Awardees announced for BSC Jack Fellowship

Post Date: Mar 15 2015
Karen EricksonTwo Bismarck State College staff members are recipients of this year's Jack Fellowship from the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees. The fellowship, valued at $25,000, helps BSC faculty and staff further their education, conduct research or pursue other professional development.

Janet Dixon, resource development manager, will use her fellowship to complete a master's degree in forensic psychology from the University of North Dakota.

Karen Erickson, director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, is completing a doctorate in education with emphasis in occupational and adult education from North Dakota State University.

Hired in 2008, Erickson started as Admissions coordinator and was named director in 2012. During that time she finished a master's degree in education with emphasis in higher education and student affairs, also from NDSU. Her undergraduate degree from University of Minnesota is in sports and recreation management.

Erickson said the terminal doctorate degree was always a long-term goal. She prefers classroom over online study and accesses NDSU classes over the statewide Interactive Video Network.

"I just really like that class discussion," said Erickson, now in her second semester while still working full-time. "It has been more challenging than I thought, but all things worth having are worth working at. I am hopeful my investment will pay off in the long run. A lot of what I'm studying is relevant to BSC."
Janet Dixon
Dixon specializes in research and grant-writing for the Foundation. She has worked there in two seven-year stretches - 1997-2004 as administrative assistant promoted to alumni and programs coordinator, and 2007 to present as a research and grants specialist, grant development coordinator and now resource development manager.

Dixon has a bachelor's degree in psychology and two semesters completed toward her master's. She is structuring her elective courses around education to help position her career. Dixon said the fellowship has eased the challenge of juggling work, finances and family.

"I wrote the guidelines for the Jack [Fellowship] when it was set up with the Foundation," she said, "but I never thought I would be benefiting from this. I feel it is a great honor to receive this opportunity."

The late Tom and Peg Jack, lead contributors to BSC's Jack Science Center, endowed the Jack Fellowship in 1999. A committee appointed by the BSC Foundation selects the recipients.
 

About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.