By Julie Kendrick and Todd Svanoe

“At four-year universities, teachers are more involved with research and doing things away from the college, so it’s harder to get a hold of them. I’ve found that if you need help, the teachers at WSC are always there to help. I wouldn’t change anything about them.”

– Tricia Kelly, ’09 Alum

Williston State College graduate Tricia Kelly is on track to fulfilling her life dream of becoming a US Senator.

One year ago Tricia was a member of the WSC College Senate, carried a mountainous 29 college credits in a single semester, worked two jobs, and helped lead recruiting and fundraising campaigns at Williston State (See 2009 Story). This month she leaves for Washington, DC to work in an internship for Representative Earl Pomeroy, D- N.D.

A Fargo native, Tricia attended Williston High School, then graduated from WSC in 2009 with an associate of arts and an associate of science degree in accounting.

“I’ve always been very interested in politics,” she said. “I talked to (political science assistant professor) Richard Stenberg and he told me he had some contacts in D.C.” That was the connection she needed.

“The job is going to entail a bit of everything,” Kelly said. “I’ll provide tours to North Dakota constituents who contact Congressman Pomeroy when they come to D.C. and want to take a tour of the capital. I’ll also be doing research on any bills, and I’ll help with constituent requests, both from their hometowns or while they’re in D.C. I’ll work to make those happen.”

Kelly’s internship runs through the end of May, and her plans after that are, uncharacteristically, still up in the air. “Congressman Pomeroy is up for re-election in 2010 so I’ll probably work on his campaign in the fall. Maybe I’ll do some interning for his Fargo office.”

In an article on the WSC Foundation website, www.wscfoundation.com, Kelly said she researched 500 colleges nationwide before deciding to attend Williston State. Though hometown familiarity no doubt factored in, she chose the college for two main reasons, she said.

First: “Williston has very good business and accounting programs for two-year students.” Second: Even before the Stenberg connection, she “felt that each of the teachers here was more focused on my career goals and success.”

The internship runs through May after which Tricia may assist with Pomeroy’s bid for 2010 re-election or intern in his Fargo office, she said.

Someday, Williston residents may attend a rally for the newly elected Senator Tricia Kelly, or caravan to Washington to for the inauguration of President Kelly.

But wherever she goes, Tricia said the way Williston State has helped launch her career has met and exceeded her expectations. “Totally. Multiplied by 400!”