Degrees:

Ph. D., Candidate

(ABD October 2005)

                        Sociology, South Dakota State University, December 2005

                        Emphases: Race and Ethnic Relations; Deviance

Master of Arts

                         Sociology, University of South Dakota, December 2000

Bachelor of Science,

                        University of South Dakota, August 1999 Major,

                        Major, Criminal Justice; Minor, Alcohol and Drug Studies

Employment:

Assistant Professor                            Presentation College                         Aberdeen, SD

Work in both the Arts & Sciences Department and Social Work Department at Presentation College.  I teach in the areas of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminal Justice.  I also serve on various academic committees for the betterment of the college and its employees and students.   

Research Fellow                         First Nations Development Institute       Fredericksburg, VA

Worked on project specific duties in accordance with grant or institutional requirements.  As a Research Fellow I worked directly in research and policy directed towards Native American issues and economic development.  

Research Officer                        First Nations Development Institute      Fredericksburg, VA

As Research Officer, I was responsible for planning, designing and gathering quantitative and qualitative data research for applied policy issues concerning Native Americans. I worked directly with research focused on Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Graduate Teaching Assistant    South Dakota State University                      Brookings, SD

During my tenure as a graduate teaching assistant, I have had the opportunity to instruct a number of undergraduate courses for the Department of Rural Sociology at South Dakota State University.  The classes I developed included Introduction to Sociology (SOC 100), Social Problems (SOC 150), Introduction to Criminal Justice (SOC 201), and Juvenile Justice (SOC 436).  My responsibilities include, but are not limited to: developing and delivering course lectures, designing appropriate exams, and providing technical assistance to students, by creating opportunities to explore available options within the fields of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

 Adjunct Faculty                         Kilian Community College                              Sioux Falls, SD

Developed and instructed an Introduction to Sociology course for the Humanities Department for the Kilian Community College.  The contract with Kilian allowed me opportunity to work with a diverse student population. The style of my course provided a more hands on experience and exposed the student to understand how the science of Sociology can affect their everyday life. 

Adjunct Faculty USDSU Campus      University of South Dakota                    Sioux Falls, SD

Developed and instructed an Introduction to Sociology course for the Social Behavior Department for the University of South Dakota.  Due to the nature and the class make up, I was afforded the opportunity to develop a unique course curriculum that made the learning experience more interactive and I believe more rewarding to the students. 

Community Impact Director             Sioux Empire United Way                        Sioux Falls, SD

My responsibilities for the Sioux Empire United Way included managing the allocation of more than $6 million in public funds to 37 social service agencies that covered over 75 different community programs.  Program review and evaluation was a critical part of my duties.  I performed qualitative and quantitative reviews of programs and policies, as well as financial disclosures and audit records to ensure that all partnering agencies were meeting specified federal requirements stipulated by the Internal Revenue Service 501c3, Non-profit Status. In addition, I was responsible for researching and implementing community-wide initiatives aimed at solving social problems. 

Graduate Teaching Assistant             University of South Dakota               Vermillion, SD

Developed and instructed an Introduction to Sociology course for the Social Behavior Department for the University of South Dakota.  My responsibilities include developing course lectures, designing tests, and provide students with the opportunity to explore available options within the field of Sociology. 

Senatorial Intern (July-August 1997)

Being selected to participate in a United States Senatorial internship provided me with my first professional federal legislative experience.  The opportunity allowed me to research and respond to selected constituent concerns.  Responsibilities ranged from clerical to professional work, including assisting staff members with federal regulation language and policy drafting. 

 

Courses Instructed:

Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Social Psychology Juvenile Justice, Institutional Racism & Sexism, Social Welfare Policy

 

Research Interests:

Social Evaluation Research, Needs and Program Assessment, Data Analysis and Strategic Planning Research regarding the following issues:  Human Health; Social Policy; Urbanization; Immigration; Demographic Transition; Rural Development; Education; Social Deviance.

 

Publication & Presentations:

Chapter Co-Author First Nations Development Institute (2007). Integrated Asset-Building Strategies for Reservation-Based Communities: A 27-Year Retrospective of First Nations Development Institute. Longmont, CO: First Nations Development Institute.

Schultz, Aaron L., 2004. “Sample Syllabus for an Introduction to Sociology Course.”                              American Sociological Association Resource Manual. 6th ed

 

Presentations:

March 2008 Aberdeen Lunch and Learn "isms...economics....and the Pink Elephant" 

May 2007 Regional Aging Conference. Securing funds for Community/Senior Centers. 

April 2007 Western Social Sciences Association International Conference.  “Research-driven Policy in the Asset-Based Economic Development Field”

September 2006 Center for Economic Development (CFED) Conference ‘A Lifetime of Assets’ Native Asset Building – 25 Years of Work First Nations Development Institute.

April 2006 Western Social Sciences Association.  Coalition Building in Indian Country: Promising Practices in Oklahoma and Arizona.  

February 2006 Assets for Alaska.  Native Asset Building.

December 2005 Administration for Native American:  Individual Development Accounts and Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach in Native Communities.

 

Committees:

Welfare Committee 2006-present, Graduation Requirements/Grades Ad Hoc 2006-present, Curriculum Committee, Regional Aging Council, Home Health/Hospice Advisory Board of Avera St. Luke's Hospital, 2007 President Elect United Way of Northeastern South Dakota.

 

Professional Awards and Affiliations:

NESD United Way Board of Directors 2007-2010, Senior Center Taskforce Committee, 2004 Robert T. and Mary K. Wagner Endowment, Recipient; American Sociological Association, Member, 2002 Published American Sociological Association Teaching Resource Guide, Western Social Sciences Member, Alpha Kappa Delta Sociological Honor Society, Chapter Treasurer, September 2002- present; Great Plains Sociological Association, Member, 2002-present; Wahpeton Dakota Nation, Lake Traverse Reservation, South Dakota, Enrolled Member .