Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) is excited to share in-house promotion news along with new faculty hires on the Bottineau campus for fall.
Josephine Leader, Natural Resource Instructor – Josephine “Jo” Leader transitioned from full-time staff to a full-time faculty member this fall, continuing her passion in DCB’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. She has been teaching as an adjunct faculty member, and now, in her new role, Jo will continue to contribute to more teaching and part-time information technology support. This change is made possible through available grant funding for this year, and DCB is excited to see her expertise benefit students and colleagues in this expanded capacity. With an associate degree in Information Technology and a nearly complete bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, she brings both hands-on and academic expertise to the classroom. Jo is a Part 107 certified Remote Pilot and holds advanced soldering certifications, skills she integrates into her teaching. She partners with Full STEAM Ahead to create engaging STEM opportunities for students and is passionate about helping future remote pilots build the skills they need to succeed.
Joseph Pancoast Inst, Natural Resource Instructor - Joseph Pancoast is a full-time Horticulture & Agriscience Instructor at DCB. He recently earned his Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Utah State University, where his thesis focused on developing state standards and curriculum for an Introduction to Landscape Architecture dual credit course with in-person or online formats for Utah high school students. His thesis culminated in the successful implementation of the dual credit in-person course.
Growing up in Delaware, Joseph began working with his parents in their home gardens and with his neighbors' landscapes. He loves plants and how they enhance and beautify gardens and urban landscapes. Joseph graduated from Longwood Gardens, a two-year professional horticultural program in Pennsylvania, in 2008. Then he worked as a head gardener for high-end residential clients at J.W. Townsend for several years in Virginia. He then decided to continue his studies and found that he could combine his love of plants and love of teaching and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Brigham Young University–Idaho. After earning his bachelor's degree, Joseph and his wife moved to Blanding, Utah, where he taught high school agricultural courses—including biology, plant and animal science, and welding—for seven years. He later relocated his family to Logan, Utah, to pursue a Master of Landscape Architecture degree.
Halle Serhienko, Fine Arts and Communications Instructor – Halle Serhienko, English Instructor at DCB, is originally from North Dakota. Born and raised in Glenburn, she studied at DCB, graduating with an associate degree. She was an active member of Jack’s volleyball team for two seasons and participated in numerous student activities during her time on campus. She then transferred to Minnesota State University, Moorhead, to complete her bachelor’s in English Education. Her teaching career has relocated her from Rothsay, MN, to Kindred, ND, and back to Bottineau, where she taught for 4 years at Bottineau High School. Beyond the classroom, Halle volunteered in the DCB Foundation's signature events, creating a positive impact on student support. She and her husband, Seth, recently welcomed their second daughter into their lives.