Faye LaDuke Pelster

Dr. Faye LaDuke-Pelster was born and raised in Dickinson, ND. She attended Dickinson State University for 2 years before transferring to the University of Wyoming on a college rodeo scholarship. Here, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in cultural diversity. After graduation, she taught K-3 in the Todd County School District on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota before moving to Canyon, TX to earn a Master of Arts in Reading, before returning to Todd County to teach and work as a literacy specialist.

In 2005, Dr. LaDuke-Pelster moved to the Black Hills and began working here at BHSU. She began as an instructor for READ 041, a remedial reading course designed for college freshmen. She eventually began teaching elementary methods courses for the School of Education. While here, she began working on her doctorate through the University of South Dakota, graduating in 2010 with an Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading. Shen then applied for a tenure/track position in the School of Education and was chosen to work as an assistant professor of Reading. Dr. LaDuke-Pelster is currently a full Professor and the School of Education Department Chair.

"I love being at BHSU and knew this was where I wanted to stay."