Student Profile

Name: Karen Sorensen

Program/degree seeking: Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture

What is NDSU's biggest strength?

NDSU's biggest strength is its faculty! The innovative educators and researchers boost the energy level and strengthen the academic standing and reputation of the school.

What is your favorite part about NDSU?

My favorite part of NDSU is its friendliness. Even though it is a big school, the cooperation and friendliness often makes it feel like a "small town." The camaraderie here is unusual—and many people at other schools envy it. Everyone from Mike the shuttle driver to our new president, Dean Bresciani, contributes to the positive atmosphere on campus.

Why did you choose NDSU?

I chose NDSU because I've lived and worked in Fargo/Moorhead for almost 20 years. When I decided to go back to school for my Ph.D., I was fortunate to have a program that was perfect for me right here in town. Most people have to go across the country to get the degree they want, but for me, it was right here. I feel really lucky about that—and so does my family.

How has NDSU helped prepare you for your future?

My ultimate goal is to be a professor, and I feel that I am being given the tools I need to be successful. The faculty and my fellow graduate students have provided sound advice to help me prepare for my future career and to help me find the "right job" when the time is right.

Why is NDSU a good fit for you as a graduate student?

First, my interests are encouraged and fostered here. My instructors work very hard to make sure that my educational experiences are what I need them to be. I've been able to meet scholars at the top of their fields and learn from them—some of them are faculty members here and some are visiting scholars. Second, I sincerely like my fellow graduate students and student senators and have found some good friends among them, even though I am older than most of them by a number of years. Last, NDSU has been a wonderful place for me to be professionally, intellectually, and personally.