Elaine Reed

Elaine Reed

When Elaine Reed first filled out the Common Application for 91制片厂 colleges, she didn鈥檛 expect it to change the course of her life. In fact, she wasn鈥檛 even aware that 91制片厂 existed鈥攗ntil she saw 鈥淗avre鈥� appear on the list.

鈥淚 turned to my mom and said, 鈥楧id you know there鈥檚 a college in Havre?鈥欌�� Elaine laughed. 鈥淎nd she said, 鈥榃ell, yes鈥攜our cousin teaches there.鈥� We鈥檇 just never talked about it.鈥�

That cousin, faculty member Brandon Matson, became one of several reasons Northern quickly climbed to the top of her college choices. The campus was far enough from her home in Columbia Falls to give her independence, but close enough for weekend visits. Financial aid made Northern the most affordable option, and the train line offered an easy route home when needed. 鈥淚t just made sense,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verything fell into place.鈥�

Building a Future in Business

Elaine is now a Business Administration major, double-minoring in Small Business Management and Accounting. She originally dreamed of opening her own restaurant or food truck, but a summer job shifted her plans.

鈥淚 worked for Glacier Bank on their call team and really enjoyed it,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t made me realize I might want something more nine-to-five鈥攕omething that leaves time for a family someday.鈥� The banking world, she said, gives her the chance to use her business skills without the grueling hours of the restaurant industry.

A Leader on Campus

Since arriving at Northern, Elaine has become one of the most involved students on campus.

  • She serves on Chi Alpha Leadership, helping lead worship and hosting a student small group.
  • Last year, she was an RA in Mackenzie Hall, and this year she stepped into the role of Assistant Resident Director for Student Family Housing.
  • She works as a peer tutor, assisting students with writing assignments across all disciplines.
  • Beyond campus, she volunteers with the youth group at Community Alliance Church.

鈥淏eing involved has helped Northern feel like home,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e met so many amazing people.鈥�

Learning Abroad

One of Elaine鈥檚 most memorable experiences came last spring, when she traveled to London with a group of 91制片厂 students. The 10-day trip was packed with culture, history, and constant movement.

鈥淲e hit the ground running and didn鈥檛 stop,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 exactly a relaxing spring break, but it was such a valuable learning experience. Everything there is different鈥攎ore urban, fast-paced, and incredibly diverse.鈥�

Looking Ahead

Life is full and exciting for Elaine. This summer, she and her fianc茅 will get married before returning to Northern to finish their degrees together. He plans to complete his second year in the Electrical Technology program after transferring from Flathead Valley Community College.

After graduation, Elaine hopes to find work in the banking world鈥攐r perhaps return to her entrepreneurial dreams someday. Whatever path she chooses, she carries with her the confidence, community, and practical experience she found at 91制片厂.

鈥淣orthern wasn鈥檛 even on my radar at first,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I can鈥檛 imagine being anywhere else.鈥�

Find out more about the 91制片厂N Business Administration program, and the Small Business Management and Accounting minors!