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Winona Campus NewsletterSGPP course delivery plan for fall taking shape
Plans for fall 2020 course delivery in Saint Mary’s Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) are taking shape. The university has decided to offer a majority of its SGPP courses online with some specific programs being offered on-ground. Courses being offered on-ground include those courses in the DBA program and select courses in a few graduate programs. Program directors are continuing to assess the needs of faculty and students and adjust accordingly.
Students should check the FA20 course schedule in the student portal at student.smumn.edu — or check with their program directors — if they have any questions about fall academic delivery.
The decision to continue with online courses was made to avoid potential disruptions to the learning experience in the wake of COVID-19 and to promote safety and well-being of our more than 5,500 non-residential adult learners. Saint Mary’s is actively working to prepare to transfer the handful of in-person courses to online experiences, should additional stay-at-home periods be implemented.
Building on its longstanding tradition of personalized online learning, Saint Mary’s continues to support and enhance the online learning experience by offering a newly developed faculty online instructor certification series. This four-week course will continue to provide faculty with online teaching skills and prepare them to deliver an enhanced student experience informed by best practices in online education. Additionally, a new student course is in development to continue to support students and provide best practices for their success in an online course environment.
All SGPP faculty, regardless of delivery modality, are dedicated to providing quality educational activities and opportunities. Program directors and faculty continue to be available to meet and advise students virtually during this time of remote delivery, and look forward to the continued academic success of our students.
We are committed to helping our adult learners fulfill their academic, career, and life goals and are working to ensure their academic experience exceeds their expectations.
Fall 2020 planning
Dear Cardinal,
I hope you’re having a safe and healthy summer. I’m sure you have many questions as we are heading into fall, and you are beginning to think about returning to campus. I would like to update you on progress being made, so we can begin to answer some of your questions.
I have been working with a group of dedicated student leaders for the past few weeks as part of the Fall Reopening 2020 Committee. Thank you to this group for their dedication to the process.
First, I would like to introduce you to the COVID-19 planning website, Steadfast and Resilient.
Since this website is being regularly updated as decisions are being made, this is the place to go to find answers to many of your questions. We also created an online form for you to use in helping us plan for the fall. If there are questions you believe should be addressed in future communications from me or the university, or that you believe should be included on this website, please fill out the form and let us know.
Student committee members expressed to us that you are looking for more direct guidance. Moving forward, I (and other administrators on the Winona Campus) promise to communicate with you on at least a weekly basis to discuss and share what is happening within various areas. For example, I will be able to update you on the following areas:
- Overall university safety policies
- Food service
- Campus safety
- Classrooms and academics
- Gostomski Fieldhouse (athletic and recreational)
- Residence halls
- Wellness Center (health and counseling)
- Tutoring and Writing Center
- Access Services
- Policies and procedures
- Fine arts
- Clubs and organizations
- Campus Ministry
- Quarantine and isolation procedures
- Other areas of interest highlighted by each of you
Although this fall may look and feel a little different, we are committed to providing you with a wonderful student experience. We appreciate your patience as we navigate these unprecedented times. Together, we will find solutions to make your fall successful. Stay safe and remember, together, we are Saint Mary’s.
Tim Gossen, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Fall reopening 2020 committee
Students and administrators have been meeting together for the last three weeks to discuss possible fall reopening plans for the Winona Campus. Tim Gossen, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs, is chairing the committee along with various administrators and student leaders.
The charge of the committee is to share information on what is being planned for fall 2020, to listen to the student leaders regarding concerns and questions they and their classmates may have, to share changes to the campus that are occurring because of COVID-19, and to encourage committee members to share with their friends what is being discussed during these meetings and to come back to the next meeting with a summary of what they are hearing.
Meetings have been and will continue to be held weekly, for one hour, via Zoom.
“We are very excited to have these students and their classmates return in the fall,” Dr. Gossen said. “We have been busy planning, but a number of things still need to be addressed. Having student voices involved is a key component to the planning.”
Thank you to these dedicated students for their time and dedication to ensure reopening in fall is as smooth as possible:
- Jillian Alekna, Student Activities Committee executive board
- Kendall Archer, Student Senate president
- Clare Bath, tutor
- Jasmine Benavidez, First Generation Initiative
- Gabriel (Gabe) Bickerstaff, resident assistant
- Crystal Chavez, First Generation Initiative
- Caroline Cummings, orientation leader
- Elizabeth Duellman
- Angelyssa Figueroa, First Generation Initiative
- Sarah Fowler, Student Activities Committee president
- Jake French
- Mary Furlong, Student Senate executive board
- Bridgette Hegarty, resident assistant and orientation leader
- Tommy Hill, Student Athletic Advisory Committee executive board
- Raekwon Livingston, First Generation Initiative
- Edgar Medina-Ortiz, First Generation Initiative, tutor, and peer learning assistant
- Tara Nikolich, Student Athletic Advisory Committee vice president
- Nicole Noreen, Student Senate executive board and peer minister
- Enitan Onayiga, First Generation Initiative and orientation leader
- Claire Patterson, Student Athletic Advisory Committee president
- Luke Pauly, tutor
- Marcos Pedroza, Student Senate executive board
- Amanda Pohlman, peer minister
- Noah Reinhardt, peer minister
- Kris Shephard, orientation leader
- Destiny Walker, Student Senate executive board
- Elijah Williams, Student Senate executive board and resident assistant
- Delaney Wolf, tutor
Student accommodation process
The university is continuing to assess the needs of students and adjusting accordingly. Students who are at high risk are invited to fill out this form by Saturday, Aug. 1. Online components will be offered for students who need special accommodations. All courses will be designed and taught in ways that allow students who must be quarantined, or who must shift to fully remote learning, to continue to complete the course.
Adult learners to graduate virtually July 17
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A total of 609 adult learners will graduate from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and its Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs on Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. during a virtual ceremony.
The ceremony can be viewed at smumn.edu/about/virtual-commencement-2020 and will feature five graduates who have been invited to provide reflections as part of the ceremony. Another seven graduating students will be honored with awards.
Graduating students providing reflections are:
- Jasmine Vasquez, M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Lisa Henlin, Ed.D. in Leadership
- Laura Dykstal, B.S. in Business Administration
- Teri Anne Lott, M.A. in English as a Second Language
- Ryan Bajan, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning
Graduating students being honored with Outstanding Final Paper Awards are:
- Thien An Duong, M.S. in Accounting
- Sharilyn Hale, Ed.D. in Leadership
- Shelley Marie Evers, M.A. in Education-Wisconsin
- Ryan Matthew Paul Pomplun, B.S. in Public Health
- Gina Marie DeNucci, M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services
- Noelle Christene Frost, M.A. in English as a Second Language
- Jesse Michael Lowther, B.S. in Business Administration
Gallup poll finds NCAA student-athletes more engaged, likely to thrive post-college
WINONA, Minn. — According to a 2020 study, Gallup found that NCAA student-athletes engaged in important undergraduate experiences at higher rates than their non-athlete peers and are more likely to be thriving in many post-college domains.
Which comes as no surprise to Saint Mary’s University athletic director Brian Sisson.
“Saint Mary’s is a stellar example of what rings true in this study,” Sisson said. “Our student-athletes are well-rounded, very active across so many spectrums of campus, and leaders into their careers and communities after graduation.
“The support our student-athletes get from our coaching staff, support staff, and the faculty and staff across campus is remarkable. Together, they leave a lasting impact and make for a memorable experience on campus for all.”
Gallup interviewed nearly 5,000 former NCAA student-athletes about their college experiences and current well-being, and compared the responses to 69,000 non-student-athlete graduates from the same colleges.
According to the study, NCAA student-athletes (55%) are much more likely than their non-athlete counterparts (31%) to have held a leadership position in a club or organization such as student government, a fraternity or sorority, or an athletic team.
The study also found that NCAA student-athletes (70%) are more likely than their non-athlete peers (65%) to have graduated college in four years or less, and they are half as likely to have taken more than five years to graduate (6% vs. 12%)
The study also noted that graduates who were NCAA student-athletes (39%) are more likely to earn an advanced degree than non-student-athletes (32%). This difference is most pronounced among Black graduates, with 49% of Black student-athletes versus 39% of Black non-athletes attaining an advanced degree.
“From the academic experience, to the numerous leadership lessons learned, to graduation rates and further education, college athletes strive and achieve greatness,” Sisson said. “I would not be here today without my experience as a former student-athlete. It has helped shape me into who I am today.
“Kudos to our exemplary athletic staff, who do so much to mentor our student-athletes — so many of whom were student-athletes themselves,” added Sisson. “Lastly, as mentioned in the study — on giving back to their institutions financially after the fact — I want to thank all of our Cardinal athletic alumni who choose to support our current and future generations of student-athletes here at Saint Mary’s.”
MCA to offer unity-building initiative using rock art
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) invites community members to join in a unique community-building initiative. Each week, MCA will share information about an important artist of color or of an indigenous background and their approach to art. Participants will then use rocks as their canvas to create art inspired by that artist.
To take the experience a little further, after each artist’s bio, MCA will offer a series of questions about identity and art that can be discussed within families (or in a Facebook group, which will be created for this project) to help promote unity and understanding. After each week of learning, creating, and discussing, participants will be asked to place the rock they created out in the community for a lucky passerby to find.
Two optional Zoom sessions will be offered to participants to learn about the project, discover art techniques, and engage in meaningful conversations. This program is offered free of charge, but registration is required to receive weekly email updates and Zoom session links.
These are very divisive times in our country and our world. Though we may be unable to physically gather together at this time, MCA hopes this project will help facilitate important conversations within families and the community while also encouraging exploration of art, artists, and the area around us.
Participants will receive tips and ideas on where to find rocks and what materials to use, but MCA has also created “Just Add Rocks” kits which include supplies to be used by the whole family. Each kit contains acrylic paints, paint brushes, sharpies, Q-tips, Mod Podge, an instruction packet, and more. Kits are $25 and include free delivery or pickup in Winona.
Class details
- Dates: Self-paced program, July 9-Aug. 29; optional Zoom meetings, July 16 at 6 p.m. and one TBD in August; optional participation in program Facebook group.
- Ages: All ages are invited to participate. When registering, families only need to register one family member.
- Materials and technology needed: Rocks and decorating materials. To participate in optional live Zoom sessions, internet and a Wi-Fi enabled device are required. Weekly lesson plans will be shared via email. If this is a barrier, please contact MCA and we’ll provide a hard copy of the plans.
- Cost: Free, but registration is required. Optional “Just Add Rocks” multi-person kits can be purchased for $25. (After registration, an email information about how to purchase a kit will be sent out.)
- Register: Online at mca.smumn.edu.
Don’t live in Winona?
Families in other communities are invited to join. The weekly content, art instruction, and conversation prompts are not specific to Winona. However, some of the conversation and rock-hiding location discussions will be more focused on this area. If you’re interested in bringing this to your community, we would be happy to design a program for you. For more information, contact Jamie Schwaba at jschwaba@smumn.edu.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Saint Mary’s to offer online teaching certification to faculty
Last semester’s switch to emergency remote teaching helped students continue to learn and faculty continue to teach through a very difficult time. But as we transition from a reactive position to absorb what we have learned about the experience, Saint Mary’s wants to make sure faculty have the skills to deliver an enhanced online student experience informed by best practices in online education.
Starting in July, Saint Mary’s will offer an Online Instructor Certification for all its instructors at no cost. This will be a series of three, four-week courses delivered by Angela Velez-Solic, Ph.D., director of the Center for Teaching and Excellence and Innovation for Rush University in Chicago, Ill. An expert in the field of online learning, Dr. Velez-Solic has spent much of the last 13 years supporting and training faculty. She has trained more than 1,000 people to teach online from all over the world and is the author of “Teaching Online Without Losing Your Mind.”
The courses will be mainly discussion-based and will move through three progressive levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced online teaching. Upon completion, faculty will be better equipped with skills in instructional design; more aware of what quality online courses and online teaching look like; and acquainted with the foundations of Catholic, Lasallian virtue education and how it applies to online teaching.
The courses are designed to enable faculty to apply online teaching strategies in any learning management system. However, the courses will be offered in Saint Mary’s new Canvas learning management system to give instructors experience using the platform from a student perspective.
As we continue to enhance our students’ online experience, Saint Mary’s will require faculty to complete, at minimum, the first course by the end of their second semester of teaching online.
Parking permits available for purchase
Parking permits can be purchased through the student portal. The permits open up for purchase by class year, starting with the seniors Aug. 1 then each week following with a new class year. The permits are $60 dollars for students who live on campus and $40 for students who live off campus and commute to class.
Saint Mary’s renovating science center for collaborative learning
Benefactors make campus expansions possible
WINONA, Minn. — Winona Campus students at Saint Mary’s University will be welcomed back to numerous changes, upgrades, and continued renovations — all of which are being made possible solely through philanthropic support.
Adducci Science Center
One of the largest construction projects underway is the renovation of the Adducci Science Center’s Brother Charles and Hoffman halls, which are being transformed into a state-of-the-art space for innovation and collaboration.
Through a $17 million initiative, Saint Mary’s is creating a space for state-of-the-art classrooms, learning spaces, and labs for business and the sciences (including math, psychology, nursing, and computer science.)
A rendering of the new Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls from Highway 14.
Saint Mary’s knows that interdisciplinary efforts are critical now more than ever. In fields ranging from business to healthcare, it takes a team of experts to examine issues, challenges, and opportunity from a variety of perspectives.
“No one person, or one discipline, has all of the knowledge necessary to solve our most challenging problems,” said Todd Reinhart, Sc.D., dean of Sciences and Health Professions. “We know that in solving long standing societal issues, we need experts from various perspectives and disciplines to weigh in and ultimately come up with solutions that should have a higher chance of being successful.”
Highlights of the new facility, expected to be completed by fall 2021, will include a nursing suite, simulation and control rooms, a debrief room, makerspace, trading lab, data analytics lab, computational lab, environmental biology lab, human behavioral lab, sales training suite, teaching and research greenhouse, and covered outdoor classroom extension.
Saint Mary’s has received a $5 million anonymous match to kick off fundraising efforts. Additionally several other alumni and friends, including Merchants Bank and WNB Financial, have supported this initiative. As with its other recent building projects on the Winona Campus, including the Science and Learning Center and Brother William Hall, all major building projects at Saint Mary’s University are funded entirely by the generosity of benefactors. To support this project (and take advantage of the $5 million match), contact Audrey Kintzi, vice president for Advancement and Communication, at 457-1486 or akintzi@smumn.edu.
Additional upgrades
Additional summer upgrades include new front entrance signage and a major plaza remodel, all of which are also possible through the generosity of Saint Mary’s benefactors. The university’s entrance signs are being replaced with two, 45-foot stone walls. Additionally, a significant portion of the concrete in the plaza is being replaced with more inviting grassy areas.
Plans underway to launch undergraduate nursing program on Winona Campus in fall 2021
WINONA, Minn. — As a direct response to market research and an identified need in the workforce, Saint Mary’s University has announced its plan to establish a B.S. in Nursing program in fall 2021 at its Winona Campus.
The university is currently renovating its Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls to house the dedicated nursing suite, which will include a large clinical skills lab, a high fidelity nursing simulation center, faculty offices, and learning hubs (among other collaborative disciplines like business and the sciences — including math, psychology, and computer science).
Seven clinical agency partners from southern Minnesota and the metro area have agreed to partner with Saint Mary’s on student clinical education, and more relationships are forthcoming.
The addition of nursing is just one way Saint Mary’s is expanding into the healthcare sector.
Saint Mary’s has admitted its second cohort for its 3+2 Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program in collaboration with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
Saint Mary’s M.S. in Nurse Anesthesia program and online bachelor’s completion RN to BSN program were touted this year as having top earning potential, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Todd Reinhart, Sc.D., dean of Sciences and Health Professions, said there is a high need, particularly in rural areas, for qualified healthcare workers in a variety of disciplines. “We know that with the changing demographics and aging of the workforce, there’s continued need for nurses and nurse anesthetists,” he said, “And we also know that we’re going to continue to need educated policy and prevention personnel. One of the biggest examples of this we are seeing today is with COVID-19.”
Dr. Reinhart added that today’s healthcare systems want to increase their patient care bandwidth, particularly in rural areas. Many of Saint Mary’s healthcare programs directly address that need.
“We have clinical placements in rural areas to help with relationship building and the job placement, and our graduates are sought after,” he said. “It’s ultimately about helping today’s healthcare system provide affordable quality care. Saint Mary’s is working to help strengthen the workforce and address the economic challenges within that workforce.”
Winona Campus construction continues thanks to generous benefactors
Thanks to the generosity of anonymous benefactors, Saint Mary’s continues to make changes to its Winona Campus entrance area. These gifts have allowed us to construct Brother William Hall, tear down Saint Edward’s Hall, and remove the hill in the plaza.
This summer, the project has continued with the construction of new entrance signage, an enclosure wall around the trash receptacles at the Toner Student Center loading dock, and additional work in the plaza. The reception booth near the entrance will also be upgraded.
The concepts and plans for the new entrance, including the remodeling of the plaza, were designed by DLR Group, a Twin Cities architectural firm that guided the preparation of the university’s master plan and did the architectural work for the Cascade Meadow addition in Rochester and the remodel of the Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls.
The general contractor for the plaza project is McGough, the same company that built the Cascade Meadow addition and is the general contractor for the Adducci Science Center. The walls at the entrance and around the garbage area are being built by Scharmer and Sons, a Winona concrete and masonry contractor.
Major components of the plaza remodel
- Nearly all of the concrete in the plaza is being removed. A portion of it will be replaced, but more inviting green space will be incorporated into the new design.
- The metal pillars and footings are being removed to create a more unified gathering space.
- The lighting will be upgraded, and landscaping work will be completed.
Timeline
Jim Bedtke, vice president for university facilities, estimates that the plaza area will be blocked off throughout July, with new concrete being poured July 13 through Aug. 1, and finish work extending into the first week of August — depending on weather and unforeseen circumstances.
Staff should be able to access the Toner Student Center on the plaza side until work begins on the new foyer next week (around July 6-10). At some point, security personnel and other staff will not be able to access the doors leading to the Hall of Fame from the plaza, probably around July 30. Contact Bedtke if there are any questions about this project.
Dr. Christine Beech featured in CORI report on rural institutions of higher ed
Dr. Christine Beech
Christine Beech, D.M., executive director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and assistant professor of business, was recently featured in a report titled “Higher ed’s key role in rural innovation ecosystems” from the Center on Rural Innovation.
The report highlights ways in which innovation and tech economies impact rural America’s future and how rural institutions of higher education can play a huge role in building the ecosystems that support the work.
Dr. Beech and Saint Mary’s are featured starting on page 27 of the report.
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