Teresa Risovi, ’24, loves to learn. With four degrees to her name, including master’s degrees in K-12 administration and special education strategy from the University of Mary, she is currently pursuing her doctorate in education. She is disciplined, dedicated, and professional — a stellar educational leader for any school district.
In early June 2026, Risovi accepted the role of superintendent of McClusky-Goodrich Public School District #29, where she served as principal for roughly 115 students and 20 teachers.
“I have interviewed in bigger districts, but that’s not for me,” she says. “Here, I know every student when they walk in the door: their first and last names, their siblings, their parents. I can tell if they’re having a good day or if they’re struggling. I wouldn’t be able to do that in a Class-A school.”
Education is her second career; originally, she majored in psychology and worked in emergency management before stepping away to raise her three sons. She fell in love with education while serving as a substitute teacher, earned a degree in elementary education, taught third grade for a year, then passed the Praxis Special Education test to become a licensed special education instructor.
While completing her bachelor’s in education, she received an email about the Rural School Leadership Institute (RSLI) at Mary, a cohort-based, online Master of Education (MEd) program tailored to the needs and challenges of rural schools. A video call connected her with education faculty Dr. Jeff Lind and Dr. Brian Duchscherer, who inspired her to enroll in RSLI’s 2024 cohort.
A year after she completed her master’s degrees, Risovi was hired as principal of McClusky-Goodrich — but in rural districts, principals pitch in.
“We all wear multiple hats,” she says. “Some days I’m a janitor for the first two hours because it’s flu season. We all work together — the family atmosphere is what I truly love.”
One of the most valuable aspects of the university’s online MEd programs is the two-week summer institute on campus, which enables students to connect with peers who share similar goals and challenges. But it was almost a deal-breaker.
“I didn’t want to leave my kids during the summer,” she recalls. “Dr. Brenda Tufte knew I was teetering. … She said that meeting the other cohort members adds so much to the program — and she was 100% right!
By the end of the institute, her classmates became her go-to group for ideas, advice, and solutions to shared problems. The experience inspired Risovi to pursue her doctorate even before she finished RSLI.
“I tell people all the time: Get your master’s, not for more money, but because you want to be a better educator,” says Risovi. “It’s made me a better person and a better teacher — better for the kids, the district, and rural North Dakota.