DSU HF Board Highlight: Mary Massad ’86

With a career spanning from farm life to executive leadership, Mary Massad brings a wealth of experience and dedication to both her community and education. She spent 25 years with Southwest Water Authority (SWA), serving as manager and CEO for 15 years. During that time, SWA grew significantly, expanding from 754 to more than 7,400 rural customers, from 10 to 33 communities, and from 10 to 50 employees. She credits that growth to strong collaboration with staff, board members, consultants, and state and federal partners, all working toward the shared mission of delivering quality water to southwest North Dakota.

A proud Dickinson State University alumna, Massad earned her Bachelor of Arts in business administration, graduating summa cum laude with concentrations in administration, accounting, and finance, along with a minor in German. As a first-generation college graduate, she values education deeply and is passionate about giving back to DSU.

“I had a grandmother who could not read or write and never had that opportunity when she came to the United States, although she was very bright. She would mark with an ‘X’ when she needed to sign something. I am the first person in my family with a college degree, and that is something no one can take away. I am proud to have earned my degree from DSU.”

"She now serves as a director on the DSU Heritage Foundation Board and is a member of both the executive and alumni committees. In addition to her work with DSU, she remains active in the community through service on several regional water boards, the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club of Dickinson, Women Empowering Women, and Power of 100 Women."

Fun fact: Massad was part of the first class at DSU to earn a highway transportation specialist license and still holds her CDL today.

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Written by Alician Parks – DSU HF Student Writer