A Rural Student’s Path to Banking

Rural and Rising: Cheriden Elgersma’s Path to Banking

Rooted in rural values and strengthened by TRIO support and hands-on experience at the University of South Dakota, Cheriden Elgersma turned a part-time college job into a full-time career serving the community that raised her.

Elgersma was raised in Hawarden, Iowa, a farming community of about 2,700 people. As a first-generation college student, her path to higher education didn’t come easy. However, with determination shaped by her rural roots, Elgersma found success in her desired career field upon graduation. 

With original plans to attend Iowa State University, Elgersma had already chosen a roommate and finalized housing plans when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Facing uncertainty, she decided to stay closer to home and enroll in a nearby community college. 

When it came time to complete her bachelor’s degree, USD felt like the right fit due to the university’s proximity to her home and a guarantee to honor the effort she’d put forth at Western Iowa Tech Community College to advance her education. 

“USD made sure my credits transferred and the work that I had already put in mattered,” Elgersma said. “That made a huge difference in my decision to attend.”

Another central source of support for Elgersma was the TRIO Student Support Services program at USD. 

TRIO Student Support Services is designed to ensure all students have the resources they need to succeed in college, with support for low-income students, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Since Elgersma commuted to Vermillion for her coursework, TRIO Student Support Services became a practical and personal resource for studying between classes, attending evening events, creating friendships and receiving academic and career advice from advisors.

“They were always willing to be there for you,” Elgersma said. “Whether I needed help studying or just needed a place to be in between classes, TRIO Student Support Services was that support system for me.”

Through those connections, Elgersma secured a part-time job at a bank in her hometown while completing her degree. The role exposed her to different areas of banking, like the teller line, fraud department and digital banking. After graduating from USD in the spring of 2024, she successfully transitioned into a full-time position as a universal banker.

Elgersma remains a strong advocate for higher education, especially for first-generation students and anyone from a rural background. Her USD journey from rural Iowa to a full-time career in banking shows how access, mentorship and hands-on experience can transform a student’s trajectory without ever requiring them to leave their roots behind.