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Winona Campus NewsletterHigher education in the headlines
Higher education is a field that is constantly changing. With this roundup, we hope to keep you informed about what is going on at universities and colleges around the country.
Elmore named dean of academic affairs
Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Bob Elmore, Ph.D., has been named dean of academic affairs. Elmore started in the role on June 5. As dean of academic affairs, he will oversee curriculum and instruction, registrar, online operations, accreditation and assessment, among other responsibilities.
Elmore has worked in higher education for more than 20 years and has a strong background in teaching, online learning, program development, and curriculum design.
Since 2001, he has run Elmore Consulting, working with colleges and universities to provide strategic consulting to universities on academic technology, instructional design, and online education. He has also served as the dean of graduate and online learning and graduate faculty at the University of Northwestern (Saint Paul), graduate faculty and dissertation mentor and chair at Capella University, and affiliate professor of education at Franciscan University.
“With 20 years of experience, Bob has a proven track record of transformative leadership in higher education,” said Max Bonilla, Ph.D. provost and dean of faculties. “He has shown a deep understanding of the ever-changing landscape of higher education, and we know his expertise will serve Saint Mary’s students well.”
Members of Saint Mary’s community highlight academic expertise
Members of the Saint Mary’s community continue to show their expertise in the academic disciplines they study. This has been on display the last few months as staff and faculty have published research, in panel discussions, and received awards for work in their field.
Wieser publishes research focusing on MBAs and gender pay gap
Michelle Wieser, dean of the School of Business and Technology, recently published research with the Forté Foundation that focuses on the gender pay gap for individuals with MBAs.
The research found that while earning an MBA does lead to a pay increase, a gender pay gap persists later in careers, which matches the nation’s median pay gap.
The research has caught the media’s attention, appearing in Bloomberg and Poets & Quants.
Father Burns, Christensen represent Saint Mary’s at Midwest Association for Information Systems conference
Last month, the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president, and Paul Christensen, assistant dean for the Graduate School of Business and Technology, represented the university at the Midwest Association for Information Systems conference hosted by Metropolitan State University.
Held annually, the conference serves as an opportunity for attendees to discuss new research and technology that are changing the field of information technology.
During the conference, Father Burns spoke on a panel with four other university presidents and chancellors regarding the challenges facing higher education. Christensen also served as a moderator for two panel discussions, which included a discussion with Optum Bank CTO Alex Blyakhman.
Saint Mary’s faculty awarded at Minnesota Psychological Association’s Annual Conference
Two faculty members from Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program were honored during the Minnesota Psychological Association’s Annual Conference in April.
Dr. Signe Nestingen was awarded the MPA Outstanding Graduate Faculty in Psychology Award, which recognizes a faculty member who brings a special quality or commitment to working with graduate students in psychology. Criteria for the award included excellence in instruction; involvement of students in developmental activities; development of programs, advising, and mentoring of graduate students; evidence of being accessible, supportive, responsive, and helpful to graduate students.
Dr. Jerry Shih was awarded the Bravada Garrett-Akinsanya Distinguished Elders Award for Leadership in Minnesota Psychology. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to mental health in Minnesota through their roles as scholars, teachers, mentors, practitioners, and/or advocates for rights and just causes.
Ratajczyk speaks at Minnesota DEED event
At an event hosted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Michael Ratajczyk, associate professor of business and program director for the Masters of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics program, spoke about how Artificial Intelligence will impact the workforce in Minnesota. Ratajczyk provided insights on how AI adoption can be a game-changer for businesses and offered tips for employers to navigate the changing landscape. Drawing on his diverse background as a faculty member, program director, and Ph.D. student specializing in corporate AI adoption, he discussed the potential for generative AI to enhance productivity and drive innovation in the workplace.
Father Burns celebrated at Character Recognition Awards
The Very. Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s University president, was one of eight honorees celebrated for excellence by Synergy & Leadership Exchange and Saint Mary’s at the Character Recognition Awards luncheon on May 16. Father Burns was presented with the 2023 Champion of Character Award. This award was developed by the Synergy & Leadership Exchange to honor individuals for consistently demonstrating positive character as a visible role model. Honorees were recognized in five categories: Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award, Minnesota Promising Practices Award, Catholic Principal Award, Minnesota School of Character and Champion of Character.
Saint Mary’s character initiative, under his leadership, has extended beyond the university itself. Synergy & Leadership Exchange had been looking for a higher education institution partner to collaborate in its character work. In February 2020, Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, director of the Center for Character and Citizenship at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, connected Synergy & Leadership Exchange with Father Burns. This meeting has led to a strong collaboration between Synergy & Leadership Exchange and Saint Mary’s. It is because of Father Burns’s leadership that he was named the 2023 Champion of Character.
The Character Recognition Awards are held each year to spotlight character and ethical leadership development, honor schools and community programs with exemplary efforts, motivate honorees for continued effort and success, and inspire others with examples to replicate. The 2023 event was presented by Synergy & Leadership Exchange, hosted by Saint Mary’s, and sponsored by SPIRE Credit Union and FranklinCovey Education.
Photo caption: Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., with Dr. Matt Hillmann, Northfield Schools superintendent, and Wanda Sommers Wall, Synergy & Leadership Exchange executive director.
Alumni benefactors donate more than $800,000 for artificial turf for Saint Mary’s ballfields
WINONA, Minn. — Thanks to the generosity of two alumni benefactors, Saint Mary’s University’s Max Molock Field, and its Fastpitch Softball Field will have a new look in the fall.
Gary Klein, Saint Mary’s vice president for advancement, and Brian Sisson, athletic director, announced that a significant gift of more than $800,000 — spearheaded by former Saint Mary’s baseball players and teammates Marc Weisenburger B’75 and Bob Cerone B’75 — will be used to replace both the baseball and softball infields with artificial turf.
“We are extremely blessed with the continued generosity and support of our alumni,” Klein said. “This differentiating and transformational impact for our baseball and softball student-athletes will be appreciated for years to come and will continue to elevate our programs and enable us to provide an unmatched student-athlete experience.”
“Our baseball and softball programs are doing great things, and we can’t wait to see our new infields complete later this summer,” Sisson added. “This is such an exciting time for Cardinal athletics, made possible because of benefactors who help our programs become regionally dominant and nationally prominent.”
Weisenburger has been a longtime supporter and benefactor of Cardinal Athletics. He works with baseball coach Nick Winecke to support Cardinal Athletics, and played a significant role in the fundraising for the baseball clubhouse, which was constructed in 2019. “Baseball alumni continue to join together to advance the student-athlete experience and their commitment to being the best they can be,” Weisenburger said. “Alumni recognize how athletic departments need to be competitive in today’s environment, when students have many choices. Wanting to make a difference and creating a differentiator for the university, we identified the immediate benefit of improving the surface playing conditions, while considering the overwhelming desire to protect Saint Mary’s legendary coach Max Molock’s legacy to have the premier facilities in the MIAC. “Max would be heart-broken, having to retire the John Deere tractor that dragged the field, but we have to recognize the commitment to be the best,” he added. “New playing surfaces for our student-athletes, and the ‘Give to the Max’ programs fulfill a continued commitment to remember Max Molock’s legacy.”
The Give to the Max program was also started by Weisenburger. Named in honor of Molock and because Weisenburger and Winecke know players seek to achieve excellence, or “give their max” both on and off the field, the program provides each Cardinal baseball player approximately $500 worth of essential baseball equipment and related athletic gear each year, once again helping to provide Saint Mary’s student-athletes the ultimate athletic experience.
As Weisenburger’s energy has been focused on the turf project, Bob and Cathy Cerone graciously continue to support “Give to the Max” by serving as the program’s major benefactors.
“Cathy and I are delighted to join Marc in creating a quality, first-rate experience for our Cardinal student-athletes,” said Bob Cerone. “Our experience at Saint Mary’s was very rewarding. We hope to encourage others to join us in creating an outstanding athletics program for the future. We recognize the need to maintain our exceptional coaching staff along with providing state-of-the- art facilities for our athletes.”
After this past season, in which countless games were postponed due to poor weather and playfield conditions, the turfed fields will be a welcome addition, according to both baseball coach Nick Winecke and fastpitch softball coach John Tschida.
“If you look at our progression — where the program has gone in the last 15 years — a lot of our growth has to do with the willingness of former players to create a wonderful experience for our baseball and softball student-athletes,” said Winecke. “Our alumni have been true trend-setters for what it means to give back — not just monetarily, but with all the support they have provided to Saint Mary’s and by demonstrating all that being a student-athlete stands for.”
According to Winecke, changing the infield to turf — from the start of the outfield grass all the way to the backstop and extending the lengths of the dugouts — will allow the Cardinals more opportunity to play early in the year, while saving time and manpower.
“The dirt field takes a long time to be game-ready, due to frost, rain, and fluctuating temperatures,” he said. “We couldn’t play many games this past year because of poor infield conditions — this is going to alleviate a lot of that.”
Tschida agrees. “We are very grateful for any gift of any amount, but this is a significant gift that our softball program will benefit from in so many ways,” he said. “Being part of the front porch of our university, everyone who drives in or out of our campus will be able to appreciate a well-groomed, game-lined, and clean-cut field.”
Construction on the new turf project will begin in July and will be ready for play at the start of the 2023-24 academic school year. This generous gift will also be allocated toward Saint Mary’s $100 million goal, set by a recent anonymous $25 million benefactor. The $25 million gift, the largest in Saint Mary’s history, was made to inspire others to step forward to support the university and to position it for a strong and successful future.
Saint Mary’s University announces election of Bishop Robert E. Barron, D.D., S.T.D., to its Board of Trustees
MINNEAPOLIS/WINONA, Minn. – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is announcing the election of The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, D.D, S.T.D., Bishop of Winona-Rochester to its Board of Trustees. The university is governed by its Board of Trustees, which has fiduciary responsibility for the governance of the university.
The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron is bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota) and an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian, and as the founder of Word on Fire Ministries, he is noted as one of the most followed Catholics in social media.
“We are deeply grateful to have the leadership and spiritual guidance of Bishop Barron, as he joins an incredible group of dedicated and talented trustees,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president. “We look forward to collaborating as we continue to move Saint Mary’s forward, with an inspirational and faith-filled vision for the future. Deeply rooted in our identity as a Lasallian Catholic community, we are blessed to have the commitment of today’s ethical leaders to help to build the path for tomorrow’s ethical leaders.”
Pope Francis appointed the Most Rev. Robert E. Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester June 2, 2022. His installation Mass was held July 29, 2022. He was ordained a priest in 1986 in the Archdiocese of Chicago and appointed to the theological faculty of Mundelein Seminary in 1992. He has served as a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican. He received a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in 1982 and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris in 1992.
Flexible program allows Saint Mary’s grad to advance in career field
Having worked as a teacher for years, Samantha Holland knew when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it would have a long-lasting impact on school classrooms. To combat those disruptions, Holland made the decision to apply to Saint Mary’s to pursue her Ed.S. in Educational Administration degree and become an administrator.
“As a teacher, you manage your classroom but the only way to effect change on a big basis is to go to the next level, which is administration,” she said.
Since graduating in 2022, Holland is now considering numerous administrative career options, like assistant principal and curriculum director positions. And she feels prepared to take this next step after her time at Saint Mary’s.
While Holland found the course material to be extremely applicable to her career, what she found most valuable was her internship … even if she found the required amount of hours intimidating at first.
“My internship allowed me to see things that administrators do that teachers usually don’t get to see from the classroom,” she said. “And I couldn’t have done it without my adviser. She helped me with training, called me to talk me off of ledges, and really helped boil it down and make it all manageable for me.”
Holland says the desire to help her find success and the flexibility she found from staff and faculty made all the difference during her time at Saint Mary’s.
“There were a few times during my program when I had personal matters going on and had to reach out to my professors and let them know I was struggling. They all said, ‘Take your time, and get the work done when you can,’ ” she said. “Their emphasis was more on getting the work done well than getting the work done just to have it done. To me, that’s the sign of a truly adult-centered education.”
And Holland appreciates the fact that most of the instructors in her program have spent time in K-12 classrooms, not just the academic world.
“It was great to have professors who were teaching in the classroom recently, not just 100 years ago, which is not the case in a number of programs I’ve been in,” she said. “For example, my adviser was a superintendent in Saint Cloud, so she knew what I was going through and what I was working toward.”
With a diploma now in hand, Holland says she would absolutely suggest the Ed.S. in Educational Administration program to anyone in education looking to effect change in the education system, especially anyone looking to learn in a close-knit community.
“It was so nice to be a part of a small program that felt like – even thought I was – I wasn’t just a student ID number, I’m a person. That was really the most important thing for me,” she said.
Hall recognized on 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll
WINONA – Today, Saint Mary’s and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) announced that Saint Mary’s student Riley Hall has been recognized as part of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll awards college students doing outstanding work to advance nonpartisan democratic engagement at participating campuses. Hall joins a group of 175 students recognized for their voter registration, education and turnout efforts ahead of last year’s historic midterm elections. The 2022 midterm elections saw one of the highest youth turnout rates for a midterm election in the past 40 years — an estimated 23 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 turned out to vote.
“This year’s honorees played a crucial part in registering and empowering student voters ahead of last year’s midterm elections, resulting in historic turnout among young voters. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate hundreds of student leaders encouraging nonpartisan democratic engagement across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These students organized voter registration drives, coordinated campus-wide voter engagement resources and brought polling locations to their campuses. We are excited to watch these students continue to change the world.”
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. With the support of the ALL IN staff, campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages more than 9.8 million students from more than 965 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Campuses can join ALL IN here.
Members of Saint Mary’s community highlight academic expertise
Saint Mary’s staff, faculty, and alumni continue to show they are experts in the academic disciplines they study. This has been on display the last few months as faculty members and alumni have published books, published papers in academic journals, and provided expert advice to those considering higher education.
Faculty member, alumna of Saint Mary’s P&D program recognized by Association of Fundraising Professionals
Audrey Kintz, program director for the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program, was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as one of this year’s Distinguished Fellows.
Megan Strange M’08, assistant vice president of advancement, and Audrey Kintzi, executive director of the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program
The Distinguished Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made significant leadership contributions to the association and the fundraising profession. The designation represents the pinnacle of service to the tenets of giving, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
“I am so deeply humbled to have been named a Distinguished Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals this year,” said Kintzi. “I am honored to be joining my incredible colleagues who were also named Distinguished Fellows this year, as well as those selected previously. For me, this recognition is the culmination of a lifetime of service to the profession and a deep commitment to professional education and building the body of knowledge.”
Peggy Calhoun, M’95, a graduate of Saint Mary’s M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program, was also honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in November with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beginning her career as executive director of a crisis intervention agency serving three states, her extensive experience includes raising $3.7 million in nine months for an art museum, overseeing a $60 million national campaign for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and successfully concluding a capital campaign while increasing the endowment from $2.6 million to $55 million for The Salvation Army.
Kwon publishes first book
David Kwon, assistant professor of theology, has had his first book, Justice after War: Jus Post Bellum in the 21st Century, published by the Catholic University of America Press.
The book focuses on the just war and just peace traditions, specifically looking at jus post bellum, or postwar justice and peace. In the book, Kwon argues three practices are needed to implement jus post bellum, which include just policing, just punishment, and political participation. The book can be used in both undergraduate and post-graduate settings, and can also be enjoyed by a general audience looking to learn more about the ethics of war and peace. The book includes a blurb from our president Father, James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., on the back cover.
Borash, Pauli publish paper on rattlesnake encounters
Ben Borash, B’20 and Dr. Ben Pauli of the Biology Department recently published a paper in the journal Human Wildlife Interactions. The paper, a product of Ben Borash’s senior thesis research, identified the environmental characteristics that make human interactions with rattlesnakes more or less likely in Winona County. In addition, Borash and Dr. Pauli created a predictive map of areas in Winona County that were more prone to interactions with rattlesnakes that would require intervention (such as the relocation of the snake).
Faculty, alumna listed as experts on MSW resource website
A Saint Mary’s alumna was recently listed on mastersinsocialworkonline.org, a resource website for individuals considering a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. On a page listing Minnesota MSW programs, Sophia Thoen was listed as an expert, providing insights about her educational and professional background for those interested in the field of social work.
Mallory Knipe, DSW, program director for the MSW program at Saint Mary’s, was also highlighted as an expert on mastersinsocialworkonline.org. On the website, Knipe provides her insight into online MSW programs, and what students should take into account when considering an advanced degree.
Saint Mary’s students win Lasallian Societal Impact Case Competition
During this year’s Lasallian Societal Impact Case Competition April 18, Lasallian students from across the U.S. examined a major ethical dilemma facing today’s top largest technology companies — and Saint Mary’s team brought home the trophy for first place. The real-world scenario is an annual opportunity to test students’ research and presentation skills, but also to get them thinking about the ethical component applicable to all areas of business.
This year marked the competition’s second year, in which each of the six Lasallian colleges and universities in the United States put forward a small team of three to five students to compete virtually — making a professional presentation to a panel of judges who then have an opportunity to fire back tough questions.
This year’s topic had to do with Apple and the overarching theme of privacy over safety. Apple, out of respect for its consumers who value their privacy, won’t provide the government access to consumer’s data. But should they in instances of terrorist attacks or murders? It’s an ethical dilemma without an easy answer and teams were left to determine which position they would defend.
Saint Mary’s team of Brady Lindauer, Jackson Nauss, and Maya Wachter made a case for the privacy of consumer data and brought home the crystal apple trophy. In the end, Lindauer said, it comes down to who can speak, present, and defend their ideas with valid evidence — and think on their feet when asked the tough questions.
Lindauer, a senior double majoring in finance and business intelligence and data analytics, has participated in the event twice.
“It was a true honor to represent Saint Mary’s in this competition and to win was even cooler,” he said. “The win against the other Lasallian schools is testament to the real-world education we receive at Saint Mary’s. Classes such as Strategic Management helped us learn to think critically and respond to difficult questions which set us apart from other schools.”
Associate Professor Andrew Scott, the team’s adviser, credits the students’ ability earned presentation skills. “Each team submitted a written report, produced a pre-recorded presentation, and participated in two rounds of live Q&A with a panel of judges,” he said. “Our students really excelled in the live sessions with the judges, presumably because we expect them to present so frequently in our classes internally at Saint Mary’s. Our students are trained to prepare, think creatively in real time, and maintain professional business decorum — even under stress. Maya, Jackson, and Brady, knocked it out the park in answering questions related to the intersection of business strategy and Lasallian values.”
Caption: Maya Wachter, Jackson Nauss, and Brady Lindauer
Faculty member, alumna of Saint Mary’s P&D program recognized by Association of Fundraising Professionals
Kintzi named Distinguished Fellow
Audrey Kintz is recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as one of this year’s Distinguished Fellows.
The Distinguished Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made significant leadership contributions to the association and the fundraising profession. The designation represents the pinnacle of service to the tenets of giving, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
Audrey Kintzi, ACFRE has been working in the development field for over 35 years. She is currently serving as the executive director of the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program and previously as vice president of Development and Alumni Relations at Saint Mary’s.
Here she has engaged benefactors in the mission of the university, successfully raising just over $74 million as part of the university’s Discover, Inspire, Lead Campaign, the largest completed campaign in the school’s history.
Previous positions include roles at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Courage Center, the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley, and the American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Kintzi currently serves as a member of the AFP Research Council, the AFP Ethics Committee, and the ACFRE Credentialing Board. She is an AFP Certified Master Trainer and holds a Certificate of Philanthropic Psychology (with Distinction) from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy.
“I am so deeply humbled to have been named a Distinguished Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals this year,” said Kintzi. I am honored to be joining my incredible colleagues who were also named Distinguished Fellows this year, as well as those selected previously. For me, this recognition is the culmination of a lifetime of service to the profession and a deep commitment to professional education and building the body of knowledge.”
Calhoun a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Peggy Calhoun, a 1995 graduate of Saint Mary’sM.A. in Philanthropy and Development program, was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in November with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Calhoun, an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), enjoys over 35 years of advancing philanthropy, marketing and volunteerism.
Beginning her career as Executive Director of a crisis intervention agency serving three states, her extensive experience includes raising $3.7 million in nine months for an art museum, overseeing a $60 million national campaign for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and successfully concluding a capital campaign while increasing the endowment from $2.6 million to $55 million – for The Salvation Army. As a staff professional, she has raised annual, capital and endowment funds for the Boy Scouts of America, YMCA ,and United Way. While with United Way, she was credited with tripling the amount of money raised in four years. With her experience, she has been called upon to serve as interim executive director or chief advancement officer for several institutions including Families of Flight 93, Habitat for Humanity, Chapman Partnership and others.
Calhoun was among the first 35 professionals to receive the lifetime designation of the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE); a distinction earned by only 122 colleagues of the 33,000 members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Regular Cardinal Updates to be paused during summer months
With the summer months approaching, the Marketing and Communication Office is pausing Cardinal Updates. However, although they will no longer be scheduled every other week, we will continue to send special edition Cardinal Updates when there is important news to share. Please continue to follow university news and updates on Saint Mary’s Today.
Adult education program offers convenience and flexibility
Dan Pierce believes earning his undergraduate degree is essential to his personal and professional growth and will help him advance his career and achieve his long-term goals. Pierce, who’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in spring 2023, selected Saint Mary’s Adult Education Program due to the flexibility that allowed him to balance his work and educational commitments.
He had a desire to continue learning and growing in order to achieve his personal and professional goals, and the timing was right to take on the challenge of returning to school. Ultimately, seeing his oldest daughter earn her bachelor’s degree motivated Pierce to earn his degree before his other two daughters. He also wanted to set a good example for his children and show them the importance of higher education.
“What I enjoyed most was the interactions with my instructors. They had real-world experiences to share, and it was cool to hear how they applied what they were teaching in their own careers,” Pierce said. “Plus, they were super patient and supportive, which made the learning process a lot less stressful.”
In addition, he cited several factors that set the Saint Mary’s business administration program apart from other universities and online programs These include personalized attention from experienced faculty and staff; flexibility with a range of scheduling options; relevant curriculum that provides critical knowledge and skills; networking opportunities to connect with other professionals; and Saint Mary’s reputation for academic excellence.
Real-world Experiences
Working at a bio-pharmaceutical contract manufacturer in Fargo, N.D., Pierce manages the safe storage and distribution of biologics within an FDA-regulated environment. He also handles logistics and inventory management, working to ensure his company’s biological materials are delivered safely and on time.
“The business administration program at Saint Mary’s University provided me with a wealth of knowledge and skills that have been incredibly applicable to my career. I love how practical the coursework is,” he said. “It’s not just theories and concepts, we learned how to apply what we were learning to real-world business scenarios. I also developed critical thinking and business-solving skills that have been invaluable in my job.”
According to Pierce, one of the best things about his program was his instructors’ expertise and real-world experiences that brought a wealth of knowledge and insights to the classroom and brought the material to life. He found learning not only from his textbooks but from their experiences incredibly valuable.
Challenging but Doable
The business administration curriculum covers a broad range of topics including accounting, finance, marketing, management and operations, enabling students to understand how businesses function effectively. Pierce believes this understanding is crucial in making informed decisions, effectively communicating with clients and colleagues, and understanding the financial implications of his actions.
Going back to school as a busy adult was challenging but doable for Pierce. It provided a rewarding and enriching experience and helped him achieve his personal and professional goals. He feels strongly that, whether working in an established organization or starting your own business, the skills acquired in the business administration program can help equip students with the skills they need to thrive.
“All in all, if you’re up for a challenge and want to take your career to the next level, I’d definitely recommend the business administration program at Saint Mary’s,” adds Pierce. “If you seek to excel in your career and are prepared to take on new challenges, it’s a worthwhile investment in your future. The program can have a profound impact on your career, as it has done for me.”
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