VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – The university experience for a student is formed by experience in and out of the classroom. In fact, more than 75% of a student’s time is spent outside the classroom. Consequently, the quality of those experiences contributes significantly to the success of each student.
July 15, 2024, will mark the end of an era at VCSU with the retirement of Dr. Erin Klingenberg, vice president for student affairs. Erin began her career here in 1990 as an instructor in the Health and Physical Education (HPE) department and coach for volleyball and softball. In 1991 she accepted the counseling position and began service as the Coordinator of Student Activities and Counseling. Subsequent roles in retention and human resources led to her serving as a faculty member in Psychology. After earning her doctoral degree in Human Development (Counselor Education and Supervision), she taught psychology and served as the director of counseling until she accepted the role as Dean of Student Affairs in March 2021 and became Vice President for Student Affairs in March 2022. Dr. Klingenberg contributes to her position through continued service as a supervisor for new counselors across North Dakota as they earn their licensure.
Dr. Klingenberg has provided consistent, reliable, professional, empathetic, and calm leadership in her role. The increasing demand for mental health programming led to an expansion in counseling services beginning in 2019. Her leadership resulted in the addition of 2 full-time equivalents in this area, which has provided an important service for our students and their success. She encourages and guides each director under her supervision to be the best in their respective areas. She supports and advocates for all the student affairs employees so all know they belong and are valued. Her leadership has provided awareness for the value of student affairs and the programs under her supervision.
Some of the notable achievements in Student Affairs during her tenure include:
- Leading efforts to develop the “stay-n-save” program which guarantees that students will never pay an increase in housing rates should they continue to reside in residence halls all four years.
- Improvements to the university apartments and grounds – with painting, signage, updates and fencing making the apartments pet friendly.
- Taught Mental Health First Aid for the North Dakota University System campuses and brought this internationally recognized program to the campus and community.
- Updated the student center with new ceiling tiles and improved and renovated the student lounge areas.
- Led efforts for window replacement in McCoy Hall (residence hall).
As we celebrate the achievements and career of Dr. Erin Klingenberg we recognize her contributions to our campus and community are significant and one article simply can’t capture the extensive and positive impact she has had here. We celebrate her career achievements and wish her the very best for a long, healthy, and happy retirement with her family and friends. We will miss you, Erin! Go Vikings!
VCSU president Dr. Alan LaFave