after earning my degree is to either start my own business or work towards providing account management services in the renewables industry. I am from South Dakota, and I love exploring the Black Hills. My favorite activities are hiking with my dogs, sitting down to play cards with my friends, and going camping with my family. The things I am most passionate about in life are teamwork, comradery, and serving my community.

Leyton

Bio

Hello, my name is Leyton. I am a junior this year at BHSU, majoring in Biology and getting a minor in Chemistry. After attending BHSU, I plan to go to dental school and pursue my dream career as a dentist. Along with being a Peer Mentor, I also work as a Career Development Assistant. I am the Vice President of the Pre-Health Professionals Club and involved in the Swarm Days Committee, Honors Club, and Health Science Student Organization (HSSO). Outside of school, I like spending time with my family and friends, traveling, and trying new foods. A fun fact about myself is that I love a good adrenaline rush and have been skydiving before. Another fun fact about myself is that I have seven siblings! This year, I am really looking forward to helping students navigate their professional selves through Career Development.

Landrum

Bio

Hello, my name is Landrum Wiley. I am from Sheridan, Wyoming and went to Sheridan High school. I am a freshman at Black Hills State University. I am majoring in Physical Education. Additionally, I run cross country, and distance for indoor and outdoor track and field. Outside of sports, I try to attend Chi Alpha campus ministry small group Bible studies. After college, I am planning to become a high school PE teacher somewhere around the east coast. I am interested in PE classes and athletics. In my free time, if I am not running or going to Bible studies, I like to be in the mountains, hiking, hunting, and fishing. If I can't go to the mountains I will usually play Fortnite.

Brooklyn

Bio

Hi, my name is Brooklyn Andersen. I am originally from a small town on the east side of the state called Hurley. I am a junior majoring in Elementary Education, with two minors in Early Childhood Education and Reading. After attending BHSU, I plan to teach in Wyoming and work towards a master's degree. Since I was a young girl, I have always had a passion for working with young children; watching them learn and discover new things through their eyes! When I am not at work, you can find me reading books, watching movies, exploring nature, thrifting, playing pickleball, following my faith, and spending time with family and friends. Spearfish drew me in from the town's amazing community and breathtaking views. On campus, I am involved in the Future Teachers Association (FTA), Swarm Day Committee, Activities Grant Committee (AGC), and Chi Alpha.

Evie

Bio

Hi, my name is Evie Boyd I am a junior here at Black Hills State University, but I am originally from Boulder, Colorado. Here at Black Hills, I am majoring in Elementary Education, and I plan to graduate with a Spanish certificate and, later on, after I graduate, work towards a master's. In the future, I cannot wait to be in a classroom teaching higher elementary to middle school kids every day and continue to grow more and learn more each day. Outside of school, I am also on the cross country and track team here at Black Hills where we run a lot! I am always so thankful to have the Canyon close by because running through it never gets old. In my free time, I love painting, reading and doing fun things with my friends. My favorite part about being here in Spearfish is the town, the kind people, the view of the hills, and the gorgeous outdoors here!

Alli

Bio

Hello! My name is Alli McManus and I grew up in Reliance, SD. I am currently a senior at BHSU majoring in exercise science with a minor in sociology. After I graduate, I intend to go to graduate school to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and hope to someday open my own practice in rural South Dakota. I spend much of my free time being active and being outside. I love playing pickleball, volleyball, and hiking around the Black Hills. I also enjoy reading and having craft nights with my friends. I love BHSU for the location and community I've found here!

Ryken

Bio

Hello! My name is Ryken Falkenburg Brown and I’m from Custer, South Dakota. I’m a Sophomore here at Black Hills State and I’m a Professional Accountancy major. After graduating I plan to become an accountant and possibly open my own business. My favorite things to do in my free time are reading, hiking, and baking. My favorite things to bake are banana bread with lots of chocolate chips and molasses cookies.

Lila

Bio

Hello! My name is Lila Vaughn, and I am a junior here at Black Hills State University. I am originally from Steamboat Rock, Iowa, which is a small town of about 300 people. I am majoring in Business Administration and specializing in both Management and Accounting. After graduating, I plan on getting my CPA license and working for a public accounting firm somewhere. In my free time, I enjoy being a part of Chi Alpha campus ministry, hanging out with friends, traveling, going to country music concerts, and visiting family. I also really love doing anything outdoors with pretty scenery, which is what makes the Black Hills a perfect fit for me!

Wyatt

Bio

Hello, my name is Wyatt. I am from a small town in northwest Wyoming and I am a freshman at Black Hills State University this year. I am currently double majoring in Biology and Chemistry. I am also a member of the BHSU football team. After college, I plan to go to medical school to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. I am very interested in athletics and hope to be an orthopedic surgeon for a sports team. In my free time, I enjoy anything outdoors such as snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, and fishing.

Contact Info

Careers@BHSU.edu
BHSU E. Y. Berry Library Room #171 Map
Phone: 605.642.6269

Career Development
Black Hills State University
1200 University St. Unit 9672
Spearfish, SD, USA 57799-9672