Student Spotlight: Hannah Higdon

Hannah Rose Higdon, a senior at Northern State University, is a triple major in communication studies, political science and history.

Having grown up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in Dupree, S.D., Higdon came to Northern for its small class sizes—a feature that very much reminded her of home.

“I come from a town of about 500 people. I graduated with a class of 14,” said Higdon. “Northern has the same feel as a small town where everyone knows everyone. I chose NSU because you feel like a person and not just a number.”

Higdon was a business management major when she first enrolled at Northern, but soon changed her major many times before settling into the majors she has now.

“I chose my current majors of communication studies, history and political science because when I took my general classes, these particular areas of classes are what stuck out to me,” said Higdon. “They were the classes I enjoyed the most, and I wanted to learn more about all of them.”

Hobbies and Extracurriculars

When Higdon isn’t studying, she participates in multiple on-campus activities such as Lambda Pi Eta, history club, speech and debate, NSU TRiO Program, JumpStart and cheerleading for football and basketball. 

“With the NSU Speech and Debate team I have had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky, Idaho, and Nashville to debate at a national level,” said Higdon. “Northern has given me so many opportunities to experience life outside of South Dakota and given me the courage to pursue my passions.”

Higdon is also a mentor for Circle, a Northern program dedicated to helping Native American students, as well as students of other minorities adjust to college life.

“Circle helps minority students adjust to college life by helping them with homework, classes and cultural differences,” said Higdon. “The program helps give students a safe place to go and feel connected to the rich Northern culture on campus.”

In her free time, Higdon also enjoys reading and writing, as well as spending time outdoors whether it be boating, swimming or fishing.

Defying Statistics and Overcoming Obstacles

Despite Higdon’s high involvement and success with on-campus activities, she has had her fair share of hardships throughout her college career.

“Where I come from, it’s hard to get off the reservation. One of the biggest obstacles I have faced was leaving the reservation for college, and staying in college,” said Higdon. “Native American families are extremely close, so leaving my family was very hard. There’s a lot of pressure to be home with family and sometimes it feels like you don’t have any support.”

Higdon worked to overcome this obstacle by getting involved on-campus in multiple extracurriculars. Now, she is vice-president of the speech and debate club, a team where she met many of her closest friends.

“I’ve been in speech and debate for three years now,” said Higdon. “I think connections like this are what helped me stay in college and be successful.”

Higdon is also hearing impaired, a condition she rarely embraced until she came to Northern, where she found the support and extra help she needed.

“Before college, I would never tell anyone I was hearing impaired, and would never ask for any extra help if I needed it. I felt a little embarrassed of having a hearing impediment,” said Higdon. “When I came to Northern I was amazed with the disability services and how willing everyone is to give that extra help that I need. It really changed how I see asking for help, and it changed how I see myself as a person.”

Passionate about her future, Higdon plans to make the most of her last year at Northern before graduating spring 2019.

Learn more about NSU's College of Arts and Science programs here.