USD School of Education Students Charter Chapters of Two National Organizations
Both organizations are affiliated with the National Education Association. Educators Rising supports students who are interested in the field of education from middle school through college, while Aspiring Educators serves college students preparing to enter the profession. USD has long partnered with Educators Rising South Dakota by hosting an annual Educators Rising Day on campus. The university is also set to host the South Dakota Educators Rising State Conference in February 2027.
The new organizations further the USD School of Education’s commitment to strengthening the educator workforce and supporting the next generation of teachers in South Dakota and beyond.
To prepare for the launch of the new collegiate chapters this fall, USD faculty and students attended two national conferences from June 19-23.
Jacqueline Wilber, Ed.D. ’07, director of the Center for Student & Professional Services, and Melissa Griese ’19, advisor for both organizations, accompanied student leaders Sylvia Arp, president; Aspen Hickey, vice president; Claire Nida, treasurer; and Heather Honkomp, communications director, to the Educators Rising National Conference in Portland, Oregon.
A highlight of the conference was the opportunity for USD students to serve as judges for national competitive events featuring high school students from across the country. Evaluating presentations and performances from top student competitors gave the USD delegation a unique perspective on the skills, creativity and professionalism demonstrated by future educators.
The conference was especially meaningful for Arp, who participated in Educators Rising while attending Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, South Dakota. As a high school student, Arp competed at nationals in the Interactive Bulletin Board category. Now as an elementary education major at USD, she reconnected with her former teacher leader and South Dakota Educators Rising State Director Travis Lape while in Portland.
Just days later, Griese traveled with Arp, Hickey and Hannah Collins, an elementary education major, to the Aspiring Educators National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Together, these students represent the leadership team that will launch USD’s Aspiring Educators chapter this fall.
Conference sessions focused on educator leadership, professional sustainability, workplace conditions and supporting new teachers as they enter the profession. Students returned with ideas and resources they plan to use as they build opportunities for future educators at USD.
“These experiences gave our students the opportunity to learn from educators and teacher candidates from across the country while bringing back ideas to strengthen our programs at USD,” said Griese. “We are excited to launch both chapters and create meaningful leadership and professional development opportunities for future teachers.”
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