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As the grants program specialist for the College of Nursing at South ��ֱ���� State University, Marie Schmit works to secure funding for training and research opportunities. In May, she was recognized with the Presidential ��ֱ���� of Excellence, alongside six others at the SDSU Professional Staff Advisory Council annual meeting.  

A member of the college’s staff since 2017, Schmit works to secure funding for various programs in the College of Nursing. 

Schmit, an exercise science graduate, gained her grant-writing skills while working for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, where she supported its diabetes program and wellness center. 

Schmit has grown an appreciation for watching the “full circle” of a grant. From receiving letters of support and applying, to implementing the programs or research they fund, Schmit sees the impact her work has on the college. 

It’s a time consuming and sometime tedious task, but the benefits to the college’s students and faculty make it worthwhile.  

“The training grants are a lot of fun because I've seen the results when students have the opportunity to train in rural facilities,” Schmit said, adding that it also opens students’ eyes to the possibility of working in rural health care.  

She enjoys seeing where research grants lead, both in the research itself and how they can lead to larger projects and more grant opportunities.  

Successfully applying for a grant is something Schmit looks forward to, but there are also grants where the college scores highly but doesn’t receive the award due to limited funds.  

“It makes it even more rewarding when we get the award notice of funding,” she said. “Now the researchers get to implement all that hard work and planning into our project.” 

She is also the coordinator for SDSU’s American Indians into Nursing Program, which is funded through a grant she helped secure. This program supports Native American students through scholarships and academic support in earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner and work in Native health care.  

Schmit is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and says her passion for supporting Native American students comes from her grandmother and mother.  

“That is just really a great feeling knowing that we are helping to place qualified nursing individuals in communities, and every single one of them is so passionate about working in Native health care,” Schmit said.  

Winning the award came as a surprise to Schmit. The award recipients received a plaque and a cash prize. Criteria for the award was developed around SDSU’s core values as a land-grant institution: excellence, diversity, integrity, creativity and being people-centered.  

“I just feel like what I'm doing is a part of my role and I would do this anyway,” she said. “I love the people I work with. I would offer no less whether there was an award or not, but it is rewarding to know my coworkers appreciate my help.”