Challey Student Spotlight: Haven Fitterer
NDSU Sophomore in Business Management
Haven, a sophomore at North Dakota State University majoring in Business Management, wants to work in human resources, specifically talent acquisition. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, she knew early on that she didn’t want to pursue graduate school but still wanted to work closely with people and help shape workplace culture. That’s what drew her to HR, and why she has found her experiences with the Challey Institute so meaningful.
“The Challey Institute has added so much depth to what I’m learning,” she explained. “In business classes, you learn how companies operate, but Challey incorporates the policy and economics perspective, which provides me with a broader understanding of how decisions are made in the real world. It’s those extra layers that make all the difference.”
Her involvement began with a scholarship, but it quickly grew into something more. She has taken Challey-affiliated classes, such as ECON 205, where the discussion-based format and teacher stood out from her other coursework.
“In a lot of classes, you just listen to lectures,” she said. “But in ECON 205, we actually talk. We hear different sides of issues and back them up with research. You can share your opinion without fear of being canceled—it’s a respectful and open space for discussion.”
One reading, in particular, stood out: a comparative discussion on socialism and capitalism. “Reading Jason Brennan’s Why Not Capitalism? really stuck with me,” she said. “He made such a strong case for capitalism and the importance of decentralized decision-making. It just clicked.”
Outside of class, Haven stays busy. She’s the business manager at The Spectrum student newspaper, handling payroll and budgeting, and serves as vice president of the Human Resources Club. She is also active in the Women in Business Club, the HR Club, and her campus ministry, Chi Alpha. She recently landed an internship with Titan Machinery in West Fargo, which starts in the summer. This internship is helping her gain practical experience in the field she hopes to enter after graduation.
“The Challey Institute has helped me build a professional network,” she said. “Through speakers and events, I’ve connected with people in the industry and gotten a better sense of what’s possible in my career.”
When asked what advice she’d give to incoming students, Haven didn’t hesitate: “Join clubs—any club! I didn’t get involved immediately, but it changed everything once I did. It’s how you meet people, grow your community, and gain confidence.”
Her time at NDSU has also reshaped her perspective on success and purpose. “Before coming to Challey, I had never really heard the term human flourishing,” she said. “Now I think about it as innovation, creating value for others, and thinking beyond just yourself. Challey opened my eyes to that.”
Haven is expected to graduate in Spring 2026. As she continues to explore a career in talent acquisition, she plans to stay engaged with Challey Institute programs that offer real-world insights, professional connections, and opportunities to think beyond the classroom.
The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions that enhance economic growth and opportunity. Learn more at www.ndsu.edu/challeyinstitute
