Scholarship Profiles - Taylalyn Kaczmar, Clayton Ledahl, & Gracey Russell

Let us introduce three more Dakota West Annual Scholarship recipients from three different Dakota West branches. Taylalyn Kaczmar of Watford City will be starting at North Dakota State University this month working towards her goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. Her thoughts on the importance of communication relate directly to her future plans.

“Once in the medical field, discussion with providers and patients will be critical for the best and efficient care to be provided. I recognize that having effective communication in the workplace can determine and impact how well my relationships with my superiors, coworkers, and patients will be. I have been practicing good communication skills, and I will continue to improve these skills. I strive to be the best I can for those around me, and I feel that communication will make that difference.”

Also pursuing a career in the medical profession, Gracey Russell of Washburn recognizes the impact of both current global circumstances and the importance of communication now more than ever.

“With the current situation throughout the world, scientists, doctors, and government officials need to communicate so that there is a cure coming, the proper precautions are taken, and that people need to stay away from others and certain things, such as indoor dining need to be closed.” Gracey resumes her studies this month at Bismarck State College where she will be studying Nursing.

Clayton Ledahl of Grenora will be studying Business Management in his home county at Williston State College and is already planning for life after college and how Communication will play a role in his success.

“After I graduate college I plan to open and run my own business. If I do open up my own business, I would have to do interviews with potential workers. In order to do this I’d be communicating with the people I’m interviewing. After I hire workers, I would have to talk with them every day, as well, beings they work for me.”

We wish Clayton, Gracey, and Tayla an exciting and productive school year as they reach towards their long-term goals. They certainly represent what we hope for and partner with our members to provide every day. Good luck to all our scholarship recipients!

Scholarship Profiles - Hannah Johnson & Morgan Reiser

Dakota West applauds two more of our scholarship recipients: Hannah Johnson of Grenora and Morgan Reiser of Turtle Lake, both of whom are heading into their second year of college. These women rely heavily on Communication and shared their experiences on their applications.

Morgan studies Nursing at Dakota College at Bottineau but found herself in an unusual situation midway through her second semester. “I had left campus for spring break without my books, only carrying my laptop to check up on my classes. Soon, it was communicated across the state that students could not return to campus. I started to panic, as I had no books and now, I had to continue my education through online learning. If not for communication with the school, I would have had to navigate classes without my book. Thankfully, I was able to rush back to campus and grab my books and more clothes.”

Hannah, a two-time Dakota West Scholarship recipient, is making a career out of Communication at the University of North Dakota. “Currently, communication in the world has adapted from face-to-face interactions to other forms, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regardless of being in a time of adapting to different circumstances or not, we should try to communicate effectively so the illusion that communication took place, is not a problem.” Hannah is also seeking a double major in Marketing.

We proudly recognize these young women as they continue their education here in North Dakota and thank them for being outstanding members of Dakota West Credit Union.

Watch for more individual profiles of these outstanding young members throughout the summer.

Meet Michala Kueffler

When she started college, Michala Kueffler planned to be a nurse. She studied all through college and even anticipated earning her graduate degree in the health care profession, but life sometimes takes another course.

Growing up in Grenora, Michala’s father worked for Dakota West for almost a quarter of a century and when the opportunity arose for her to follow in his footsteps three years ago, she really wanted to change direction. “I really wanted it,” she recalled of her chance to start as a part-time Member Service Representative. Today she serves our western-most community and its members full time.

Besides living and working in the same community, Michala enjoys the opportunity to really get to know everyone she helps, seeing the same faces and spending each day in a friendly atmosphere that welcomes her, and where she welcomes others. “Our members like to be able to talk to someone they know,” and Michala is definitely that someone. “That is something that is lost at bigger banks.”

On weekends, she helps her family raise cattle and when she can, she gets out to ride the horses. Michala recognizes that her change in careers is kind of the way life went, and for the members of Dakota West, we’re so glad it did.

Stop into one of our branches today and discover why our communities matter to us and meet someone you can talk to about your financial needs, too.