Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus Newsletter
Saint Mary’s celebrates accreditation, reaccreditation of two Health and Human Services programs
Saint Mary’s University is celebrating a significant academic accomplishment with news of the accreditation of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and the reaccreditation of the Doctor of Psychology in Counseling (Psy.D.) program.
The Master of Social Work program recently received accreditation from the Council of Social Work Education. The accreditation is retroactive, meaning that any student who has participated in the MSW program since its inception is now considered to have participated in an accredited program.
“The purposes of accreditation are quality assurance, academic improvement, and public accountability. Accreditation is essential for our students because many employers require documentation of a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program,” said Mallory Knipe, program director for the MSW program.
The Psy.D. program also recently received reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association Commission of Accreditation.
In the reaccreditation letter, the Commission wrote, “The Commission recognizes the quality of training provided by the program and deems it in substantial compliance with the Standards of Accreditation. The Counseling PsyD program is housed in a large institution providing robust training experiences for students. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota recruits well-qualified students. The program has a clearly defined leadership structure and clearly values the recruitment and retention of diverse students providing numerous strategies illustrating a commitment to self-reflection.”
Ashley Sovereign, program director for the Pys.D. program, said, “A ten-year reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation is a strong vote of confidence in the Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program’s curriculum. In their decision, the COA praised the ways in which the program demonstrates a commitment to the recruitment and retention of diverse students. As one of only eleven APA-accredited Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology doctoral training programs in the United States, the Saint Mary’s program has a distinctive identity, integrating the values and knowledge base of counseling psychology with a professional psychology clinical training model. Our graduates are doing well, and report that their employers value the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they gained in the Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program.”
Amy Heinz, dean of the School of Health and Human Services said, “Accreditation for the Master of Social Work and Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology programs is the gold standard of education in these fields. It ensures that the curriculum is rigorous, current, and educates future practitioners to engage in best practices. It also allows for the best outcomes for our students, as many employers seek to hire graduates who have received a degree from an accredited program. Achieving initial and reaccreditation involves months and months of effort and planning, and is a testament to the quality of our programs and the program directors, faculty, and staff that drive them.”
Alisa Macksey to assume vice president position at La Salle University
Alisa Macksey, dean of student success and the First Generation Initiative, has announced that she will be departing from Saint Mary’s on July 5. Macksey will continue her service to Lasallian Catholic-based higher education as she steps into her new role as vice president for mission, diversity, and inclusion at La Salle University in Philadelphia.
Alisa Macksey, dean of student success and the First Generation Initiative
During her seven years at Saint Mary’s, Dean Macksey advanced one of our signature efforts that directly aligns with our mission and enrollment goals. She joined Saint Mary’s in 2015 as the executive director of the First Generation Initiative. In this role, she led the development and growth of the program, engaging private philanthropy and academic support to help more than 75 scholars in achieving their undergraduate degrees. In 2019, Macksey assumed the role of dean of Student Success and First Generation Initiative, integrating FGI and student academic support services across the university. She restructured the department and collaborated with academic affairs and student affairs to bolster student retention, playing a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saint Mary’s President Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., added, “While leading the Student Success Center and the First Generation Initiative, Alisa’s work has been excellent. She has shown her deep experience of Lasallian education at Saint Mary’s. This is a great opportunity for Alisa as she advances her career and continues to serve Lasallian Catholic higher education. We thank her for her commitment to our students and our mission, and wish her the best in her new role.”
Macksey said, “I am grateful for my time at Saint Mary’s, where I have worked alongside wonderful colleagues and with inspiring students. I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue to work within the Lasallian mission at one of our sister universities.”
Dr. Matthew Gerlach, interim provost, will be working with Dean Macksey over the coming weeks to coordinate the transition and develop a plan to fill this critical leadership role.
Saint Mary’s Fund achieves record $1 million mark
The Saint Mary’s Fund (SMF) achieved an important milestone on May 31, 2022, when — for the first time in the school’s history — annual donations crossed the $1 million mark. In fiscal year 2022, a total of $1,012,275 was raised for the SMF.
Gifts to the SMF are unrestricted, meaning benefactors allow the university to decide how best to use the funds. About one-third of these gifts are directed automatically toward scholarship support, while the rest is used for other enhancements (like purchasing classroom equipment and facility improvements). Because of the fund’s flexibility to address areas of greatest need, all Saint Mary’s students benefit in some way from the SMF.
“More than anything, this says a lot about how our supporters feel about Saint Mary’s, its future, our students, and the mission of the university. They see something good here, and tell us through their philanthropy,” said Tracy Heaser, director of Annual Giving Programs. “Even when we share news that isn’t always positive, I hear them ask, ‘How can I help?’ I think that’s incredible and says amazing things about the culture of the Saint Mary’s community.”
SMF is an annual fund, which means that as of June 1, 2022, we start anew. Looking toward the current fiscal year, Gary Klein, vice president for advancement, said, ”Fundraising is more than an advancement team effort, it’s a university effort. We continue to build good relationships, and the more we work together, the more I think that will help take us where we need to go and ultimately better serve our students.”
Video welcomes shared with Catholic high school students in the region
As part of Admissions’ Homestretch ’22 and the university’s Catholic niche strategy, Father Burns recorded welcome videos for Catholic high schools in our region. Below are two examples, featuring customized messages to those students who are accepted, as well as to those students who are undecided (and their parents).
“These messages from Father Burns really highlight the community that new students will be joining and the important role all students at Saint Mary’s play in shaping our community,” said Tim Albers, vice president for Enrollment Management. “I’m excited that our students will have the opportunity to hear this message directly from Father Burns!”
Aquinas: https://youtu.be/9VRmENyBJlE
Cotter: https://youtu.be/G3sNhUPQq6k
Lourdes: https://youtu.be/g6WyU3-4k0U
Pacelli: https://youtu.be/0LimUftQbng
Providence: https://youtu.be/_K2jbsGmhWQ
General: https://youtu.be/eCd6gCnyPDc
College future state summer implementation planning update
From: Dr. Matthew Gerlach, interim provost and dean of faculties
It has been a very busy start to the summer as work is underway on academic action plans at the College. I am pleased to provide an update on the process and focus areas. As communicated in May when the future programming decisions were announced, the critical next step was to create implementation project teams and processes.
To continue the work recommended by the ad hoc BRAVE committee related to the college’s academic future state, a steering committee and four project teams have been identified. Joining me and co-chairing the steering committee are Deans Dr. Michelle Wieser and Dr. Darren Row. Other academic leadership are on the committee as well.
Three of the four implementation project teams received their charge (summarized below) and started their work at the beginning of the month:
- Teach-out Process and Plans for Majors & Minors Being Phased-Out
- Charge: Create detailed and comprehensive processes and resources to equip advisors with everything they need to communicate with and support students throughout the phase-out process.
- General Education Redesign & Teach-Out
- Charge: Recommend a redesigned liberal arts general education program; create a teach-out plan for elements of Integratus and recommend a general education support structure and assessment process. This work reinforces our commitment to an education grounded in liberal arts regardless of major.
- College Operational Effectiveness
- Charge: Identify critical areas of improvement in college structure and operations (policies, procedures, systems, etc.) and to propose and recommend particular, concrete solutions to address these for greater educational effectiveness and student success.
- New Ideas AND Enriching Co-Curriculars (especially the fine and performing arts)
- This is a critical, yet longer-term project. This includes innovative ideas for future programs, partnerships, and strong co-curricular student experiences. As we have said, though we will be phasing some majors out, we remain committed to the arts and will begin work soon to provide rich co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage and participate in music, theatre, and other creative arts. Several ideas have come from faculty, staff, and students. Community organizations also have shown a strong desire to engage and partner. We are looking at a 2023-2024 implementation of new plans, with the coming academic year providing what is currently being offered uninterrupted.
The first three groups have met with the steering committee, drafted and submitted their work plans for review, and already completed initial steps in their work. Each work plan includes an outline of the major project steps, timeline with milestones and deadlines, anticipated consultations with stakeholders, additional budget or other resources needed, steps for proposal approval process, and communications recommendations. The steering committee will meet with each of the groups again on July 6 to discuss the work plans and offer support to advance them. An outside benefactor is supporting the summer work.
Communicating with students as soon as we have plans in place is a critical next step as well. This will likely occur in August given the magnitude, nuance, and collaboration needed.
I welcome input and discussion about the future direction of the College and invite faculty to join me for a Thursday listening session from 12:30-1:30 p.m. either in-person (June 30, July 21, or July 28) or via Zoom (July 7). This is totally voluntary. If interested, please sign up at your earliest convenience for a session by completing this form (refreshments will be provided for the in-person sessions). If you are unable to attend a session or would prefer to connect one-on-one or in smaller groups of two or three, I am available for that as well (in person, online, or by phone). Please email me directly to schedule some time with me and copy Barb Schmidtknecht, bschmidt@smumn.edu.
There is nothing more important to me than to be present, available, and listening to you during this time of significant transition as we prepare for the coming academic year.
As I settle into this interim role of just a month and think about my time at Saint Mary’s – coming up on one year – I reflect on the prodigious work already done, the acute pain, grief, and anxiety many of us have experienced amidst the changes, the current efforts and what is to come, I am heartened to know that we all think always and foremost of our students as our reason for being, our mission. I have spoken with enough of you to know you share an enduring commitment to each and every student. This is foundational to the mission at a Lasallian Catholic university; of this Lasallian Catholic university.
The Saint Mary’s rebrand, continued
Since we shared the most recent information about the rebrand and its rollout in an earlier Cardinal Update this month, the Marketing and Communications Department has received some great questions, some of which have led to small changes in a few of the brand visuals. Thank you for your questions, your continued support, and your brand advocacy! And, please, keep them coming. Send your questions and comments to Lisa Guyott, associate vice president of marketing and communication.
Resources that provide information about the new branding initiative include an updated Q&A and the PowerPoint below:
Saint Mary’s congratulates May 2022 graduates
WINONA, Minn. — The following Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students completed requirements for bachelor of arts degrees in May 2022.
Student name, hometown, parents’ or guardians’ name/s
Kiarra Ahrens, Richmond, Minn., Rick and Deb Ahrens
Jillian Alekna, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Michael and Janet Alekna
Mandukhai Alimaa, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Alimaa Namsrai
Noah Anderson, Roseville, Minn., Albert Anderson
Kassandra Arriaga, Chula Vista, Calif., Ines Quirarte
Franklin Bakalars, La Crosse, Wis., William and Patricia Bakalars
Alexus Banda, El Paso, Texas, Betty Hidrogo
Warlyston Barros, Sparta, Wis., Angelo Francis and Israeline Ribeiro Barros
Isaac Barutha, Saint Francis, Wis., Julie Steege
Kathryn Bates, Durham, N.C., Barry and Melissa Bates
Dakota Becerra, Yorba Linda, Calif., Jose and Laura Becerra
Riley Becher, Rochester, Minn., Luke and Jolene Becher
Kaitlin Beitz, Ham Lake, Minn. Mark and Tami Beitz
Liam Belleveau, Middleton, Wis., Sylvia Sinclair
Felicity Bieker, De Pere, Wis., Greg and Melissa Bieker
Jada Biermeier, Eau Claire, Wis., Frank and Michelle Biermeier
Bernadette Bikyeombe, Big Lake, Minn., Bikyeombe Byaene
Chelsea Boesiger, McHenry, Ill., Chrsitine Boesiger
Joscelyn Buchwald, Minneapolis, Minn, Joseph and Brend Buchwald
Duell Buck, Rochester, Minn.
Nathan Budde, John Budde
Delaney Calabrese, West Dundee, Ill.
Kenady Campbell, Ellsworth, Iowa
Hannah Carney, Lake Geneva, Wis., Anthony and Lucy Carney
Giselle Centeno, Saint Paul, Minn., Enrique and Marielena Centeno
Keaton Cloven, Castle Rock, Colo., Stephanie Cloven
Garrison Corn, Grand Junction, Colo., Stephen and Kelly Corn
Caroline Cummings, Farmington, Minn., Michael and Tina Cummings
Grace Cushman, Mayer, Minn., Keith and Jody Cushman
Peter Danner, Grafton, Wis., Steve and Eva Danner
Michelle Dewitz, Osseo, Wis., Tim and Nancy Dewitz
Oran Dornelly, Micoud, Saint Lucia, George and Francis Dornelly
Elizabeth Duellman, Fountain City, Wis., Rick and Peggy Duellman
Nicholas Egan, Lake City, Minn., Anne Egan
Justin Erbe, Winona, Minn., Virginia Copeman
Maxwell Evans, Saint Paul, Minn., David and Donna Evans
Jacob Ewart, Oconomowoc, Wis., Curtis and Susan Ewart
Jae Faber, Mountain Lake, Minn., Craig and Debra Faber
Tabitha Fabin, Elk Grove Village, Ill., Edward and Karen Fabin
Ruoyu Fan, Shuangliu District, China, Huajiang Fan and Li Zhou
Niying Feng, Foshan, China, Anquan Feng
Kelly Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn., Dennis and Kathryn Ferguson
Angelyssa Figueroa, Tucson, Ariz., Jose Figueroa
Natalie Fink, Rochester, Minn., Tim and Jane Fink
Drake Flom, Ellsworth, Wis., Chris and Kari Flom
Caden Freetly, Farmington, Minn. Shelrae Jensen
Nathalie Freire Solis, Shakopee, Minn.
Mary Furlong, Barrington, Ill., Joe and Allison Furlong
Luke Gilbertson, Windom, Minn., Jeffrey and Denise Gilbertson
Grace Gilles, Saint Paul, Minn., Tom and Laurie Gilles
Haley Graham, Maiden Rock, Wis., Mike Graham and Ann Larson-Graham
Erin Grams, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, William and Laura Grams
Kaitlyn Gross, Spring Grove, Minn., Robert and Amy Gross
Sarah Halverson, New Hope, Minn., James and Bernadette Halverson
Sarah Hannan, Bangor, Wis. Tim and Nicolle Hannan
Matthew Harrington-Stack, Minneapolis, Minn., Laura Vosika
John Hatton, Naperville, Ill., Richard and Susan Hatton
Justin Haugo, Springfield, Minn., Brad and Kari Haugo
Bridgette Hegarty, Chicago, Ill., Kevin and Barbara Hegarty
Shaun Heier, Winona, Minn., Donald Heier
Nathan Herr, Chesterton, Ind., Jeffrey and Lynne Herr
Laura Herronen, Denver, Colo., Jeff Herronen
Sarrianna Hoffer, Wausau, Wis., Paul and Brenda Hoffer
Marian Hollenbeck, Anoka, Minn., Ken Hollenbeck
Nathan Huberty, Elkhorn, Wis., Michael and Colleen Huberty
Jesse Husman, Winona, Minn., Tom Husman
Mackenzie Jensen, Beloit, Wis.
Abigail Johnson, Delano, Minn., David and Kori Johnson
Jacob Johnson, Hartland, Wis., Jeremy Johnson and Tina Riggs
Joshua Johnson, Moorhead, Minn., William Johnson
Kailee Johnson, Rochester, Minn., Robert and Mary Johnson
John Paul Keane, Dakota Dunes, S.D., Kevin and Julie Keane
Jordan Keeley, Saint Peter, Minn., Jeff and Kim Keeley
Henry Kelly, Saint Paul, Minn., John and Kim Kelly
Breanna Kenney, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Leland and Jodi Kenney
Madeline Keroff, South Saint Paul, Stuart and Anne Keroff
Zachary Kjeseth, Wabasha, Minn., Gregory and Sherrie Kjeseth
Sydney Klausler, Lakeville, Minn., Tim and Kristin Klausler
Emily Kline, New Brighton, Minn., Lisa Kline
Thomas Kollasch, Bancroft, Iowa ‘
Megan Kowalis, Castle Rock, Colo., Paul and Michelle Kowalis
Rose Kraus, Goodview, Minn., Jeffrey and Stephanie Kraus
Emily Krautkremer, Montgomery, Minn., Dawn Krautkremer
Jonathon Krull, Seymour, Wis., Patrick and Catherine Krull
Javon Kunkel, Rochester, Minn.
Anna LaFontaine, Duluth, Minn., Michael and Laura LaFontaine
Caitlin Ledin, Ashland, Wis., Debra Ledin
Brett Lettner, Trempealeau, Wis., Laurelle Lettner
Terra Lieser, Andover, Minn., Risa Lieser
Yijun Lin, Chengdu, China
Isabelle Lindahl, Cottage Grove, Minn., Duane and Jill Lindahl
Tyson Liverance, Harley, Ontario
Margarita Lopez, Albert Lea, Minn.
Samuel Luhman, Saint Paul, Minn., Thomas Luhman and Amy Gohdes-Luhman
Holland Lutgen, Minneapolis, Minn., Edward and Linda Lutgen
Keegan Majerus, Pine Island, Minn., Michael and Mindy Majerus
Erin Marti, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mollie Marti
Hinako Matsumura, Itabashi-Ku, Japan
Kamryn Matta, Edinburg, Texas, Carolina Campos
Jordyn Matthews, Redmond, Wash., Darren and Ginny Sawatzky
Jacob Mayer, Mokena, Ill., Joseph and Amy Mayer
Natalya Mayotte, Saint Paul, Minn. Jennifer Schankereli
Reid McKeown, Saint Paul, Minn., Colin and Lisa McKeown
Elliot McLarty, Sioux City, Iowa, Patrick and Lisa McLarty
Barry Meinholz, Cross Plains, Wis.
Alex Melchor, Duncanville, Texas, Julie Sanchez
Jake Mercado, Belle Plaine, Minn., Corinne Mercado
Brooke Metcalf, Saint Paul, Minn., Reggie and Jennifer Metcalf
Olivia Meyer, Rice Lake, Wis., Jeremy and Rebecca Meyer
Amber Miller, Kasson, Minn., Michael and Heather Miller
Jordan Modjeski, South Lyon, Mich., Mike and Laura Modjeski
Mackenzie Moller, Cave Creek, Ariz., Charles and Kris Moller
Lindsey Monnet, Rochester, Minn., Dan and Janae Monnet
Kennedy Morgan, De Pere, Wis., Bryan and Kenna Morgan
Andrew Mullaney, Volga, S.D., Michael and Carolyn Mullaney
Natalie Munich, Hayward, Wis., Charlie and Julie Munich
Jesus Najera, Winona, Minn., Jose Najera
Lindsey Nelson, Winona, Minn., Chris and Tanya Nelson
Allyson Niedospial, Oak Lawn, Ill., Sandy Niedospial
Israela Noah, Saint Paul, Minn. Van Dyke Noah
Katherine Novak, Saint Paul, Minn., Ron and Amy Novak
Lyanna Novak, Chicago, Ill., Patrick Novak
Tyler O’Brien, Belle Plaine, Minn.
William O’Donnell, Crown Point, Ind., Dale O’Donnell
Trevor Paradise, Colorado Springs, Colo., Christine Paradise
Joseph Parenteau, Minneapolis, Minn., David and Michelle Parenteau
Anthony Pasquesi, Elmwood Park, Ill., Scott and Lisa Pasquesi
Luke Pauly, Minneapolis, Minn., Deborah Pauly
Lexy Peterson, Cochrane, Wis., Jennifer Peterson
Sarah Phipps, Hurst, Texas, Brian and Mary Phipps
Deshawn Pickford, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Lashenda Pickford
Tzolquin Pinedo, Saint Paul, Minn., Maria de los Angeles Marquez
Caitlin Preusser, Henderson, Minn., Martin and Karen Preusser
Morgan Prokosch, Belle Plaine, Minn., David and Sheri Prokosch
Brianna Raabolle, Elk River, Minn., Nels and Shannon Raabolle
Maya Reichenbacher, La Crosse, Wis., Tom and Tammy Reichenbacher
Noah Reinhardt, Castle Pines, Colo., Jonathan Reinhardt
Luis Reyes, Madison, Wis., Daniel and Claudia Reyes
Emma Ririe, Darien, Ill., Adam and Kathleen Ririe
Melina Rodriguez, Des Moines, Iowa, Angelica Rodriguez
Jonathan Rothering, Kronenwetter, Wis., Dewey and Kathy Rothering
Paul Rupert, Peoria, Ill., David Rupert
Angel Sacta Espinoza, Apple Valley, Minn., Blanca Espinoza
Ana Paula Saldana Cisneros, Queretaro, Mexico, Ricardo Saldana and Cynthia Cisneros
Crystal Salgado, Richfield, Minn.
Catherine Schiltz, Cocoran, Minn., Steve Schiltz
Marisa Schommer, Hastings, Minn., Brian and Mary Schommer
Ashlyn Seifert, Austin, Texas, Joseph and Nancy Seifert
Kylie Seifert, Austin, Texas, Joseph and Nancy Seifert
James Sewart, Mequon, Wis., Maggie Sewart
Carson Sheridan, Waunakee, Wis., Deana Tumer
Connor Sigler, Cottage Grove, Minn., Sean and Pam Sigler
Jacob Simmons, Winona, Minn., Stephanie Simmons
Rachel Simon, Saint Cloud, Minn., Jerald and Jennifer Simon
Avrey Simonson, Waupaca, Wis., Rick and Lisa Simonson
Kayla Sjodin, Waterford, Wis., Travis and Colleen Sjodin
Noah Skemp, La Crescent, Minn., Joe and Lisa Skemp
Savannah Slafter, Spring Grove, Minn., Steven and Jennifer Slafter
Caleb Smith, Brentwood, Tenn., William Smith
Karah Stangret, Blaine, Minn., Mike and Jennifer Stangret
Mayme Stanton, West Concord, Minn., Paul Stanton and Jessica Walton
Cole Stepanovich, Milwaukee, Wis.
Ryan Stoynich, Calgary, Alberta, Paul Stoynich
Zachary Streit, Circle Pines, Minn., Randal and Kari Streit
Jack Strotbeck, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Erich and Mary Beth Strotbeck
Erin Sullivan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Les and Mary Sullivan
Helin Sun, Taian, China
Elijah Szymanski, La Crosse, Wisconsin, James and Jennifer Szymanski
Ediget Tadesse, Austin, Minn., Tafesse Froche
Jack Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn., Robert and Barbara Thomas
Robert Tilot, Pulaski, Wis., John and Sheri Tilot
Ayla Todd, Kasson, Minn., Brian and Michelle Todd
Maciej Tomczak, Luban, Poland
Michelle Tran, Rochester, Minn. Yen-Huong Tran
Sally Traxler, New Prague, Minn., Colleen Traxler
Rebecca Turner, Anoka, Minn., Kendra Turner
Karen Valdez, Brookfield, Ill., Lupita Valdez
Clarissa Van Dale, New Brighton, Minn. Jim and Vicki Van Dale
Alexis Van Omum, Lindstrom, Minn., Rick and Jeanette Van Omum
Todd VenderMay, Long Valley, S.D., Vickie VanderMay
Andrew Vann, Ogilvie, Minn., Sitha Sarin
Julia VanWatermeulen, Ellsworth, Wis., Doug VanWatermeulen
Rolando Vazquez, Antioch, Ill., Rolly Vazquez
MaKenna Vetsch, Trempealeau, Wis., Jon and Donna Vetsch
Mark Wagner, Ixonia, Wis., Jeffrey and Karen Wagner
Destiny Walker, Saint Paul, Minn., Tawanda Hawkins
Joseph Wantock, Winona, Minn., Lisa and Don Wantock
John Waters, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Isaiah West, Aurora, Colo., Anita Day
Trevor Wilhelm, Saint Louis, Mo., Jim and Debbie Wilhelm
Elijah Williams, Saint Paul, Minn., Rachel Williams
Kaitlyn Wolfgram, Ham Lake, Minn., Patrick Wolfgram
Caroline Woodle, Knoxville, Iowa, Susan Woodle
Cyrill Wyllie-Sonsalla, Rosemount, Minn., Michael Sonsalla
Zhenyu Xing, Lakeland, Minn., Carrie Hackman
Yongfei Yu, Beijing, China
Joel Zabel, Garvin, Minn., Joel and Mary Zabel
Daniela Zavala, Loudon, Tenn., Francisco Zavala
Muhan Zhang, Suzhou, China
Grace Ziemer, Saint Paul, Minn., David Ziemer
Scott discusses inflation on Saint Mary’s podcast
In the most recent episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, assistant professor of business Andrew Scott discusses inflation. With prices increasing at the fastest rate in 40 years, Scott outlines considerations people may need to make in their everyday lives while navigating these times of rapidly changing high prices.
If you enjoy the show and the topics discussed, subscribe to Saint Mary’s Currents wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to previous episodes by visiting the Saint Mary’s Newsroom.
The Saint Mary’s brand launches
“Your brand is a gateway to your true work… When you create a compelling brand you attract people who want the promise of your brand – which you deliver.” –Coach Dave Buck
After a year of work on Saint Mary’s University’s rebrand effort, we are rolling it out now and want to share how we are launching and provide background and resources for you. Given the summer months and schedules, we are planning education and celebration activities at the start of the new academic year.
As we have noted in past updates in the Cardinal Update and Cardinal Update Live, the project has been a significant undertaking with input from faculty, staff, current and prospective students, alumni, and others in our community.
While the focus of the project is a new visual identity for us, it is important to remember that a brand is the sum total of all of the images and feelings that someone holds about a particular company, organization, or products and services. Each of us are brand ambassadors as we interact with students, visitors, alumni, community members, parents, and more.
What is changing now?
Last Friday, the first step in this rebrand was officially launched: our new logo and color scheme were added to the Saint Mary’s website and the home page was updated. As the web is our top channel of communication with prospective students, it is a critical channel to reinforce our position and value, and to make it easy for visitors to get the information they want and need quickly and seamlessly. The new website will launch in August, by the beginning of the academic year, so consider this current site and updated look as an interim step in the process.
Our advertising is also changing to reflect the new brand, and will launch on billboards, search, radio, display, and print in July. This advertising will be brand-focused to raise awareness of Saint Mary’s value among prospective undergraduate students and their parents, as well as prospective adult and graduate students, not to mention partners and benefactors.
The marketing and communication team has also partnered with undergraduate admissions and Liaison, a recruitment marketing partner, to develop newly branded pieces for high school students as part of their inquiry and search campaigns to recruit future classes. We will continue to integrate brand messaging and images in all communications over the next several months.
Banners in Winona are being placed around campus. A total of 89 banners will be up in the coming days. Each banner calls out the heart of our brand promise: Because of You. This statement reflects the essential truth behind our brand story in that we exist to provide a transformative and accessible education to students and those students will make a positive impact on the world because of their transformation, who they are, and who they become over their time with us.
Why rebrand now?
This is an exciting and needed step in Saint Mary’s continued evolution. Yet, with all the changes occurring at the university, you may be wondering, why now?
In today’s highly competitive higher education market, now is the perfect time for Saint Mary’s to tell its story in a clear, consistent, and compelling way through its new branding. The rebrand, which will bring increased visibility to Saint Mary’s, is part of our ongoing commitment to the viability and sustainability of the university. Ever mindful of our financial challenges, this brand rollout will occur in phases.
Resources for you
We have created the first set of resources for you and added them to the Marketing and Communication site (login required). These include:
- Electronic letterhead
- Esignature
- Font packages
- PowerPoint Templates
On the site, you will also find a link to order the following:
- Name badges
- Business cards
- Stationery
Last, but certainly not least, you will find a link to Saint Mary’s Brand Book. The brand book will help you consistently, effectively, and clearly express what Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota brings to the lives of its students every day: personal inspiration, character-building education, and future-ready skills.
As mentioned, we are rolling the brand out intentionally and in phases. Due to budget constraints and our desire to be fiscally responsible, we are not embarking on a global rebrand effort (out with the old and in with the new) but we do want externally-facing and key campus locations to showcase our new branding in a loud and proud way. So over the next weeks, we will add additional resources to the MarComm site, update signage and banners on all our campuses, and launch new brand advertising.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to bring the Saint Mary’s brand to life!
Recognizing employee service and retirees
The Saint Mary’s University community congratulates its employees for their years of service and recognizes this year’s retirees.
View this year’s virtual event and join us in celebrating this year’s honorees. To view the retirement videos at the end, go directly to https://youtu.be/crpWDGc17pQ and scroll to 15:20.
Saint Mary’s University, Diocese of Winona-Rochester partner on new graduate program in Catholic school leadership
Beginning in fall 2022, Saint Mary’s University is launching a 15-credit graduate certificate in Catholic school leadership through its new Christ the Teacher program — a joint initiative between the university and the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to support Catholic school teachers in the diocese who are interested in furthering their education.
The Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership is an innovative, cohort-based program to be delivered both online and in person from Saint Mary’s Minneapolis Campus. It is designed for full-time educators who aspire to serve as future leaders in Catholic education. With formative courses and ongoing mentorship, students gain a foundation from which to imagine how the commitments of the Catholic faith are lived in the context of Catholic education.
Students will consider the most crucial issues facing educators today from a Catholic perspective to better engage their students, colleagues, families, and community. Over the course of the program, students develop a long-term project that integrates theory and practice.
A distinctive aspect of this program is that students are paired with an experienced Catholic school leader who serves as a mentor. The mentor assists the learner in their exploration of theory, theology, and practice through application and experience. Faculty members for the graduate program will include leaders in Catholic education from across the country.
This certificate is appropriate for both current and aspiring teachers, leaders, and administrators as a credential on top of previous graduate work or a means to explore pathways for future graduate education or credentials. For students seeking to earn a master’s degree, all 15 credits of the graduate certificate program can be applied to the M.A. in Education (30 credits) allowing students to earn their degree in as little as two years.
Scholarships may be available to teachers from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. For more information and details on how to apply, go to https://www.smumn.edu/academics/graduate/education/catholic-school-leadership-certificate
“Catholic dioceses need quality teacher preparation, as they play such a crucial role,” said the Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona-Rochester. “Saint John Baptist de La Salle founded the Brothers to be teachers, and Saint Mary’s continues this tradition of preparing faith-based educational leaders today.”
“We believe that launching a program dedicated to the formation of Catholic school leaders is essential for the future vitality of Catholic schools in the state and beyond,” said Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president. “This program is aligned with our mission as a Lasallian Catholic university and our reputation for educational leader preparation in our school of education. We intend this program to be relevant to the needs of today’s school leaders as well as infused with the best treasures of Catholic education.”
Photo caption: Pictured are, from left: front, the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president; the Most Rev. John M. Quinn, AFSC, D.D., Bishop of Diocese of Winona-Rochester; Marsha Stenzel, superintendent of Catholic schools; back, Andrew Brannon, chief operating officer, chief finance officer for the diocese; Ann Merchlewitz, J.D., senior vice president and general counsel at Saint Mary’s; Michael Hahn, assistant dean of education at Saint Mary’s; Christine Gregory, coordinator of curriculum and assessment; and Peter Martin, director of communications for the diocese.
Saint Mary’s celebrates Jamaican partnership
This past Saturday’s SGPP graduation marked the culmination of a decade-and-a-half of collaboration, cooperation, and partnership between Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and the Catholic College of Mandeville, Jamaica. After a year or two of planning, Saint Mary’s launched its Master of Education and Teaching and Learning degree in partnership with the Catholic College of the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica in August 2008. Initiated at the request of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Mandeville, Paul Boyle, CP, to then President Brother Louis DeThomasis, the program has served well over 400 students and has conferred the M.Ed. on nearly 350 Jamaica K-12 teachers and school administrators.
This past Friday night a celebratory banquet was held with a number of this year’s graduates who had traveled from Jamaica to Minneapolis, each with family and friends, to participate in Saturday morning’s graduation, held at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. The banquet also provided the occasion to acknowledge the great spirit of cooperation between our two institutions over the years and the fact that all believe that CCM is now in a position to take on the program as their own. Starting in the fall, the M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning in Jamaica will belong to the Catholic College of Mandeville, which will administer and deliver it in full cooperation with and with the approval of the University Council of Jamaica.
On behalf of Father James P. Burns, Brother Robert Smith presented a commemorative plaque to Dr. Dianna Davis-Smith, President of CCM that reads:
In recognition of the culmination
of the successful academic partnership between the
Catholic College of Mandeville and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota,
offering the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning in Jamaica.
Together serving learners from 2008-2022.
Saturday morning’s graduation was a wonderful in-person celebration for those students who could travel from Jamaica; another graduation will take place to mark the conferral of this year’s degrees at a ceremony on CCM’s campus in October.
Sandbar Storytelling Festival to share ‘Business and Immigrant Stories of Winona’
The Sandbar Storytelling Festival, in partnership with the Winona County History Center, is sharing stories that have shaped Winona in a three-part series of “Business and Immigrant Stories of Winona.” Each storytelling event — free and open to the public — will begin at 7 p.m. at the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St.
June 21 — The founding of Hal Leonard, LLC by Steve and Nancy Bachler and Nick Edstrom. Hal Leonard LLC (formerly Hal Leonard Corporation) is an American music publishing and distribution company founded in Winona in 1947 by dance band musicians Harold “Hal” Edstrom, his brother, Everett “Leonard” Edstrom, and fellow musician Roger Busdicker. It is the largest sheet music publisher in the world.
July 14 — The founding of Willet Hauser Architectural Glass by Garrick Holey. In 1989, William and Ann Willet incorporated the Willet Stained Glass in Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1977, Willet Hauser Architectural Glass was formed through a merger with Willet Stained Glass and Hauser Art Glass Company in Winona. When the two businesses united, they formed one of the largest stained glass studios in the world.
September 12 — Project FINE immigration stories. Project FINE (Focus on Integrating Newcomers through Education) has been serving refugees and immigrants in Winona County and the surrounding area since 1990. Hear the personal and inspirational stories of immigrants who have chosen to call Winona home.
Winona storyteller and columnist Jerome Christenson will lead the business history discussions.
As admission is limited, please call the history center at 507-454-2723 to reserve a spot. The Sandbar Storytelling Festival Board looks forward to showcasing additional business stories in future years.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
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