Admissions
Admissions Team
When you're ready to learn more about Concordia and really start asking questions, your admissions representative will be one of your greatest assets. Our representatives are eager to visit with you about the Concordia experience and advise you about selecting a college. Search for your representatives by state and territory or by area zip codes and high schools in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Samantha Axvig, Director of Recruitment
Time with Admissions: Started July 2001
Favorite things about Concordia: I love that everyone at Concordia, professors, students, staff, and administration support one another to make each experience successful and each graduate fully prepared to experience the world.
Hobbies & Interests: Spending time playing with my two children and family at the lake.
e-mail: axvig@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Don Buegel, Director of International Recruiting and Support
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Bike ride along the river
Favorite places in the entire world: The world is a wonderful place! I've had terrific experiences in Thailand, Australia, Japan, Norway, Vietnam, New Zealand, Tanzania and other places.
e-mail: buegel@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberDB
Alan Christenson, Admissions Representative
Education: BA in History with a minor in Political Science from Saint John’s University with two years of graduate coursework in History at Utah State University.
Career Background: Before coming to Concordia, I spent time working in International Education, was an Academic Advisor for the University of Colorado for four years, and spent eight years working in private college admissions.
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: Working for Concordia gives me the opportunity to introduce students to the benefits of a great undergraduate liberal arts education.
What Concordia means to me: Concordia is a community of students, faculty and staff in the heart of a vibrant metro area where ideas both big and small are being discovered, discussed and developed. It’s exactly what higher education should be.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: I’m new to the Fargo-Moorhead area and still discovering all the great things it has to offer (and there are tons)!
Favorite place in the entire world: The city of Thira on the island of Santorini, Greece, looking out over the caldera.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Aside from your parents’ influence, where you go to college will probably have the biggest influence on who you become as a person. Think about where you want to be and the kind of people you want to surround yourself with.
e-mail: achris17@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Katherine Halvorson, Senior Admissions Representative/Ambassador Coordinator
Fargo-Moorhead favorite: My favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead is eat at the many restaurants in the area. I love the balance between my favorite chain restaurants like the Olive Garden and Applebee's to unique restaurants like the Thai Orchid.
Advice for applicants: Do not rule Concordia out based on the sticker price. There is so much financial aid to make Concordia a reality for students and families.
e-mail: khalvors@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberKH
Carisa Hendrickson, Senior Admissions Representative
Career Background: Financial services specializing in life insurance & investments
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: The Concordia community sincerely invests in each person on campus and is united by an incredible passion for others.
What Concordia means to me: A commitment to integrity, diversity, servant leadership, and education excellence.
Favorite college memory: Developing lifelong friendships
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Volunteering at the YWCA and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony
Favorite place in the entire world: At the cabin with my family.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Personalize your campus visit and truly experience life as a Cobber! Listen to your heart when deciding on the best fit for YOU!
e-mail: chendri1 @cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberCH
Peter Larson, Enrollment Planning and Data Analyst
Favorite college memory: Touring with the choirs
Applicant advice: Take advantage of as many of the opportunities as possible in college. Go to games, take in concerts, study off-campus and GET INVOLVED!
e-mail: plarson@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberPL
Melanie Lee, Admissions Representative
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: I love the family atmosphere that is present everywhere on campus. I love being a part of a tight knit community where everyone is looking out for the good of another.
What Concordia means to me: Opportunity - Concordia allowed me to have life-changing experiences that truly shaped me into the person I am today. Because of Concordia, I was able to reach goals and achieve dreams that I did not think were possible. I am so thankful for the opportunities I had through Concordia.
Favorite college memory: Taking an international tour to South Korea with The Concordia Choir.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Walk through downtown Fargo on a beautiful day. There are so many great shops and restaurants!
Favorite place in the entire world: My home in Bigfork, Mont.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Do not be afraid to take the opportunity push yourself, challenge yourself, and expect the best out of yourself. That is how you make the most out of the time you have been given.
e-mail: mlee12@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Regina Lieberg, Admissions Representative
Education: Concordia College '11, majoring in Global Studies, Spanish and International Business
Career Background: Prior to Concordia, I managed a small locally owned retail shop in Moorhead, Minn.
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: The community. It is incredible to work with so many individuals who are truly excited about what they do. There is a strong investment in lifelong learning that stresses a constant focus of responsible engagement in our global community. Intellectual conversation and authentic interactions are the norm. Concordia has a unique ability to transform whoever walks on our campus. It is hard to leave without a smile on your face.
What Concordia means to me: Concordia is incredibly valuable to me. To foster an environment that encourages such incredible learning is phenomenal. The students, faculty, and staff continue to impress me, day after day.
Favorite college memory: Studying abroad in Argentina and traveling to Bolivia and Peru. I have never felt so challenged, excited and accomplished. Traveling by bus, boat and eventually plane, I was able to cross the continent while fulfilling lifelong goals and learning so much about myself and the world. I spent my first night in Argentina plotting out the next two years of my Cobber life to figure out how I could cram in this newfound passion of mine. I returned to Concordia with countless memories, a fresh perspective and the motivation to complete a third major.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: I love to play pick-up soccer games with a random collection of people from every crook and cranny of the world. A group of international students from the Fargo-Moorhead area started getting together to play once a week. The group just keeps growing!
Favorite place in the entire world: Córdoba, Argentina. A growing city in the heart of Argentina, surrounded by mountains and full of energy, where time doesn’t matter but relationships do!
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Think about a few things you just can’t live without in college. Then come to campus, and make sure it feels right. Stay overnight, go to class, talk to the faculty, eat the food and experience campus life. If it feels like home, we’ll help you make it happen!
e-mail: lieberg@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Pete Lien, Senior Admissions Representative
Favorite place in the entire world: Florence (Firenze), Italy.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Never settle for being mediocre. Mediocre is no closer to the top than it is from the bottom, so whatever it is that you do in life, do it well and to the best of your abilities.
e-mail: plien@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberPAL
Andy Luikens, Senior Admissions Representative
What Concordia means to me: Empowerment - Concordia allowed me to take control of my education and grow to become a successful student and now professional.
Favorite place in the entire world: My aunt and uncle's cabin on Ashley Lake near Kalispell, Mont. You just can't go wrong with a summer swim in 60°F glacial water.
Applicant advice: Visit campus more than once so that you get a full feel for the college.
e-mail: luikens@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberAL
Krisanne Mogck, Campus Visits, Programs and Events Coordinator
Education: BS in Recreation from North Dakota State University
Career Background: I have worked at Concordia College for 14 ½ years. Eight years in the Office of Student Affairs and the last six years as the campus visits, programs and events coordinator.
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: Working with our amazing college students keeps me young and up-to-date with the currents trends. I like the energy the students bring to campus life. I enjoy meeting and working with students and working with an awesome Admissions team.
What Concordia means to me: Concordia means family, community, friendships, learning and faith.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: There are a lot of great things to do in Fargo Moorhead. I like going to sporting events, shopping, and trying the many different restaurants.
Favorite place in the entire world: I would have to say my house with all of my family home.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Take advantage of your college years by getting involved and participating in all kinds of co-curricular activities and travel opportunities.
e-mail: mogck@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Laura Nye, Senior Admissions Representative
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Inline skating on the flat paths near the Red River.
Applicant advice: Find your passion and run with it. Then leave a legacy.
e-mail: lnye@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberLN
Mike Reese, Director of Student Success and Retention Services, Head Coach Women's Fast Pitch softball
e-mail: reese@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberMR
Steve Schaefer, Director of Enrollment Marketing
Career Background: Higher Ed Administration in Admissions and Development
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: Because everyone Fears the Ear! Besides, it's a great community to be a part of - both on campus and throughout Moorhead and Fargo.
What Concordia means to me: Excellence in all areas. Concordia embodies the proverb that "if something is worth doing, it's worth doing well."
Favorite college memory: Top 5 include, #1 First May Seminar to France, #2 Football game in a blizzard, #3 Earning the nickname "Scobey" in choir and theatre freshman year, #4 First Christmas Concert, #5 Graduation
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Spend time with my family at any one of the numerous entertainment events throughout the year.
Favorite place in the entire world: Other than Scobey, Montana, that would be Paris, overlooking the city from Sacre Coeur.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Visit our campus - along with several others - and find that place where you feel most comfortable in the classroom and all the other elements of the college. That will be your best college choice.
e-mail: schaefer@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberSS
Mary McDaniels Seifert, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Education: Concordia & MSUM for Early Childhood Education
Career Background: Early childhood education and administrative assistant for both corporate and small business
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: There is such a positive atmosphere here.
What Concordia means to me: Integrity
Favorite college memory: Making life long friends.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Going out to eat – so many choices.
Favorite place in the entire world: Milt’s Barn – my family’s farm.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Things are possible as long as you are willing to work for them – Concordia has the tools – you learn the skills.
e-mail: mseifert@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Bruno Surdo, Admissions Representative
Career Background: This is my first job in the professional world. I also coach baseball in one of the local high schools.
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: I love working at Concordia because the people I work with are amazing and the support here is one-of-a-kind.
What Concordia means to me: Opportunity: Concordia is a place of endless opportunities. Students can have life-changing experiences from the time they step on campus to the moment the walk across the stage at graduation.
Favorite college memory: My favorite college memories are the bonfires we have every Homecoming. It is really the biggest fire I have ever seen, and the atmosphere surrounding the event is one-of-a-kind.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: My favorite thing to do in the Fargo-Moorhead area is to eat. There are so many amazing restaurants to eat at and there is something here for everyone..
Favorite place in the entire world: Considering I have never left the United States, my favorite place in the world would have to be my home town of Chicago!
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Make sure you come and visit campus. Spend a few hours here - take a tour, meet with faculty, eat in our dining center and see what we have to offer. Concordia changed my life… maybe it will change yours too!
e-mail: basurdo@cord.edu
IM chat name:
Brandon Wente, Admissions Representative
Career Background: Former producer for Pioneer Public Television
Why I enjoy working for Concordia: Concordia was a family for me as a student, and that family is there for me again as an employee. You won’t find these people anywhere else.
What Concordia means to me: Exploration - Concordia gave me the chance to explore the world, as well as examine my values through my education.
Favorite college memory: Working on campus over the summer. The late President, Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur told me she would have loved to rearrange the school year to have students on campus during the summer months because it’s so beautiful, but feared there wouldn’t be as much motivation because students would want to be outside all the time and not study.
Favorite thing to do in Fargo-Moorhead: Eat! There are many different restaurants and you can always find something new and great.
Favorite place in the entire world: We stayed in the small town of Vicenza, Italy for part of my May Sem with the college. It’s quaint, and a short train-ride away from Venice.
One piece of advice I would give to every applicant to Concordia: Take time during your visit to explore on your own. That way you get a sense of how YOU will fit in on campus life.
e-mail: blwente@cord.edu
IM chat name: CobberBW
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