Honoring Leadership and Service: USD Employees Receive Patriotic Employer Award
The award is given to a supervisor who contributes to national security and protects liberty and freedom by supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve Forces of the United States. It also reflects efforts to support citizen warriors through flexible schedules, leave before and after deployment, family care and approved absences when needed.
“This award has deepened my commitment to advocating for military-connected employees and the importance of leading with empathy, flexibility and purpose,” said Schoenfelder. “It’s about creating a culture where service members feel respected, valued and empowered to succeed both in their military roles and in their civilian careers.”
Schoenfelder and Hackemer were nominated by Joseph Knoer, USD student veteran resource center coordinator and career coach, who has served in the South Dakota Army National Guard for 15 years. Over the last two years, Knoer has worked closely with Schoenfelder and Hackemer, who consistently accommodate his service-related commitments.
“They understand that training opportunities can arrive on short notice,” Knoer said. “They meet with students, take on additional appointments in my absence and ensure the Student Veteran Resource Center operates efficiently when I’m away for training.”
Supporting Those Who Serve
USD is committed to serving active-duty service members and veterans and their family.
USD and USD — Sioux Falls were two of nine schools in South Dakota to be recognized as military-friendly schools in the 2025 spring edition of “G.I. Jobs” magazine.
“USD gives service members the comfort of returning to everyday life after fulfilling their obligations,” said Knoer. “It speaks volumes of USD’s commitment to help ensure we maintain national security, as well as security within our state and community.”
To support that commitment, USD offers a range of campus resources designed to ease the transition from military service to student life, including the Student Veterans Resource Center, Veteran Center Counseling Services and a sponsor program that assists service members’ transition to campus life.
The university also houses the Department of Military Science in the College of Arts & Sciences, where students train to become leaders both in the field and on the job. Through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), USD educates and trains students to commission as second lieutenants in the United States Army to serve the state and country.
“Students, staff and faculty can focus on the mission when training and when activated for state and federal duty,” said Knoer. “USD provides job security for employees and academic security for students.”
“At USD, we’re committed to creating an environment where every individual can thrive,” Schoenfelder said. “We create a space for employees to share their backgrounds and illustrate how their experiences can help shape their work."
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