Karla Haug receives Campus Kudo of the month

Since 2005, Karla Haug, assistant professor of practice in the School of Nursing, has been working to teach and advise students so their education can lead to a satisfactory success story.

On Jan. 9, Haug was acknowledged by the North Dakota State Staff Senate, which represents NDSU staff members, with the Campus Kudo of the month. The certificate states that the Campus Kudo is “a token of appreciation for individuals and groups that deserve recognition for their contribution to the NDSU community” and continued to acknowledge “that quality work is a common occurrence at NDSU, there are times when an especially heartfelt thank you is in order.”

When Haug found out she was receiving the award, she explained how she was “very excited and very honored.”

Missy DeHann, academic and career adviser for the Advising Resource Center, nominated Haug for the award. “Missy honored me for things that you somewhat take for granted. I try to meet the needs of my students the best I can and to find out answers for them and to ask the questions for them,” Haug explained.

Throughout the years, Haug and DeHann have worked together to make the lives of students less stressful when it came to their academic careers. Haug is not afraid to ask questions for her students and to clarify with others about requirements in campus connection that are not being accurately entered. Instead of having students constantly ask questions to not only her, but records and registration as well, Haug asks for information to be sent to her before her students so she can check it over for any mistakes, so her students don’t have to. This leads students to be less stressed and have less questions.

Haug said she wants students to have a good experience through her teaching and advising. “Students have decreased satisfaction if things are wrong or if things aren’t crossed off like you said they would,” Haug explained.

She said she takes the time to do her job and make sure things are done correctly: “I think faculty who have that real passion for student success do a good job on a regular basis.” Haug explained how there are faculty members across the campus that take the time and effort to make their students’ experience a satisfactory one.

After students graduate from the nursing program, they are asked to fill out questionnaires about their experiences. Haug shared a couple anonymous responses she received. One explained how because of Haug, a student “felt supported throughout (the nursing program).” When asked about strengths within the program, a student responded that Haug was the strength.

“Those type of things always make me very happy and make me realize that my extra efforts of answering questions at 10 o’ clock at night are appreciated and that students do value that component of what I do,” Haug said.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing, Haug wanted to go graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Originally, Haug was inspired by her aunt who was a nurse practitioner, but once she learned what they actually do, she realized it was not meant for her. She started her nursing career on a cardiac progressive care unit, which teaches about diet, medications, etc. Through this she found her love for teaching.

It was, and still is, satisfying for her to see the “ah-ha” moment where students put what they have learned together and everything clicks in their mind.

This isn’t the first award Haug has been acknowledged for. In 2013, she received the Advising Award in the School of Nursing, and in 2006, an Outstanding New Member Award from the Professional Nursing Organization.