Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus NewsletterSaint Mary’s announces first semester dean’s list
WINONA, Minn. — The following undergraduate students were named to the first semester, 2019 Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Winona Campus. The list includes 355 undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has about 5,600 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, Rochester, greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Jamaica. At Saint Mary’s residential campus in Winona, the undergraduate curriculum combines traditional liberal arts and sciences with career preparation in a student-centered environment.
Shamat Abraha, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mandukhai Alimaa, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Juan Altamirano Herrera, Appleton, Wis.
Elise Amerongen, Saint Paul, Minn.
Kendall Archer, Draper, Utah
Adrianna Baab, Wabasha, Minn.
Allysa Barlow, Appleton, Wis.
Cassandra Barr, Eau Claire, Wis.
Abigail Bastian, Davenport, Iowa
Clare Bath, West Fargo, N.D.
Michael Bauer, Brainerd, Minn.
Rylan Bearden, Rochester, Minn.
Riley Becher, Rochester, Minn.
Alice Bettag, Maple Park, Ill.
Gabriel Bickerstaff, Rollingstone, Minn.
Felicity Bieker, De Pere, Wis.
Britney Blacker, Castle Rock, Colo.
Ellen Blackmer, Forest Lake, Minn.
Annika Blesener, Saint Paul, Minn.
Debra Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn.
Kathleen Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn.
Preston Bluhm, Farmington, Minn.
Aimee Boggs, Browning, Mont.
Madalyn Bollig, St. Croix Falls, Wis.
Ben Borash, Bowlus, Minn.
Josephine Borchert, Saint Paul, Minn.
Zachary Bracken, Osseo, Minn.
Jack Broaders, Chicago, Ill.
Daniel Buchal, Wilson, Wis.
Nathan Budde, De Pere, Wis.
Erin Budin, Le Center, Minn.
Thomas Budin, Le Center, Minn.
Konrad Bueckers, Pine River, Minn.
Kayla Burck, Algonquin, Ill.
Kristin Burke, Byron, Minn.
Djeneba Camara, Chicago, Ill.
Mackenzie Carey, Prescott, Wis.
Cheyenne Carlsen, Big Lake, Minn.
Molly Cary, Minneapolis, Minn.
Samantha Chaffee, Delavan, Minn.
Grace Chalmers, Albert Lea, Minn.
Augusta Chirbas, Kenosha, Wis.
Erin Ciconte, Melrose Park, Ill.
Elizabeth Ciukaj, Alsip, Ill.
Larkin Clem, Elk River, Minn.
Jacob Clements, Holmen, Wis.
Daniel Collette, Stillwater, Minn.
Kaitlin Conniff, Caledonia, Minn.
Colleen Costello, Delano, Minn.
James Craiger, Des Moines, Iowa
Emily Crandall, Stillwater, Minn.
Carley Cronen, Kandiyohi, Minn.
Jimmy Cumbe Paucar, Minneapolis, Minn.
Sean Curran, Appleton, Wis.
Ian Currie, Franklin, Tenn.
Grace Cushman, Cologne, Minn.
Anna Dale, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Jordan Danielson, Dover, Minn.
Katrina Danzinger, Alma, Wis.
Axel Daood, Saint Charles, Minn.
Elizabeth Davis, Big Lake, Minn.
Natalie Degener, Rochester, Minn.
Oran Dornelly, Micoud,
Isaac Dotzler, Anoka, Minn.
Kayla Dwire, Marshall, Minn.
Samuel Eggebrecht, Rochester, Minn.
Jordan Elwood, Hannon, Ontario
Jake Emeott, Chisago City, Minn.
Lillyann Engstler, Fountain City, Wis.
Jae Faber, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Tabitha Fabin, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Nolan Farnam, Rogers, Minn.
Maxwell Faust, Stillwater, Minn.
Niying Feng, Foshan, China
Kelly Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn.
Alexander Ferrier, La Crescent, Minn.
Angelyssa Figueroa, Tucson, Ariz.
Bridget Finley, Estherville, Iowa
Olivia Fleming, Hugo, Minn.
Claire Fletcher, Saint Paul, Minn.
Zavior Franck, Aitkin, Minn.
Danielle Franke, Saint Paul, Minn.
Bailey Frattalone, Forest Lake, Minn.
McKenna Gaalswyk, Rochester, Minn.
Brady Gagne, West Bend, Wis.
Laura Gagnon, New Richmond, Wis.
Isaac Galle, Ellsworth, Wis.
Nicholas Gawarecki, Stewartville, Minn.
Isabelle Gile, Peterson, Minn.
Grace Gilles, Saint Paul, Minn.
Kevin Gleason, Minneapolis, Minn.
Haley Graham, Maiden Rock, Wis.
Erin Grams, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Peyton Grant, Albertville, Minn.
James Green, Bethel, Minn.
Paige Gudmundson, Plainview, Minn.
Madison Gueningsman, Winsted, Minn.
Cole Gunneson, Rochester, Minn.
Corinna Hafner, Saint Paul, Minn.
Cole Hagen, Shakopee, Minn.
Christina Haile, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jacob Halper, Algonquin, Ill.
Sarah Halverson, New Hope, Minn.
Elizabeth Hammond, Stoughton, Wis.
Sarah Hannan, Bangor, Wis.
Amanda Hansen, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Rachel Hansen, Wykoff, Minn.
Samuel Hanson, Eleva, Wis.
Sarah Hardy, Hastings, Minn.
Taliya Harris, Chicago, Ill.
John Hatton, Naperville, Ill.
Ian Hebeisen, Plymouth, Minn.
Bridgette Hegarty, Chicago, Ill.
Anthony Heier, Winona, Minn.
Megan Hendrickson, Harmony, Minn.
Samantha Henning, Lake City, Minn.
Erin Hettinger, Lake Villa, Ill.
Maggie Heuer, Chaska, Minn.
Rachel Hewitt, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Jared Hippman, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Nathan Hoglund, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Grace Howard, Saint Paul, Minn.
Nathan Huberty, Elkhorn, Wis.
John Nickole Huevos, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Ivy Hunt, St. Paul, Minn.
Vincent Hurley, Maplewood, Minn.
Tyler Hyatt, Waseca, Minn.
Christa Ingabire, City Of Kigali, Rwanda
Brianna Jacobson, Sycamore, Ill.
La ‘Caisha James, Hopkins, Minn.
Trenton Jancze, Woodbury, Minn.
Joshua Johnson, Moorhead, Minn.
Kailee Johnson, Rochester, Minn.
Spencer Johnston, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Daynalyn Jostock, Millville, Minn.
Dara Kaiser, Bozeman, Mont.
Wade Katula, Fountain City, Wis.
John Paul Keane, Dakota Dunes, S.D.
Jordan Keeley, Saint Peter, Minn.
Katelyn Keller, Green Bay, Wis.
Mackenzie Kelly, Brookings, S.D.
Breanna Kenney, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Madeline Keroff, Saint Paul, Minn.
Annabeth Kerr, Damascus, Ore.
Aaron Kibirige, Lino Lakes, Minn.
Claire King, Red Wing, Minn.
Elizabeth King, Green Bay, Wis.
Isaiah King, Mora, Minn.
Julia Kirk, Jackson, Miss.
Katherine Kitchen, Metairie, La.
Sydney, Klausler, Lakeville, Minn.
Jack Knoblauch, Coon Rapids, Minn.
Mackayla Knutson, Ellendale, Minn.
Philip Kostecka, Pequot Lakes, Minn.
Megan Kowalis, Castle Rock, Colo.
Emily Krautkremer, Montgomery, Minn.
Ryan Krewer, Wheeling, Ill.
Kamila Kuchta, Woodbury, Minn.
Ethan Lacey, Henry, Ill.
Rachel Lang, Saint James, Minn.
Allyson Lenz, Owatonna, Minn.
Ashley LeRoux, Stacy, Minn.
Alexander Leschisin, Eden, S.D.
Joshua Lester, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Jacob Lewis, Rochester, Minn.
Ahnika Lexvold, South Haven, Minn.
Solomon Liebl, Fertile, Minn.
Terra Lieser, Andover, Minn.
Isabelle Lindahl, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Brady Lindauer, Cary, Ill.
Isaiah Lippert, Easton, Minn.
Colleen Lois, Green Bay, Wis.
Danielle LoMastro, Wauconda, Ill.
Maddelyn Long, Andover, Minn.
Graham Lorsung, Clear Lake, Minn.
Jonathan Lutz, Fairmont, Minn.
Qi Kai Ma, Baotou, Mongolia
Jordan Malikowski, Royalton, Minn.
Anna Marinc, Carol Stream, Ill.
Michael Marlin, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Andreq Martin, Shell Lake, Wis.
Jacob Mayer, Mokena, Ill.
Elizabeth McAtee, Woodbury, Minn.
Abbie McCarthy, Portland, Ore.
Brennen McClay, Shakopee, Minn.
Madysen McCormick, Black River Falls, Wis.
James McDermott, Dubuque, Iowa
Reid McKeown, Saint Paul, Minn.
Elliot McLarty, Sioux City, Iowa
Jonathan Meaden, Rosemount, Minn.
Edgar Medina-Ortiz, Bloomington, Minn.
Kristjan Meitz, Waukesha, Wis.
Rachael Menke, Winona, Minn.
Brandon Merfeld, La Crosse, Wis.
Arielle Miagkov, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Trevor Miklya, Eagan, Minn.
Jordan Modjeski, South Lyon, Mich.
Mackenzie Moller, Cave Creek, Ariz.
Mary Moritz, Saint Michael, Minn.
Victoria Mota, Melrose Park, Ill.
Johanna Mott, LaCrosse, Wis.
Anna Muccio, Saint Paul, Minn.
Andrew Mullaney, Volga, S.D.
Natalie Munich, Hayward, Wis.
Anna Muntifering, Saint Paul, Minn.
Lindsey Nelson, La Crescent, Minn.
Mark Nosbush, Paynesville, Minn.
Katherine Novak, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mara Novakovic, Mokena, Ill.
Shunta Nozawa, Fuchu, Tokyo
Barbara Marcelina Ogiba, Poznan, Poland
Isaiah Olsem, Dundee, Minn.
Luke Olson, Moline, Ill.
Westen Olson, Cambridge, Minn.
Isabelle Ostrem, Cochrane, Wis.
Delgermaa Otgontugs, Plymouth, Minn.
Emma Paquette, Faribault, Minn.
Trevor Paradise, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Joseph Parenteau, Minneapolis, Minn.
Claire Patterson, Marine on St. Croix, Minn.
Brooklyn Paulson, Holmen, Wis.
Gabriella Pederson, Chaska, Minn.
Joshua Perry, La Crosse, Wis.
Colby Peterson, Menomonie, Wis.
Sarah Phipps, Hurst, Texas
Catherine Pierpont, Holt, Mich.
Corey Piper, Winona, Minn.
Alexis Pogatchnik, Rice, Minn.
Amanda Pohlman, Omaha, Neb.
Jeffrey Pokuta, Johnsburg, Ill.
Dalton Prenot, Winona, Minn.
Caitlin Preusser, Henderson, Minn.
Morgan Prokosch, Belle Plaine, Minn.
Luke Puffer, Duluth, Minn.
Joseph Pyka, Independence, Wis.
Hannah Queen, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Haylee Queen, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Denise Quizhpi, Minneapolis, Minn.
Brianna Raabolle, Andover, Minn.
Griffin Rades, Shawano, Wis.
Karson Rades, Shawano, Wis.
Olivia Rawlyk, Duluth, Minn.
John Regnier, Prescott, Wis.
Noah Reinhardt, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Michele Remer, Grand Forks, N.D.
Brandi Remold, West Concord, Minn.
Luis Reyes, Madison, Wis.
Danielle Rhodes, Pewaukee, Wis.
Akela Rimstad, Richfield, Minn.
Liddi Rinden, Rochester, Minn.
Emma Ririe, Darien, Ill.
Noah Roe, Superior, Wis.
Lauren Rogers, Barrington, Ill.
Kaitlyn Rollinger, Minnesota City, Minn.
Robert Roslund, Vanersborg, Sweden
Sawyer Rosner, Phelps, Wis.
Jonathan Rothering, Kronenwetter, Wis.
Natalie Ruegsegger, Billings, Mont.
Ryan Ruhle, Madison, Wis.
Paul Rupert, Peoria, Ill.
Celeste Russell, Las Vegas, Nev.
Gabriel Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn.
Ana Paula Saldana Cisneros, Fracc. Villas Del Meson, Mexico
Crystal Salgado, Richfield, Minn.
Trae Sander, Boscobel, Wis.
Andrew Sandoz, Menasha, Wis.
Emily Schaffer, Hampton, Minn.
Joseph Schauf, Deforest, Wis.
Hallie Schmeling, Onalaska, Wis.
Mandy Schmidt, Mitchell, S.D.
Benjamin Schmitt, Somerset, Wis.
Benjamin Schoonmaker, Moline, Ill.
Justine Schultz, Minnesota City, Minn.
Marcella Schumacher, Edina, Minn.
Brendan Scott, Rochester, Minn.
Ashlyn Seifert, Austin, Texas
Catherine Seifert, Stillwater, Minn.
Cassandra Sepp, Duluth, Minn.
William Sepsis, Elmhurst, Ill.
Benjamin Serb, Wales, Wis.
Emily Seykora, Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Deborah Shefa, Saint Paul, Minn.
Kristopher Shepard, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Alexandria Shibilski, Plover, Wis.
Tangang Ashley Shikei, Lillington, N.C.
Gabrielle Shupe, Preston, Minn.
Savannah Slafter, Spring Grove, Minn.
Robert Sobczak, Cloquet, Minn.
Angela Spors, Rochester, Minn.
Emilie Steingraeber, La Crosse, Wis.
Lillian Sterling, Minneapolis, Minn.
Heidi Stewart, Burnsville, Minn.
Signey Stoesz, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Ryan Stoynich, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Montana Streit, Oronoco, Minn.
Ashley Streveler, Colby, Wis.
Emily Strezishar, East Grand Forks, Minn.
Francis Strong, Fairbury, Ill.
Jac, Strotbeck, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Coleton Strupp, Holmen, Wis.
Avery Sutton, Minneapolis, Minn.
Jonathan Swoik, Pekin, Ill.
Elijah Szymanski, La Crosse, Wis.
Makenzie Tafralian, Las Vegas, Nev.
Alyssa Thiel, Berlin, Wis.
Jack Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn.
Nicole Thompson, Riverside, Calif.
April Thornberg, Shakopee, Minn.
Anthony Thorsell, Fountain City, Wis.
Joseph Tobias, Cross Plains, Wis.
Emma Toellner, Bonduel, Wis.
Maciej Tomczak, Luban, Minn.
Abrianna Utgaard, Star Prairie, Wis.
Lillian Vagasky, Red Wing, Minn.
Clarissa Van Dale, New Brighton, Minn.
Cole Van Houten, Pine Island, Minn.
Celeste Van Klein, Lake City, Minn.
Alexis Van Ornum, Lindstrom, Minn.
Collin van Waardenburg, San Pierre, Ind.
Jose Velarde, Tucson, Ariz.
Maxwell Vetch, Aberdeen, S.D.
Akyra Virgous, Romeoville, Ill.
Morgan Von Feldt, Chisago City, Minn.
Caitlin Wallerus, Osseo, Minn.
Linnaea Wallis, Dresser, Wis.
Emily Wallrich, Saint Paul, Minn.
Hailey Warmka, Bricelyn, Minn.
Simon Warmkagathje, Saint Charles, Minn.
Mackenzie Waters, Olathe, Kan.
Madison Weis, South Haven, Minn.
Jackson Wells, Glenview, Ill.
Joseph White, Fountain City, Wis.
Olivia White, Montevideo, Minn.
Ethan Wilcox, Quinnesec, Mich.
Trevor Wilhelm, St. Louis, Mo.
Abigail Williams, Westchester, Ill.
Elijah Williams, Beloit, Wis.
Haley Williams, Littleton, Colo.
Briana Williquett, Roberts, Wis.
Gina Wilson, Anoka, Minn.
Grace Wilson, Portage, Wis.
Michelle Wing, Verona, Wis.
Lawrence Wirries, Moorhead, Minn.
Jacob Wittman, Marshfield, Wis.
Kathryn Wohlberg, Saint Paul, Minn.
Delaney Wolf, Bismarck, N.D.
Caroline Woodle, Knoxville, Iowa
Teresa Wroblewski, Mayer, Minn.
Zhenyu Xing, Saint Paul, Minn.
Gaojoshia Yang-Nicks, La Crosse, Wis.
Daniela Zavala, Loudon, Tenn.
Sophia Zebro, Anoka, Minn.
Jidong Zhang, Xinyi City, China
Tianbo Zhang, Beijing, China
Sarah Zimmermann, Munich, Germany
Quinncy Zupko, Wyoming, Minn.
MCA displays paintings by Minnesota artist Heidi Bacon throughout January
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is featuring “The Beauty Around Us,” an exhibit by artist Heidi Bacon, throughout January at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. Howard St. Community members are invited to the show’s opening reception with the artist on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy paintings of the Mississippi River, the falls in Mantorville, Minn., a swan family, a coyote pouncing in the snow, and a scene from Frontenac State Park.
Guests can visit at no cost during regular business hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
About the artist
Heidi Bacon has been a freelance artist from an early age. She is self-taught and works with oils, acrylics, watercolor, pen and ink, and clay to create portraits, landscapes, murals, furniture, fiber arts, jewelry, and illustrations. She was featured in the 2014 edition of the Artist’s Catalog and has illustrated for Country Living Magazine. Recent illustrations can also be found in the children’s books My Grandma Makes Lefse and How to Make Grandma Skarstad’s Lefse. Bacon’s work is also on display at the Red Wing Art Association at the train station and at Hobgoblin Music. Recently, Bacon founded The Artist Sanctuary in Red Wing, a nonprofit to help artists. For more information, visit heidibacon.com or email heidibacon1@gmail.com.
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 age 3 and older 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.
Photo caption: Family of swans painting by Heidi Bacon
There’s no Tour de France for women; it’s time to address the inequity in professional cycling
Since the Passing of Title IX, there have been many improvements in accessibility for girls and women in sports. This trend has not been as strong for some sports, like competitive cycling.
“We know that when we look at numbers for licensed riders in the U.S., 15% are women, and that means 85% of competitive cyclists are men,” said Erin Ayala, Ph.D. “Because races are generally run by private organizations, they don’t fall under the Title IX umbrella. It looks very different. They can say that because only 15% of women are in the field, they think they don’t need to add more races so women can participate. This then creates concerns regarding skill development and safety while racing.”
As a cyclist who races nationally, Dr. Ayala can attest that women cyclists are treated very differently than men.
“I did a large national investigation on the experiences to find out what the factors are that affect participation for women in competitive cycling. A lot of women spoke of importance of creating an encouraging and supportive atmosphere. They’d say, ‘If I have people on sidelines cheering me on, that means the world to me.’
“Another piece was that race promoters and directors sometimes combine women with master’s men, 50-60-year-old men, to help with field sizes, but that can create a toxic environment because women are racing with older men who may not want them to be there. Women are also paired with younger junior cyclists, which can feel condescending and patronizing because it results in shorter or easier races.
“In a lot of races, women race shorter distances or durations than the men, which can feel insulting. There’s no Tour de France for Women. It’s a tough atmosphere. Then there are the podium girls, women in high heels and makeup whose job it is to stand next to the male racers to give them their prizes and a kiss on the cheek. The underlying assumption is those women are there to accessorize the male racers. It speaks to the gender dynamics in those sports.
“Things that decrease participation are unsupportive environments where women feel they do not belong, inequitable fields, and unequal prize pools; sometimes men are paid more money to win the same race as women. We have good hard data to talk about it. We need to do better, and one of biggest themes that came out of it was ‘Build it and we will come. Invest in us, and we will start to show up more often.’ We are hoping to create some change in communities and nationally to make more room for women in a sport that does not have many women.
Are you a journalist covering this topic and looking to book an interview? That’s where we can help.
Dr. Erin Ayala is a licensed psychologist and core faculty member in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. To book an interview with Dr. Ayala, simply click on her icon to arrange a time.
Read more on Dr. Ayala’s research.
Connect with:
Erin Ayala, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Doctor of Psychology Program
Expertise: Women’s health and sports psychology
View profile
Self-care a necessity for graduate students; what are programs doing to help?
Life doesn’t stop when you’re in a doctoral program.
Erin Ayala, Ph.D., has done extensive research into self-care, stress, and quality of life of students, particularly those in human service doctoral programs (like medical students and those in nurse anesthesiology, psychology, and counseling).
She knows the recipe for stress and burnout:
- These stressful programs tend to attract high achievers. It’s already in their nature to balance several commitments and responsibilities.
- These programs and professions have a high level of responsibility.
- Students in these programs are frequently at an age where they are also going through significant developmental milestones (marriage, children, purchasing homes).
“When you bring all of that together, it can be really difficult to prioritize time for self-care,” she said. “Prevention and health promotion are really important, and it’s not just about mental health. It’s not just about being reactive and addressing distress or burnout when it hits. The question is what can we do on the front end to help prevent negative consequences down the road.”
What is self-care?
Often, Dr. Ayala said, media romanticizes and glamorizes self-care with advertisements for fizzy bath bombs and manicures.
“What we have found is that it is completely personalized,” Dr. Ayala said. “For women, social support is really important. Ultimately, there needs to be time to disconnect, whether it’s doing nothing, or just taking a break from your dissertation. You’ve got to give yourself permission to do that.
“Nutrition, exercise, hydration, spiritual life, different people have a different recipe for what their self-care looks like. It ebbs and flows just like any exercise or meditation or spiritual practice. Some weeks we’re doing great and other times we’re not, and that’s part of the process.”
Dr. Ayala’s most recent research involves analyzing qualitative data, coming from over 200 students throughout the U.S. in clinical counseling and school psychology, all high achievers in the middle of doctoral programs.
She’s investigating what faculty are doing to model or not model the importance of physical and psychological wellness.
“Students might know that self-care is important, but it can be hard to act on it if they’re in an environment that doesn’t support it,” she said. “The biggest supportive theme that came up was faculty simply encouraging them to do it, asking their students, ‘What did you do this weekend for self-care?’ They take the time to check in with their students and give them permission to take time for themselves. That takes zero effort.”
“What can we do to make sure faculty are also able to model self-care for their students? The behaviors students are picking up now pave the foundation for the rest of their career. If faculty are working themselves to the bone, it sets an expectation for their students that they are supposed to do the same. If faculty model self-care and talk about its importance, students may be more likely to do it themselves.”
Dr. Ayala said when her team asked students what programs can do to support self-care, answers ranged from formal programming and talking about it in the classroom, to referrals for therapists, discounts for gym memberships, or places to meditate on campus — ways to make self-care easier to access.
When students are asked what the biggest barrier to self-care is, the answer wasn’t surprising. The majority of students responded that time was an issue. “That’s a tough one because there’s only so much programs can do to minimize the amount of work required,” Dr. Ayala said. “Students have to balance all these professional responsibilities and don’t know what to give up.”
Are you looking to know more about self-care and other similar topics when it comes to high education? Or, are you a journalist covering this topic and looking to book an interview? That’s where we can help.
Dr. Erin Ayala is a licensed psychologist and core faculty member in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. To book an interview with Dr. Ayala, simply click on her icon to arrange a time.
Connect with:
Erin Ayala, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Doctor of Psychology Program
Expertise: Women’s health and sports psychology
View profile
Attend the Doctoral Research Symposium
Each year, Saint Mary’s University hosts the Doctoral Research Symposium bringing together all three doctoral programs to showcase research, facilitate career development, and provide a complete view of doctoral education from start to finish.
This year’s Doctoral Research Symposium will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020. The all-day event features valuable opportunities for faculty, staff, alumni, and students in all stages of their education.
The symposium is shaped by the doctoral community offering various opportunities to present research. Students and alumni are highly encouraged to present their work. Doctoral students, depending on their progression within their program, can present posters of research proposals. Alumni (or students who have completed their proposal, or have an approved research project in process) can host a 45-minute breakout session.
The symposium is a low-pressure, high interaction environment where individuals can present their work to a supportive community of peers. It’s also an ideal opportunity to practice presenting for those who wish to gain more experience, and to provide and receive feedback.
In addition to research presentations, this year’s symposium will feature a keynote address and a panel discussing academic jobs post-doctorate. Dr. Karen Shields Wright – Ignatian spiritual director, wellness expert, patient advocate, chaplain, doctor of chiropractic medicine, and health consultant – will deliver the keynote address. Drs. Schultz and Nowakowski will be among those presenting on the panel.
The day will conclude with dissertation defenses from the Ed.D. and Psy.D. programs. The defenses are open to all and a way for current and prospective students to see the culminating project of their educational experience in action.
Please consider attending this event to learn about doctoral programs, gain new knowledge, engage or reconnect with members of the Saint Mary’s community, and perhaps present original work.
If you’d like to actively participate, please consider volunteering. We’re particularly looking for volunteers to help with set-up the day before the event on March 6. Please contact Kayla Collins (mcollins@smumn.edu) if interested.
We hope you’ll join us for this robust day of research, learning, sharing, and community.
By: McKayla Collins, program coordinator
MCA to hold dance auditions
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) will hold open auditions for Dance Repertory Company’s 47th annual spring dance concert, “Change in Color.” Auditions for this pre-professional dance company are free and open to all intermediate and advanced dancers ages 13 and up and will be held at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. Howard St., on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m.
This year’s concert will include “With Flying Colors,” a contemporary ballet piece set to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Other hip-hop, contemporary, and modern pieces will be performed utilizing the work of MCA faculty members Tammy Schmidt, Jessica Dienger, and Raina Racki.
Rehearsal dates will be determined by the schedules of the dancers who are selected. Performances will take place Friday through Sunday, April 17-19, in Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre. For more information about the Dance Repertory Company, visit mca.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.
Rev. Fichter to discuss research on Catholic bishops Jan. 15-16
WINONA/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Rev. Stephen Joseph Fichter, Ph.D., research associate for the Center for Applied Research at Apostolate, Georgetown University, will present “Church Leadership in the Third Millennium: Recent Research on Catholic Bishops in the U.S.” for the next Cardinal Virtues presentation at Saint Mary’s University.
The Rev. Fichter co-authored the book, Same Call, Different Men: The Evolution of the Priesthood since Vatican II, published by Liturgical Press in 2012. His newest book, Catholic Bishops in the United States: Church Leadership in the Third Millennium, was published by Oxford University Press in 2019. Based on his research, the Rev. Fichter will provide an overview of how the bishops are leading the Church in the United States in the era of Pope Francis.
The public is invited to his two presentations:
- Wednesday, Jan. 15, 4 p.m., Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis
- Thursday, Jan. 16, noon, Saint Mary’s Science and Learning Center, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona
A reception will follow both presentations.
The Rev. Fichter also serves as an adjunct professor of systematic theology at Seton Hall University. He obtained a Ph.L. and an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, an M.S.W. from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Rutgers University.
In coordination with the National Organization for Continuing Education for Roman Catholic Clergy, he has worked on many Cultivating Unity projects for dioceses throughout the U.S.
In addition, he was the parochial vicar at St. Gabriel the Archangel in Saddle River, N.J., from 2000 to 2008. He then became the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Haworth, N.J., until he assumed the role of pastor at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Wyckoff, N.J., in July 2017.
Cardinal Virtues speakers and topics are chosen to create thought-provoking dialogue. Saint Mary’s University cultivates in its learners virtues to guide them throughout their educational journeys and beyond.
RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 8, at smumn.edu/cvrsvp. For more information, call 507-457-1597.
Graduate psychology student co-founds crisis hotline geared toward local Muslim community
Mental health issues affect everyone. To address the issues of mental health in the Muslim community in Minnesota, Fadumo Hassan, a master’s student in the M.A. in Counseling and Psychology Service program at Saint Mary’s, started a crisis hotline this fall with her sister, Sumaya.
Recently, the two sisters spoke with Minnesota Public Radio about their new enterprise, Open Minds Initiative, and the importance of breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health in the Muslim community.
Read the full story here.
MCA offers day of free classes
WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is hosting “FREE-4-ALL,” a day of free classes for the whole family on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. Howard St.
This event will feature classes for both youth and adults to try at no cost:
- My Grown-up and Me (ages 18 months to 3 years, with an adult)
10 to 10:30 a.m.
Instructor: J. Dienger - Irish (ages 5 and up)
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Instructor: A. Pelowski - Creative Movement (ages 3 to 5)
11 to 11:30 a.m.
Instructor: J. Dienger - Ballet (ages 7 to 13)
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Instructor: R. Ryan-Dahlgren - Pre-Ballet (ages 4 to 6)
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Instructor: R. Ryan-Dahlgren - Peanut Butter & Jelly Players (ages 4 to 6)
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Instructor: C. Deysach - Intro to Contemporary Dance (ages 7 to 13)
1 to 1:45 p.m.
Instructor: J. Dienger - Barre (ages 14 and up)
1 to 1:45 p.m.
Instructor: Jackie Goyette
Register online at mca.smumn.edu, by phone at 507-453-5500, or in person at the Valéncia Arts Center. Participants should wear clothing that is easy to move in; no dance shoes or special attire is required. All classes may be taken barefoot or in socks.
This is also an opportunity to tour classroom and performance spaces, learn about MCA education programs, meet faculty, and get fitted for dance shoes and tights. Participants who register for any winter session dance or theatre class on Jan. 4 will receive $10 off.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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 theater. 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.
Season’s greetings
Final exams are over, papers have been handed in, our students have returned home for rest and rejuvenation, and many of us will spend the joyous Christmas season with family and loved ones. In a season of giving and receiving, I offer you, as a gift, some of the wonderful moments and memories created by our students who have achieved so much. I hope from these stories you sense the positive impact they make on our campus life and in the larger community. I also want to share some of the exciting events that have happened at the university. Here are just a few snapshots from the semester.
— Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D. (Winter 2019)
Celebrating a 300-year Lasallian heritage
Saint Mary’s University joined Lasallians across the globe in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the death of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of educators and founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The Holy See declared 2019 a jubilee year in honor of De La Salle and his life’s work of making a quality and relevant education accessible to all students, especially the poor. The jubilee celebrates the impact of the mission De La Salle started, which is present in 80 countries around the world, with between 3,500 and 4,000 De La Salle Christian Brothers and 90,000 Lasallian Partners serving 1 million young people in 1,000 educational ministries. Saint Mary’s University — as one of 65 Lasallian higher education institutions — is one small portion of a global Lasallian network of dedicated educators. Watch this video highlighting the celebrations that took place.
$1.7 million grant received to develop character and virtue programs for educational administrators
Saint Mary’s has been awarded a $1,732,643 grant from the Kern Family Foundation for the university’s School of Education Character and Virtue Initiative. Using grant funding, Saint Mary’s will develop an enhanced curriculum for current and future educational leaders that places a strong emphasis on moral character, virtue, and ethics. The course content will be enhanced using the University of Birmingham’s (UK) Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue framework. It will be customized to align with the Lasallian Virtues of a Teacher and the Cardinal Virtues matrix already informing the university’s mission and practices.
Anonymous donor pledges $5 million matching grant to renovate Adducci Science Center
Last spring, an anonymous benefactor pledged a $5 million matching grant to Saint Mary’s University to be used to renovate and expand the Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles Halls. The gift is matching, dollar for dollar, all new contributions received since May 10, 2019.
“Our anonymous benefactor is a successful businessperson who supports business at Saint Mary’s and all the great work that’s being done,” said Audrey Kintzi, vice president for Advancement and Communication. “This benefactor understands the importance of providing today’s business students with a quality education that also addresses business ethics, focuses on working collaboratively, and provides real-world experiences.” To take advantage of this $5 million match, contact Kintzi at akintzi@smumn.edu or 507-457-1486.
Photo caption: Draft artist renderings of the proposed Adducci Science Center renovations
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