Career & Technical Student Organizations are a driving force to creating young leaders in the State of South Dakota. Through our great Career & Technical Education programs instructors can implement CTSO's into their curriculum to provide an enhanced learning experience.
Whether you are a new or seasoned CTSO advisor with a large or small organization, South Dakota as a whole appreciates everything you do for students to strengthen future leaders in our state.
CTSO's can truly change students lives and set them on a track to future success. Yes, each students success story is going to look very different however, our states strong CTSO's can be the common denominator in an exceptional future workforce.
Who We Are
Meet Our Team
Katie Paulson
CTSO Center Director
Katie's passion for Career & Technical Student Organizations run deep with her past experience in FBLA, FFA, and FCCLA. She sees the importance of providing young professionals with opportunities and is a strong advocate for such.
Katie resides on a family farm near Garden City, SD with her husband Matt, two sweet children and their dog. She loves spending time with her family and friends, being at the lake, and reading when she gets a chance.
Nikki Mark
SD State Advisor for FBLA and SkillsUSA
In October 2022, Nikki assumed the role of State Advisor for SkillsUSA, DECA and FBLA for the South Dakota Career & Technical Organizations, housed at Lake Area Tech. Previously, Nikki joined the Lake Area Technical College team in October 2014 as a Marketing/Admissions Administrative Assistant and moved to the Admissions Representative position in January 2020. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Personnel Management from Mount Marty College in Watertown. In her free time, Nikki enjoys biking, reading, boating, and spending time outdoors with her family and dogs.
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FBLA Website
Travis Lape
Educators Rising State Director
Travis Lape serves as the state director for Educators Rising South Dakota. In his role he helps schools start chapters and recruit members to join this student organization. He also works with private and public universities in our state to host events on their campuses that allow students to explore the world of teaching and learning through learning expos. The organization is young, but they currently have 35 chapters and over 250 members. Educators Rising South Dakota is excited about the opportunity they have to help grow the next generation of teachers.
Brock Rops
Deputy Director for South Dakota Area Health Education Center and Executive Director for South Dakota HOSA-Future Health Professionals
Mr. Brock Rops is the Deputy Director for South Dakota Area Health Education Center and Executive Director for South Dakota HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Mr. Rops has been involved as a leader in education for 23 years. He has a passion for inspiring and instilling confidence in students as they begin to get more engaged in their pursuits as future health professionals. Mr. Rops believes the South Dakota HOSA program will answer students' questions regarding careers in health care and the pathway involved to getting there.
Outside of his duties as the SD HOSA State Advisor, Mr. Rops enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy, who is an OBGYN nurse, and two kids Finely(10) and Sutton (8). He relaxes by enjoying a round of golf or a game of basketball.
Wyatt DeJong
South Dakota FFA Executive Secretary
Wyatt is the SD FFA Executive Secretary for the South Dakota Career & Technical Student Organizations, housed at Lake Area Tech. He joined the team in July 2022. Wyatt earned his degree in Agricultural Education from South Dakota State University. His experience includes roles as a high school AgriScience teacher in Winner, SD, for four years and as a 7th & 8th grade ELA at Wood River Rural Schools in Wood River, NE. In his free time, Wyatt enjoys raising cattle and going to livestock shows.
Stephanie Gelderman
FCCLA Executive Director for South Dakota
Stephanie Gelderman is the FCCLA Executive Director for South Dakota, bringing a strong background in Family and Consumer Sciences education and leadership to the role. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science Education with a minor in Human Development from South Dakota State University and a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Stephanie’s career includes teaching FCS at the middle and high school levels, advising FCCLA chapters, and serving as an Assistant Professor of Education at DWU. Stephanie lives in Mitchell, South Dakota, with her husband, Jared, and their three daughters, Aubrey, Emily, and Anna. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, photography, cooking, and spending time with her family.