CHADRON – Chadron State College students Gretchen Kallemeyn of Denver, and Josiah Heger of Hermosa, South Dakota, took different paths during the summer of 2025, but both returned with a deeper understanding of their academic fields and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Kallemeyn interned with Toyota Denver Region where she worked across different departments, helping with services, marketing, supply and demand, and sales. Heger completed his internship at South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) in Rapid City, where he spent time working on habitat management and conservation projects. 

Both students found common ground in their desire to learn, contribute, and explore potential career directions. 

Kallemeyn was drawn to Toyota’s regional office because she wanted to investigate upper-level management and logistics of vehicle distribution, and had an interest in automobile sales. Her responsibilities included organizing data, reviewing sales reports, and assisting managers with various projects.  

“I wanted to know how they accomplished goals and motivated their teams,” Kallemeyn said. “But mostly, I was curious about the process of moving vehicles from the region to the consumer and what support was given in upper levels.” 

One of her favorite projects was learning about Toyota’s SmartPath digital retail platform and providing feedback on its accessibility and user friendliness to help the team improve its customer interface. The platform brought financing, viewing, and pricing together in one place. Kallemeyn examined how online and in-store car buying worked together to help dealerships to remain competitive.  

Kallemeyn said her experience at Toyota Denver Region solidified her desire to join a team that encourages growth, collaboration, trust, and variety in management. She said she gained a new appreciation for behind-the-scenes roles and the importance of communication in achieving shared goals. 

Meanwhile, Heger, an environmental science major, found his passion for conservation work through hands-on projects like building beaver dams and planting trees at Custer’s Meeker Ranch Wildlife Refuge.

Heger and his team used natural materials such as mud and timber limbs woven between vertical log posts driven into streambeds. They planted willow tree saplings in protective plastic tubes supported by bamboo to protect the saplings from weather and animals.

He felt this project will make a difference in the future of the Black Hills since the SDGFP plans to reintroduce the beaver population in the region. 

“Seeing the impact of what we were doing made me realize I’m more drawn to environmental impact work than geological,” Heger said. 

Heger credited his CSC coursework with preparing him for the environmental project and said that being an intern with the SDGFP helped him refine his career goals. Like Kallemeyn, Heger emphasized the value of staying open to new experiences. 

“Apply for everything,” he said. “Even if it’s not exactly what you think you want. Who knows, you might just find a new passion.” 

Both students said their internships gave them a clearer picture of their professional interests and the confidence to pursue them. Whether in a corporate office or out in the field, they found value in being curious, asking questions, and embracing new experiences.

Martinez is the Strive Student of the Month for November

CHADRON – Spencer Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, is the November Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month.

Martinez arrived at Chadron State College in Fall 2021 and is currently pursuing a special education degree with an endorsement in coaching. He was introduced to special education instruction in high school, when he was asked to assist in a classroom.

“I said, ‘what's the worst thing that could happen?’ And all the kiddos just fell in love with me and from there, it just took off,” he said.

Martinez gained experience in high school as a Special Olympics assistant and a personal mentee for a special education student. He now works in the Chadron Public Schools as a substitute and sub paraprofessional, where he works one-on-one with students.

Martinez enjoys staying active by officiating RMAC soccer matches and hiking C-Hill.

One class that stands out in his education journey is his Health, Physical Education and Recreation course Introduction to Adaptive Physical Education (HPER422) with Dr. Dawn Brammer.

“We would play games with the Chadron students, having fun and letting them be kids,” he said. “I already had a connection with them from subbing, so it was a lot easier for me to help those students.”

Martinez said he was nervous when initially enrolling in college as a first-generation student but found a safe space within Project Strive. He said that it has been beneficial to be surrounded by other first-generation students.

 Jen Schaer, Director of Project Strive, said Spencer contributes to the program.

“Spencer has an upbeat attitude and uses his resources. He is open to learning new things and developing as a person, this will help him be a great teacher,” Schaer said.

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/.