MSU President's Newspaper Column
September 12, 2026
Mayville State students power the workforce while pursuing their degrees
When people think about college students, they often picture classrooms, textbooks, and campus activities. At Mayville State University, students are doing much more than pursuing degrees. Every day, they are helping to fill critical workforce needs across the region, while supporting local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, agriculture operations, and public service entities while simultaneously earning their college education.
From Mayville to Portland, Hatton, Hillsboro, Buxton, Grand Forks, Fargo, and beyond, Mayville State students play an essential role in keeping local communities running. Their contributions demonstrate the university’s strong connection to the region and its commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to make an impact. In many cases, these students help businesses meet staffing demands while gaining valuable real-world experience that complements their academic studies.
One of the most unique examples of students meeting workforce needs can be found at Central Valley School in Buxton this fall, where Mayville State sophomore Avery Lessard, who is pursuing a major in elementary education and a minor in music, is tag-teaming with 2024 Mayville State graduate Mackenzie Iverson. Together, they have assumed responsibility for the school’s elementary music program, with Iverson teaching first and second grades and Lessard teaching kindergarten and grades three through five.
The pair plans and teaches music lessons that include singing, movement, listening activities, music games, and instruction in new musical concepts.
Avery said it has been exciting to work with the students at different grade levels, but also challenging, since this is the first time she’s done something like this. She travels nearly 20 miles each day from Mayville to the school to teach. She balances her teaching responsibilities with a full college course load, her role as a Peer Leader at Mayville State, working at a daycare center in Buxton, and involvement with a children’s choir in Grand Forks, N.D.
She said, “Being able to balance college classes, teaching music, working, and life has given me valuable experiences. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work with students while gaining hands-on teaching experience and continuing my own college education. It has been a great way to connect what I am learning at Mayville State with real classroom experiences, and it has made me even more excited about becoming a teacher.
Mayville State students are not waiting until graduation to contribute. They are serving as educators, caregivers, agricultural workers, public service employees, and business professionals while developing the skills and experience that will benefit them throughout their careers. Their contributions are especially important as communities throughout North Dakota continue to face workforce shortages in key industries. Mayville State students help address immediate staffing needs while building the talent pipeline that will support North Dakota’s future.
After earning their degrees, the greater percentage of Mayville State graduates remain in North Dakota and continue serving in high-demand professions. They become teachers who educate the next generation, healthcare professionals who care for patients, business leaders who strengthen local economies, public servants who help to keep us safe, and professionals who make a difference in countless fields that are essential to thriving communities.
The value of a Mayville State education extends beyond the classroom. Through their work, service, and commitment to their communities, students are making an impact long before they receive their diplomas. These students are not only preparing for the workforce of tomorrow. They are an essential part of the workforce today, all while being full-time students in many cases.