Mason Norberg finds his passion for leadership and technology at DSU

October 22, 2026

MADISON, S.D. - When Mason Norberg first arrived at Dakota State University, he was interested in technology and had a general idea of where he wanted his future to go. He didn't anticipate how much his college experience would transform him into a campus leader, mentor, and advocate for student involvement.

DSU student Mason Norberg.

Today, the computer science major is making his mark across DSU through an impressive collection of leadership roles, including president of the Trojan Activities Board, a leadership role with NanoCon, and senior resident assistant in Richardson Hall. Along the way, he's discovered that some of his most valuable college experiences have come from the connections he's made.

"I think what motivates me just to stay engaged on campus is literally all the friends that I've made along the way," Norberg said. "I've made lifelong friends that honestly, I don't think I would've been able to meet without being part of these organizations."

Finding his place through leadership

Norberg's involvement with the Trojan Activities Board (TAB) has helped him develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills while creating memorable experiences for fellow students.

After serving as TAB's marketing manager, he was selected as president and took on responsibility for one of DSU's largest student organizations.

The organization hosted about 80 events last year, working within a modest budget to provide activities that encourage students to connect and get more involved in campus life.

For Norberg, the challenge is about more than organizing events. It's about making the most of available resources to strengthen the campus community.

That same commitment has carried over to his leadership as con-manager of NanoCon, DSU's student-run convention that brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to celebrate gaming, technology, and popular culture.

Organizing the four-day November event involves coordinating vendors, sponsorships, volunteers, and activities, supported by a dedicated student team.

"Leading NanoCon has been honestly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," Norberg said.

He especially enjoys watching an event evolve from an initial concept into an experience that attracts more than 1,000 attendees.

"I like seeing all those small steps slowly progressing into becoming NanoCon," he said.

Helping others find their home at DSU

Beyond organizing campus activities, Norberg is also committed to helping fellow students navigate their college experience.

As a senior resident assistant in Richardson Hall, a first-year residence hall, he works to create a welcoming environment where students can build friendships, find support, and establish a sense of belonging.

"Building community and supporting students is the main mission behind residence life," Norberg said.

His role lets him see student support from a different perspective, helping new Trojans overcome challenges and discover available opportunities.

That desire to help others extends beyond DSU's campus.

Through his involvement with the Governors Cyber Academy and middle school cybersecurity camps, Norberg has helped introduce younger students to programming, cybersecurity, and other technology concepts.

He particularly appreciates the opportunity to reach students in smaller South Dakota communities where access to specialized technology education may be limited.

"Some of these students don't have access to some of those teaching opportunities, so being able to teach programming, for example, has been honestly an amazing opportunity," he said.

For Norberg, sharing his passion for technology inspires the next generation of students to explore possibilities they might not otherwise have considered.

Turning classroom knowledge into real-world experience

While campus leadership has become a defining part of his DSU experience, Norberg remains equally enthusiastic about his academic interests.

His studies in computer science, software engineering, and mobile application development have given him a foundation for exploring technology both inside and outside the classroom.

He has pursued independent programming projects, including developing a mobile application from concept through its release on Apple's iOS App Store.

That hands-on experience helped prepare him for a summer internship at Innovative Systems in Mitchell, S.D., where he gained valuable insight into professional software development.

The internship showed him the difference between creating personal projects and developing production-level software used by customers.

For Norberg, it was an opportunity to see how the skills he developed through coursework and independent projects translate into real-world applications.

His academic accomplishments have also opened doors to new professional opportunities.

Being selected for the CyberCorps program stands out as one of his proudest achievements at Dakota State, as he was recognized for his hard work. It also provides a pathway to potential cybersecurity careers with the federal government.

"Being selected for CyberCorps was probably one of my biggest accomplishments on campus," he said. "Being selected has meant the world to me because it shows that all the work that I have done up to this point is paying off in some sense."

Growing into the person he wants to become

Looking back at his college journey, Norberg is struck by how much he's changed since high school.

Once somewhat shy and uncertain about his future, he has grown into someone who regularly leads organizations, coordinates major events, mentors fellow students, and represents DSU through his involvement on campus.

He credits those experiences with helping him develop time management, coordination, and communication skills that will serve him throughout his professional career.

Rather than pointing to a single moment, Norberg sees his growth as the result of many smaller experiences and opportunities that gradually built his confidence.

As he looks toward a future in technology and cybersecurity, Norberg recognizes that his DSU education has given him more than technical expertise. It has also given him friendships, leadership experience, and a stronger sense of what he can accomplish.

"I love talking to people. I love being able to communicate with different people on this campus that I otherwise really wouldn't have been able to talk to because I am a leader on this campus," he said.

Tags: DSU Online The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences AI Cyber Academics All News Student Life Stories