Program Coordinator, Transition and Access Program, NDSU
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: Hi! My name is Jordan, and I am originally from Bismarck, North Dakota. I came to Fargo to earn my bachelor’s degree at North Dakota State University and ended up putting down roots as a lifelong Bison. After finishing my degree in psychology, I decided to continue my education and am now wrapping up my PhD in Developmental Science. In my role as the Program Coordinator for NDSU’s Transition and Access Program, I work alongside students with intellectual disabilities to help make college a reality. Seeing students build confidence and a sense of belonging on campus is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Overall, I’m a researcher and educator who cares deeply about expanding access and inclusion in education. At my core, I’m driven by people and the desire to help people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: My most influential mentor was Sara Bohrer, a former teacher of mine and the lead of the Peer to Peer program. She not only showed me the power of inclusion but also the importance of using your voice and actions to create change. She instilled in me the confidence to go against the flow and make a change where I see it is needed.
Without her influence and mentorship, I would never have pushed to create the Transition and Access Program, and the program would not have grown into what it is today. I still seek her guidance and have the honor of celebrating not only my own wins, but also the successes of the many students she has guided who are now making exceptional contributions in the world of disability advocacy.
Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: Success looks many different ways to me right now, but overall, I feel most successful when I can see the impact of my efforts and when I am able to embrace the good around me. It can be easy to feel like the work is endless and that there is always one more thing to do. I have had to come to terms with the idea that you can always create more work for yourself and more milestones to chase.
Because of that, I have worked intentionally to look back on my past efforts and appreciate what I have already accomplished. Success also does not have to mean changing the world. I have surrounded myself with some of the most amazing people who truly fill my cup, and I feel deeply successful in the love and friendships I experience. Any selfdoubt or fear of failure is quickly eased by the people who cheer me on and celebrate even the smallest wins.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
A: A lesson I wish I had learned earlier in my career is how to ask for feedback and truly use it to improve. For a long time, I was afraid of making mistakes and of not being perfect. The reality is that none of us is perfect, and there is always room to grow. When you are unwilling to acknowledge your weaknesses, you often end up standing in your own way. It took time for me to become comfortable receiving feedback without being defensive. The most important shift for me was learning to initiate feedback and to do so often. When feedback happens on your terms, it feels less intimidating and more constructive. Over time, consistently seeking feedback helped me build confidence and grow more quickly. I am by no means perfect at accepting feedback, but I am far more open and prepared for evaluation than I once was.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: United Way is important to me because it focuses on the conditions people need to live well over time, not just on short-term fixes. So often, efforts to support people focus on isolated problems without addressing broader circumstances that may influence someone’s livelihood. Our well-being is influenced by our environments, including family stability, access to education, economic security, and the strength of our communities. When these systems are lacking or unavailable, there are lasting consequences. United Way’s work recognizes that lasting change happens when families have consistent access to basic needs and realistic pathways to stability. This support is so important at every stage of life, no matter a person’s background. I think what resonates most with me is United Way’s emphasis on structural change. By investing in people and communities as a whole, United Way helps create communities where people can feel secure and supported.
Q: What is a quote you would frame on your desk?
A: The motto I live by is “We are doing it.” Good, bad, or ugly, it reminds me that progress matters and that moving forward is often enough for today.
