TRHLP Spotlight: Meet the Student Assistant Directors

The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) at Dickinson State University (DSU) is under the supervision of Director Michelle Orton, but at its core, it is a student-driven program of 80 scholars. These scholars are students, athletes, artists, volunteers, and leaders on campus and in their communities. Each year, a select few TRHLP scholars take on the additional role of Student Assistant Director and work closely with Director Orton to ensure the success of every TRHLP scholar. This year, the TRHLP Student Assistant Directors are Natalie Lile, Caleb Sarsland, and Cheyenne Jacobs.

Natalie Lile is completing her last semester at DSU and has held a Student Assistant Director position for four years. She will graduate with a bachelor’s in biology on the pre-medicine track and a minor in Leadership. Lile is also a DSU Student Ambassador, Secretary of the Science Club, and competes year-round for the Blue Hawk Cross Country and Track and Field programs. Off campus, Lile is a phlebotomist at a local hospital. She likes to think of her role in the TRHLP as a “mini boss’ who plans and executes events, facilitates communication, and pushes scholars to be the best version of themselves.

Lile always envisioned herself as a heavily involved student on campus, and her initial excitement about the program has only grown as TRHLP’s activity in the community has grown. “The [TRHLP] students are crushing our expectations!” Lile deeply values the connections she has made at DSU and looks forward to connecting with more TRHLP scholars during her final spring semester through potlucks and movie nights. Before graduation arrives and the search for post-graduate physician assistant schools begins, Lile is excited to travel to New York with the TRHLP to “see Roosevelt's childhood home, visit various museums, and learn about New York history in the time of TR himself,” and to visit her family as often as she can.

Caleb Sarsland is in his third year at DSU as a student and his second year as a Student Assistant Director. Majoring in engineering with a minor in leadership, Sarsland also competes year-round for the Blue Hawk Cross Country and Track and Field programs and coaches endurance athletes. He was inspired to become further involved in the TRHLP after meeting Natalie Lile and Griffin Obrigewitch (’25), a former TRHLP Student Assistant Director. Sarsland is excited to be surrounded by so many “highly motivated and involved” scholars and do the behind-the-scenes work to help them grow as leaders.

Sarsland’s favorite part of the program is the opportunity to expand his connections with students, staff, and the surrounding community. Through TRHLP events and initiatives last fall Sarsland worked with Best Friends Mentoring and Hawks Point. Sarsland is also looking forward to the upcoming TRHLP trip to New York. In his spare time, Sarsland loves to ski and play cards with friends, and he has set a New Year's resolution to learn the guitar. After graduation, Sarsland has his sights set on becoming an engineer and moving back to his hometown of Bowman, ND, to help operate the family cattle ranch.

Cheyenne Jacobs is in her third year at DSU and is in her first year as a Student Assistant Director. A double major in physical education and health education, with minors in leadership and coaching, Jacobs is also a DSU Student Ambassador, a DSU Heritage Foundation work study, a member of Blue Hawk Catholic, a host of DSU Hawk Talk, and competes for the Blue Hawk Women’s Golf program. After encouragement to step outside of her comfort zone by Student Assistant Directors in her first year, Jacobs was inspired to apply for the position herself. For Jacobs, an important responsibility of her role is the relationships with TRHLP scholars, and she is a supporter and motivator.

Jacobs is excited to take part in “creating a future that continues to emphasize mentorship, accountability, and service.” She is looking forward to visiting the East Coast for the first time during the TRHLP New York trip and building relationships with her TRHLP scholars in the coming years as they serve the community and sharpen their leadership skills. With her sights firmly set on graduation in the spring of 2027, Jacobs plans to pursue a master’s in athletic administration at DSU and continue to compete with the golf team and then become a graduate assistant. Her post-graduation goals include teaching and becoming an athletic director.

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Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer

About the TRHLP 

The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program is a student-driven honors program at DSU that focuses on leadership and service within the Dickinson community. TRHLP students earn a leadership minor and participate in service-learning opportunities on campus and in the community.