About DLN Consulting:
Dr. Keith Fernsler, Ph.D. - Consulting Analyst

Dr. Keith Fernsler received his BA and MA in sociology from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Montana.  Both his MA thesis and Ph.D. dissertation involved original research using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).  Dr. Fernsler has been teaching sociology courses full-time at the college level since 1968, with the exception of 1973-1978 when he completed his Ph.D.  He enjoys mentoring colleagues and students who strive for success, and his classes in research methods have always utilized computer-assisted instruction and data analysis.  He has reviewed several books and publications and has had a number of published studies.

In 1998, Deb Nelson, President of DLN Consulting, Inc. asked Dr. Fernsler if he would be interested in taking on the challenge of research design and data analysis if she put in a bid for the ND statewide safety belt survey.  Dr. Fernsler accepted, DLN Consulting, Inc. was awarded the bid, and Dr. Fernsler has been a contract consultant for DLN ever since.  In that time, he has provided Survey and Research Methodology Services, Data Analysis Services, and Survey Design Services for DLN Consulting, Inc.  He has worked hard to provide the most accurate information to help agencies make the most informed and best decisions about how to improve traffic safety.

High integrity is an important characteristic to Dr. Fernsler, not only for himself, but also for those with whom he works.  He believes it is important for a manager to have a clear vision and to provide adequate resources for his work.  These qualities make Dr. Fernsler a perfect match with the DLN Consulting, Inc. team.

About his work at DLN Consulting, Inc. Dr. Fernsler says, "Very little is routine.  Every year, the contracts bring new challenges that require more study and problem solving in research design and data analysis.  Deb is patient, helps me think clearly, and shares my sense of ethics.  The staff members are exceptionally competent, and what we manage to achieve together at DLN gives me a strong sense of accomplishment in doing good work that makes a difference."

Professional Memberships and Service:

• American Association of Public Opinion Research
• ND Public Employee Association, American Federation of Teachers
• ND Public Employees Association COPE Committee
• American Sociological Association.  Current Section Memberships:
  • Undergraduate Education
  • Micro-computing
  • Deviance and Social Control
  • Labor and Labor Movements
• DSU Faculty Senate, Faculty Rights Committee Chair and Past President, member of General Education Committee, member of Executive Committee, and member of Standing Rights Committee

Community Memberships and Service:

• St. Josephs Health Care Center Institutional Review Board
• Roughrider Country Kiwanis Club
  • Current Board of Directors and Secretary
  • Past Circle-K Faculty Resource Person, Board of Directors Member, President, and Vice President
• Dickinson Urban Forestry Committee Secretary
• Southwest ND Habitat for Humanity Past Board Member and Steering Committee
• Badlanders Barbershop Chorus Past President
• St. Josephs Hospital Biomedical Ethics Committee
• Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center Past President, Secretary, and Board Member
• Member of the First Congregational Church

Awards:

• Faculty Development Award-American Sociological Association Annual Convention
• Chapter Employee of the Year, ND Public Employees Association, American Federation of Teachers
• Faculty Development Award -Great Plains Technology Conference
• Faculty Development Award -Service Learning in Sociology
• Faculty Development Award -American Sociological Association Annual Convention
• Faculty Development Award -American Sociological Association Annual Convention
• Faculty Development Award -American Sociological Association Annual Convention
• Ten-Year Service Award from Dickinson State University
• Faculty Development Award & National Science Foundation Stipend-Political Science Faculty Workshop for Undergraduate Instruction in Data Analysis in Political Science
• National Science Foundation Grant-Quantitative Instruction on American Society
• Burlington Northern Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding Service
• North Dakota Humanities Council Grant
• Bush Foundation Faculty Development Grant-Computer-Assisted Instruction
• Bush Foundation Faculty Development Grant-ASA Teaching Services Workshops on Curriculum Reform
• Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Dissertation Fellowship
• National Institute of Mental Health Criminology Traineeship
• National Defense Education Act Title IV Fellowship