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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Becky Pribyl has been named the new Director of Financial Aid for Northern State University.

A Northern graduate, Pribyl has worked at NSU for more than 20 years. She started in 1999 as a work-study student in the Financial Aid Office before being hired full time in 2003 as Financial Aid Counselor. Since 2011, she has worked as Assistant Director of Financial Aid.

Pribyl begins in her new position on Dec. 24, replacing longtime Financial Aid Director Sharon Kienow. Kienow is retiring after a 40-year career at Northern that included receiving the Hall of Fame Award from the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

“Sharon Kienow is a legend in the financial aid community and will be a tough act to follow,” Pribyl said. “I’ve been fortunate to have her as my mentor and I’m honored to be selected as her successor.”

Pribyl graduated from Northern in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science In Honoribus in Management. She received her Master of Science in Administrative Studies from the University of South Dakota in 2010.

“With her extensive experience in NSU Financial Aid, Becky will do an outstanding job leading the department,” said NSU VP of Enrollment, Communications and Marketing Justin Fraase. “Sharon will be missed, and I thank her for her decades of tremendous work, but I’m confident that Becky will continue to build on the history of success Sharon has established.”

Originally from Wolsey, S.D., Pribyl has lived in Aberdeen since college. Her parents are Gary and Nina Pribyl, and she said she’s sincerely grateful for her entire family’s encouragement and support.

Pribyl also thanked her co-workers at Northern.

“Colleagues and the NSU community have been incredibly kind and supportive, and I am so thankful for their support and well wishes,” she said.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions