A heart for service

Psychology graduate Daniel Pierce ’26 has always desired to serve others. Now, after receiving his degree from Mount Marty earlier this month, he hopes to continue that mission as a U.S. Army officer working in psychological operations.

Pierce began his educational journey at a junior college, where he studied psychology and played football, the sport he loves. He later received a scholarship to another university, but it never quite felt like home. After entering the transfer portal, Coach Dylan Heck reached out and brought Pierce to Mount Marty. There, Pierce found a sense of belonging and the chance to pursue his passion. “You can learn something from everyone you encounter, but something that will stick with me throughout not only my career but my life is the relationship I was able to build with Coach John Michaletti and Coach Dylan Heck. They have treated me like family since I’ve arrived, and that is something I will forever appreciate,” Pierce said.

Pierce chose Mount Marty’s psychology program because it “has a strong emphasis on character and service,” values that fuel his passion and form the foundation of his career. “I want resilience, integrity, discipline, humility and emotional intelligence to define my career. I want to be someone who leads with both strength and understanding,” Pierce said.

Pierce’s respect for the armed forces was inspired by his father, who served over 20 years in the U.S. Navy, and his brother, an Army infantryman. “Serving my country is important to me. There’s something meaningful about being part of something bigger than yourself,” Pierce explained. He credits his father for advising him to pursue his dream by earning a college degree and entering the U.S. Army as an officer, instead of enlisting after high school. In psychological operations, Pierce said his days would “likely involve research, analyzing target audiences, developing communication strategies, working with intelligence teams, and creating messages designed to influence behavior in ethical and strategic ways.”

He gained insight into psychological applications in law enforcement during his senior internship with the Yankton County Sheriff’s Department and is grateful for the experience. Pierce said, “This opportunity felt like a door opening into a career field I’ve been curious about for a long time.” Through this internship, Pierce gained firsthand experience in investigations, the judicial system, and community outreach. He observed various divisions, learned procedures and assisted with projects.

While at the Yankton County Sheriff’s Department, Pierce was tasked with helping design the Citizens’ Academy, which teaches residents about each division’s work. “This program builds transparency and trust between law enforcement and the community. Education reduces misconceptions and strengthens relationships,” he said. Pierce created a PowerPoint presentation on the program and organized the topics to ensure clear communication. He said that everyone at the department impacted him, as they are all experienced in their divisions. “From this experience, I’ll take the understanding that communication, trust and professionalism are everything. Psychology is powerful, and seeing it applied in real-world settings is invaluable,” Pierce said.

After walking across the graduation stage and receiving his diploma, Pierce is ready to take the next step in his career thanks to the preparation he received at Mount Marty. “Mount Marty prepared me through coursework in personality theory, counseling and research methods. Personality theory deepened my understanding of what drives behavior and motivation, which connects directly to both law enforcement and military psychological work. Counseling reinforced my ability to listen actively, communicate efficiently and understand people beyond surface-level behavior. These classes pushed me to think critically and understand human behavior from multiple perspectives,” Pierce said. He is especially grateful for the support of mentors Assistant Professor Jennifer Cliff, Ph.D., and Professor Alan Ferris, Ph.D.

Pierce said he will carry the Benedictine values of community, service, humility and stewardship from Mount Marty into his career, as each has shaped his approach to leadership and responsibility.

His advice to other psychology majors: “Don’t compare your timeline to others, because growth looks different for everyone.”

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.