NE North Dakota News

Olivia Reiser, a student at Minot State University, initially did not plan to become a teacher despite coming from a family of educators. She pursued exercise science and rehabilitation but eventually completed a double major in physical education, encouraged by her parents.

“I think I planned to drop the major three times, and I was very serious about dropping it after my fall semester as a senior,” Reiser said. “I only had student teaching left for the degree, and my parents encouraged me to finish the degree so I could have something if my plans didn’t work out.”

Her student teaching experience changed her perspective, leading her to start teaching in Bottineau this fall. “I really enjoyed my student teaching experience,” she stated.

Reiser still dreams of becoming an athletic trainer. Her interest began in high school and solidified at Lake Region State College when she worked with an athletic trainer. At Minot State, she gained further experience with Trinity Health's athletic training staff.

“When transferring to Minot State, I started with exercise science and rehabilitation pre-AT. I wasn’t sure about going to graduate school right away, so I decided on the double major,” Reiser explained. She plans to teach temporarily while pursuing her goal of becoming an athletic trainer. She has been accepted into the University of North Dakota's program but deferred enrollment for a year.

At Minot State, Reiser worked as a "hydration technician" for the football team and later assisted athletic trainers. She learned various skills like taping and rehab programs during this time.

“I had the most amazing experience working with the athletic trainers on campus,” Reiser remarked.

Balancing these responsibilities with her studies was challenging for Reiser. To manage stress, she relied on organization tools like calendars and to-do lists.

“The biggest key to my stress and time management is my calendar and to-do lists," she noted.

Reiser will also deliver the undergraduate address at this year's Commencement Ceremony at Minot State University. “I had never even thought the opportunity would arise for me to speak,” she shared.

Reflecting on her journey at Minot State, where many family members have studied before her, Reiser expressed gratitude for choosing the university.

“It has felt like a family since day one," she said about Minot State University.

Minot State University is known for its dedication to education excellence through rigorous academics and active learning environments.