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Author Overview

Debora Dragseth, Ph.D. is an award-winning writer, educator, and leadership trainer who brings both intellectual rigor and creativity to every project she undertakes. Dr. Dragseth has spent more than three decades shaping minds and advancing academic innovation. Her distinguished career includes service as Vice President and Provost, Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, and a three-time president of the DSU Faculty Senate. In recognition of her impact, she received Dickinson State’s highest faculty honor, the Distinguished Educator of the Year Award in 2024, was named the student-elected Outstanding Faculty Member, and has received numerous other academic honors throughout her career.


Dr. Dragseth’s influence extends beyond the classroom. She has served as president of the North Dakota University System’s statewide Council of College Faculties and served as the faculty representative on the State Board of Higher Education.


A national award-winning journalist, author, published poet, artist, and photographer, she blends analytical insight with storytelling excellence. Her writing appears in magazines, newspapers, and organizational publications across the country, including Newsweek and NewGeography. In 2025, she co-authored The ABC Book for Little Blue Hawks and is completing 100 Years of DSU Football, a centennial tribute to the university’s athletic legacy.


With an M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Strategy from the University of Nebraska, Dr. Dragseth pairs academic depth with real-world insight.

Career

Experience

Leadership Roles:

Vice-president of Academic and Student Affairs/Provost (2020-2022)

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Director, Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (2014-2016)

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Officer, Pi Sigma Delta National Business Honors Society (2012-2024)

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Chair, Department of Business and Management (2012-2013)

 

Small Business Institute Director (1992-1994)

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Director, Center for Management & Leadership Corporate Training Program (1990-2000)

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Link to my resume: Dr. Debora Dragseth

Academic Positions:

2025-present Dickinson State University

Faculty Emerita

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2022-2025 Dickinson State University
Baker Boy Professor of Leadership


2020-2022 Dickinson State University

Vice-president of Academic and Student Affairs/Provost

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1989-2025 Dickinson State University

Professor of Management, School of Business and Entrepreneurship


2005-promoted to associate professor
2006-tenured
2011-promoted to full professor

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1988-1989 University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Adjunct Professor

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1987-1989 National American University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Adjunct Professor

Achievements

2025 NDPC First-place awards: 

  • News Story – Online Publication: “Decades of Dedication: Celebrating Pete Leno’s Legacy at Dickinson State”

  • Personality Profile: “A Life Remembered: Tyler Plummer’s Tree Flourishes at DSU”

  • Columns – Informational: “Lessons in Business: Paws and Effect” ·

  • Specialty Series – Sports: “Running the Distance: Coach Whittkopp’s Winning Strategy”

  • Specialty Articles – Food: “Lefse Diplomacy: Using the Power of Food to Bind Families Together”

  • Newsletter/Other Publication: The DSU Heritage Foundation Magazine (with co-editor James “Scooter” Pursley and designer Sarah Selle from Quality Quick Print)

  • Single Photograph – Photo Illustration: “Little Missouri in the North Dakota Badlands”

 

2025 National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards:
First-place award writing and editing the 2024 DSU Heritage Foundation Magazine for Alumni and Friends

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HONORS AND AWARDS: ACADEMIC

  • Dickinson State University Distinguished Educator of the Year Award (2024)

  • Dickinson State University Excellence in Teaching Award (2023)

  • Spirit of Rotary Community Service Award (2020)

  • Workplace Innovation Grant, North Dakota United (2019)

  • Best Local College Professor, Best of the Western Edge (2018)

  • Cover Art, Acrylic, Dickinson State University, Impressions, vol. XXX (2018)

  • Business Ethics Class and professor Debora Dragseth, Outstanding Volunteer Group, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northern Plains Chapter (2017)

  • Dickinson State University Innovative Teacher of the Year (2015)

  • Wye Faculty Fellow: The Aspen Institute (2009)

  • Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year (2008)

  • Dickinson State University Distinguished Professor of the Year (2002)

  • MDU Resources Group Visiting Professor of the Year (1995)

  • Student Elected Outstanding Faculty Award (1989-1990)

  • Delta Mu Delta National Business Honor Society (1983)

  • Kappa Sigma Iota Scholastic Honor Society (1983)

Contributions

 COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member, Vision West ND Consortium (2024-present)

  • Member, Rotary International—community projects and public relations committees (2018-present)

  • Member, National Business Education Association (2018-2020)

  • Member, Power of 100 Women Who Care, Selection Committee (2015-present)

  • Member, Dickinson Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee (2015-2019)

  • Member, Family Selection Committee, Habitat for Humanity (2008)

  • Member, Roosevelt-Custer Regional Council Advisory Committee (2007-2009)

  • Member, American Mensa Scholarship Review Committee (2007)

  • President, Dickinson Public Schools Foundation Board (2005)

  • Member, Dickinson Area Educators Credit Union Audit Committee (Chair, 2004)

  • Member, National Association of Press Women (2004-present)

  • Member, North Dakota Professional Communicators (2004-present)

  • Member, Southwest Area Human Resource Association (2004-2017)

  • Member, Dickinson Public Schools Foundation Board (2001-2005)

  • Member, Developmental Disabilities Regional Advisory Council (1999-2000)

  • President of the Board, ABLE, Inc. (1996, 2002). Board Member (1993-2002)

  • Member, North Dakota Business Roundtable Task Force on Education (1993)

  • Member, Dickinson Economic Development Committee (1990-1992)

  • Member, Chamber of Commerce Business/Education Committee (1990-1992)

  • Member, Dickinson Area Chamber Board of Directors (1990-1991)

  • Member, West River Business Center Board of Directors (1990-1993)

  • Founding Board Member, West River Business Center (Business Incubator) (1990)

  • Member, Midwest Academy of Management (1989-2020)

  • Member, American Mensa (1986-present)

  • Member, Stark County Manufacturers’ Roundtable (1990-present)

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