Dionna Martel serves as the Business Coordinator for the School of Design, Architecture, and Art. She provides assistance with budget management, financial reporting, HR/Payroll, and serves as a source of policy and procedural knowledge for the School. Dionna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management/Computer Information Systems from the University of Mary. For over a decade, Dionna has been a member of the NDSU community, working in various roles with financial management and research administration.

In addition to her professional career, Dionna is a ceramic artist. Her passion for the arts has allowed her to explore her creativity by taking a number of Visual Art classes offered by SoDAA. Dionna is inspired by traditional Pueblo pottery, Chinese Celadon ceramics, and different surface design techniques such as burnishing, sgraffito, and majolica.

Who are your role models or inspiring folks?

My grandparents; they lived through so many interesting and trying times. Despite living during the Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam, dealing with discrimination of Hispanic Americans in Denver during the 50’s – 70’s, and other trials, they always showed unconditional love, worked so hard for their family, and taught us to believe that we could do anything we set our mind to do.

Outside of art and design fields, what inspires you?

Traveling outside the United States is so inspiring to me. I love experiencing different cultures, hearing new languages, tasting new foods, seeing architecture, art, and meeting new people. China and Spain have been my favorite places to visit so far!

 What do you wish you had known when you started out as a student/in this field?

In regards to being a ceramic artist, I wished I would have believed in myself more and gotten over imposter syndrome sooner!

What was your most memorable meal?

My most memorable meals were the ones where my Grandma would be making homemade tortillas when I was a little girl. Uncle’s and auntie’s would be sitting around the table drinking coffee, laughing, and visiting. We would sit together eating all Grandma’s tortillas with melting butter and roasted green chiles.

In your office, you can only have three things, one book, one tool, and one picture. What would they be and why?

Book: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez because its such a powerful and touching story about lasting love.

Tool: Laptop because it’s a modern do-it all tool; I can work, research, keep up with current events, and stay in touch with my family far away.

Picture: Picture of my family, not just my husband and daughter but a family picture of my closest living family; my grandma, my dad, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunties, and cousins. I just love my family so much!