ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø

Filmmaker. Educator. Trailblazer. Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson has worn many hats, but her latest role as inaugural dean of Minnesota State Moorhead's new Honors College may be her most transformative yet.

Fargo native Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson discovered the perfect blend of her passions studying at the University of Minnesota - an individualized studies degree in film studies, film production, and Icelandic language and culture.

"Film allowed me to engage my interests in both art and technology. It's creative but also highly technical," she says.

That leap of curiosity launched an academic and creative journey that included stops working in TV production in New York and two years abroad in Iceland. With two advanced degrees (MFA in film and EdD in education leadership), nearly 20 years of teaching in classrooms, success as a steadfast community leader, and serving as dean of Minnesota State Moorhead's College of Arts & Humanities, Kyja brings the perfect blend of academic credentials and a vision of excellence to her new role as dean of Moorhead's Honors College.

The Honors College, which will open in Fall 2026, is designed for students who seek intellectual challenge, meaningful engagement, and boundless opportunity. More than an academic program, it is a community of scholars driven by curiosity, ambition, and a commitment to excellence.

"Faculty create the environment, and I'm glad we have the right person at the helm," said Jason Trainer, Moorhead's vice president of enrollment management and strategic initiatives.

An award-winning approach

Kyja is a highly decorated educator who has earned numerous teaching, service and filmmaking awards, among them Minnesota's CASE Professor of the Year and YWCA Woman of the Year in Education. Aside from outstanding teaching, Kyja's personal and professional commitment to students who've been under her guidance is her greatest impact.

"I try to be a champion for the vision students have for their projects and then help them make their concept the best it can be," Kyja says. "This hands-on approach also helps me learn alongside students and keep up with the innovations in the industry."

That's what makes Kyja the right choice for this exciting new endeavor as Honors College dean. She's looking forward to working with students from every discipline and every college while shaping a new opportunity that will elevate a student's academic experience.

"The Honors College experience is guided by values I hold close: curiosity, a love of learning, and the rigor of intellectual challenge," Kyja says. "I want to help students push boundaries and forge their own paths to success. This program will graduate the most sought-after students in the region - bold thinkers, elite communicators, and creative innovators."

Under her visionary leadership, the Honors College will offer an enriched curriculum, hands-on learning that extends beyond the classroom, leadership development, and global experiences.

Moorhead's Honors College will have its own dedicated space in the renovated Weld Hall, which opens in Fall 2026. Here, ambitious students will thrive and grow through meaningful connections, which Kyja believes is crucial to collegiate success. "Not having a connection to peers or faculty makes college very difficult," she says.

Even while balancing two deanships, one thing is certain: she's excited to work closely with students again, to be a champion for curiosity and connection, and to advance the Honors College.