NE North Dakota News

Minot, N.D. – Faith Hegstad, a recent graduate of Minot State University (MSU), has embarked on her legal education journey at Pennsylvania State University Law School this fall. Her decision to pursue law came after initially enrolling as a social work major at MSU, following in her mother's footsteps.

"I decided to be a social work major before I ever knew I was going to go to law school," said Hegstad.

Hegstad's interest in law began during her senior year of high school when she took a law class that piqued her curiosity. She later added a minor in law and legal studies while pursuing her degree in social work. Her involvement in extracurricular activities played a significant role in preparing her for the demands of law school.

"What prepared me most was getting involved with different programs, different scholar programs, and the community," Hegstad stated. "Being at Minot State, with all the opportunities that were available and all the things I was able to become part of, really helped me with getting me ready for law school."

Among these experiences was participation in the Looyenga Business Leadership program. "It was very fascinating to be able to see multiple different perspectives and different majors throughout undergrad," she said.

Hegstad also participated in the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD) Scholar Program after being nominated by Rebecca Daigneault, Minot State Assistant Professor of Social Work.

"Faith was my advisee throughout her four years at Minot State...I nominated her to the NDCPD Interdisciplinary Scholar Program for the 2021-22 school year and she was accepted," Daigneault noted.

Jolynn Webster from NDCPD supervised Hegstad during this program. "Through the Scholar Program, Faith had opportunities...All of these components equipped Faith to gain competence and skills in supporting individuals with disabilities," Webster explained.

Hegstad completed a research project titled "Academic Interventions for Diverse Learners: A Guide for Faculty in Post-Secondary Education." The results were presented at various events including an annual session at Minot State and another conference in Washington D.C., as mentioned by Daigneault.

Lacey Corneliusen, another professor who taught Hegstad multiple times, remarked on her engagement and leadership qualities within academic settings. "Her organizational skills further contributed to the collaborative environment," Corneliusen said.

Daigneault also praised Hegstad's ability to manage multiple commitments effectively: "It was amazing to see how Faith effectively juggled her academics...She made it look easy!"

As she continues her studies at Penn State Law School, Hegstad remains appreciative of the mentorship received from MSU faculty members like Corneliusen and Daigneault. "I felt so grateful for Lacey and Becky," she expressed warmly about their support during her undergraduate years.

Minot State University is committed to providing rigorous academic experiences alongside active learning environments fostering public service engagement through vibrant campus life activities.