Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus NewsletterU.S. News ranking, published op-ed help elevate Saint Mary’s in the public eye
As Saint Mary’s University continues to strive to be nationally prominent and regionally dominant, we look to identify ways to stand out for prospective students and their families. In the past few weeks, Saint Mary’s has been elevated in the public eye with new rankings released by U.S. News and World Report, as well as an opinion article penned by two faculty members that was published in the Star Tribune.
U.S. News and World Report rankings
Saint Mary’s University is listed No. 1 in Minnesota for its online MBA and its online business master’s programs, according to U.S. News and World Report’s latest rankings, announced Jan. 25.
Saint Mary’s ranks 191 in the 2022 “Best Online MBA Programs” category and is the top Minnesota school listed. It also ranked No. 103 in the “Business, Non-MBA Master’s” category and is again the top school in the state listed.
U.S. News evaluated both online business categories using five criteria: engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, student excellence, and student services and technology.
“These rankings are particularly meaningful for Saint Mary’s because their criteria for excellence is the same as ours,” said Michelle Wieser, dean of Saint Mary’s School of Business and Technology. “It’s our goal to provide students with instructors who are accessible and responsive as well as knowledgeable and current in their field. We are grateful that employers hold our MBA programs in high regard. This is a testament to our graduates, their ambitions, and skill levels. This combination, paired with advancing online learning technologies, is the recipe for successful outcomes-focused programs.”
Opinion article by Haugen, Lysne published in Star Tribune
On Sunday, Jan. 23, an opinion article written by Sarah Haugen and Tracy Lysne, program directors for the M.Ed. program at Saint Mary’s, was published in the Star Tribune’s print edition, as well as the paper’s website.
The article discussed the issue of teacher burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it might be addressed moving forward. The article was written after Haugen and Lysne discussed the same topic on the university’s official podcast, Saint Mary’s Currents.
Having faculty, staff, and administrators highlighted in local and national media is an excellent way to display the expertise they hold in their field.
With the success of having this article published, the Marketing and Communications Department will continue to identify ways to share the expertise of the university’s employees.
More than 300 graduates honored during SGPP commencement
On Saturday, Jan 22, the Saint Mary’s University community gathered to celebrate the graduates of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs.
Inside Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, a new venue for the university’s SGPP commencement ceremonies, bachelor’s completion, master’s, and doctoral degrees were conferred upon nearly 330 graduates.
During the ceremony, graduates heard words of encouragement from their classmates as they began the next steps in their personal and professional lives.
“As we embark into the world, newly minted graduates, the world presents challenges and opportunities,” said Peter Kazeminejad, who received his Ed.D. in Leadership degree. “Oftentimes, the same event can be perceived as a challenge or an opportunity. It all depends on your perspective, and I encourage each of you to seek out the opportunity side of each event you encounter. It is easy to find people who begin things with ‘you can’t.’ Seek out those who begin sentences with ‘You can,’ or ‘I believe in you’. Trust me these people help you to identify the possibilities that exist in every situation. They seek to better the lives of themselves and those around them. Their encouragement can help light the path on the darkest days. As we go into the world and turn to our lives and careers, my advice is to seek out those positive influences, those encouragers who make life valuable and rich. And while you’re at it, make sure to be the one to light someone else’s path on their darkest day.”
Graduates also took time to uplift the faculty they interacted with and spoke of the general sense of belonging they found while at Saint Mary’s
“The biggest reason I decided to go to this school was because of the sense of community. I really didn’t understand the phrase ‘Minnesota Nice,’ until I witnessed it myself,” said Haley Williams, a Colorado native who received her B.S. in Marketing. “Whether online or in person, it never felt like I wasn’t a member of the Saint Mary’s community.”
Being the first group from SGPP to gather for commencement since the COVID-19 outbreak, The Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., commended the graduates — the first to be able to gather for an in-person commencement since the pandemic began — for their hard work during such a trying time.
“You know better than most what it’s like to achieve an education in a time of great challenge. A time that is already changing how we work and how we live, and how and with whom we spend our time and interact,” Burns said. “The pandemic, for many, has brought sadness and loss. It has also shown a light on our need for connectivity, adaptability, and creativity. This requires courage and balance. In this time, you all have been examples of the kind of fortitude, resilience, will, and determination necessary to advance us all toward a better tomorrow.”
Since the number of guests was limited due to COVID-19 precautions, Saint Mary’s offered a video streaming options for those who could not make it to the ceremony in person. As of Friday, the stream had just over 4,100 views.
Watch video footage of the ceremony in the video box below:
Events planned in honor of Blessed James Miller B’66, M’74
Blessed James (Brother James “Santiago” Miller B’66, M’74) was a dedicated De La Salle Christian Brother and Saint Mary’s alumnus who died serving and protecting the youth he served 40 years ago. Blessed James was only 37 when he was shot and killed as he was mending a wall outside of a school where he worked in Huehuetenango, Guatemala in 1982.
Brother James Miller, FSC, ’66, M’74
Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of Brother James Miller, FSC, on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. The Vatican announced that Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing Brother James died as a martyr. Brother James is the first De La Salle Christian Brother from the United States to be beatified. His beatification was held in 2019 in Guatemala. As a martyr, Brother James must have one miracle posthumously attributed to him to reach the next (and final) level toward official sainthood, which is canonization.
The Vatican approved a special Mass for Blessed James on the anniversary of his death. Bishop Quinn will present it on that Sunday, Feb. 13. He has invited all the Brothers from Winona and Twin Cities to the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Feb. 13, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.
Saint Mary’s is also planning a week of special events in connection with Blessed James Saturday, Feb. 12, through Friday, Feb. 18.
Twin Cities Event
Wednesday, Feb. 16
Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Paul Kotz, 4 p.m. in Brother Louis Hall Main Room. The topic is “Who is my neighbor: Immigration & Refugee Discussion.” Panelists include the Rev. Jerchah Heurh, pastor First Hmong Assemblies of God Church; Dr. Nhia Heurh Vu, manager of learning and development at the Minnesota Department of Revenue; Gene Gelgelu, doctoral candidate in Saint Mary’s Doctor of Education in Leadership program; and Amy Smith, social worker at Hennepin Healthcare’s Whittier Clinic.
Winona Event Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 12
Vigil Mass, 4:30 p.m., Chapel of Saint Thomas More
Monday, Feb. 14
An Evening with Br. Paul Joslin, FSC, 7 p.m., Toner Student Center Lounge; refreshments will be served.
Thursday, Feb. 17
Migrant America: The Hidden Community Amongst Us Panel Discussion, 7 p.m., Salvi Hall. Panelists will be Dr. Kyle Black and Fatima Said, executive director of Project FINE. Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann McCullough, RSM, will serve as the moderator.
Friday, Feb. 18
Movie & Discussion: “Romero,” 7 p.m., Aquinas Hall 200
Please contact the Office of Mission & Ministry at officeofmission@smumn.edu with any questions regarding the events.
Brother Paul Joslin, FSC
Brother Paul Joslin, FSC, friend and colleague of Blessed James will return to Saint Mary’s to help tell Blessed James’ story.
How long did you know him and how would you describe Blessed James? I knew James Miller for the last 14 months of his life. In Huehuetenango, we were seven brothers in one community but two residences. James and I lived and staffed the Casa Indígena. From an early age, James learned the value of physical work since he grew up on a farm the oldest of five children. Hard work and long hours were part of his lifelong daily routine.
Can you briefly describe how Blessed James was killed and the circumstances surrounding his death? On a Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1982, we received word that the father of a fellow brother urgently wanted to speak to a community member. This particular father just retired from the border patrol police. His office had been on the local army base. The message that we heard at dinner time was that members of the G-2 (death squadron) were looking for the “sub-director” of De La Salle. After dinner, we had a very meaningful, fraternal, long community meeting attempting to best discern which one of the three with such a title was being targeted. Before concluding, each of the seven of us individually and collectively made the same commitment to remain in Huehuetenango as long as possible.
The helpful father told us to remain inside as much as possible or to go outside accompanied. On Saturday, Feb.13, 1982, James decided to patch a wall outside the Casa Indígena around 4 p.m. No sooner had he climbed a ladder, than three gun-wielding men approached and fired several shots. James was dead by the time he hit the pavement.
When I arrived at the nightmarish scene, I picked up the cap he was wearing and ran a finger around the inside perimeter. I ended up touching sweat. It was as if he were still alive. His tragic death at age 37 was the most traumatic event I had ever experienced. In retrospect, we were being watched very attentively. I am convinced that we ran afoul of the military regime because of our commitment to the economically poor. If committed to the poor, then you are mistreated like the poor.
Can you describe how Blessed James was committed to the youth he served? James Miller not only made a life-giving commitment to the youth of Huehuetenango but also the economically poor Indigenous ones. He really could have remained in the relatively safe, comfortable Minnesota. He described his days as being “28 hours long.” The daily Huehuetenango routine began very early with morning prayer, breakfast followed by classes 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. then lunch. After lunch, Jim worked on a diocesan farm together with students from the Casa Indígena until 5 p.m. After evening prayer and dinner was supervision for a quiet study period from 7:30-9 p.m. Oftentimes James would then counsel students until almost midnight. It certainly was a full day.
What do you hope students take away from your upcoming presentations? What should it mean to students to have this connection to Blessed James, who was also a Saint Mary’s alumnus? To quote martyred Sister Ita Ford in a letter to her niece shortly before her tragic death, “I hope that you (the students) find something worth living for and even worth dying for … I do not know what it is. I can only encourage you to look for it.” This, too, is my greatest wish to take place for the students that I soon will be addressing.
Lynch discusses political polarization on Saint Mary’s Currents podcast
On this episode of the podcast, we tackle an issue that is familiar to anyone who follows the news of the day: political polarization. It’s a timely topic, as the U.S. recently recognized the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, and a prolonged pandemic continues to divide the country. Saint Mary’s Currents’ host Ben Rodgers is joined by political science professor David Lynch to discuss the historical background of political polarization, the factors that have led to the divide we see today, and how we as a country might be able to pull ourselves out of the divide.
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.
Saint Mary’s grad uses knowledge of the outdoors to protect natural resources as a wildland firefighter
An avid outdoorsman, Saint Mary’s University 2018 alumnus Christopher Virruso III is utilizing lessons he’s gathered from the classroom and his knowledge of the outdoors to protect forestland acreage, communities, and other natural resources. Virruso, who majored in environmental biology, works as a firefighter; however, there are no big red trucks in his line of work — only shovels, axes, and long days.
The Chicago native is employed as a wildland firefighter and forestry technician by the U.S. Forest Service and is stationed in White River National Forest. Working on a team with 10 other firefighters, Virruso and his coworkers hike into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado during fire season — sometimes working 16 hours a day for 14 straight days — to suppress wildfires with hand tools and chainsaws.
“We don’t have any hoses or water. We’re digging. Digging and cutting,” he said. “Our job is to remove brush and separate unburned fuel from the fuel that’s burning so we can suffocate the fire.”
Virruso has worked as a wildland firefighter for three years now. He said it’s a career he didn’t even know was possible when he was growing up — not even as a student at Saint Mary’s. Yet, he says his experience at Saint Mary’s set him on the path to his current career.
Having an uncle who briefly attended Saint Mary’s, Virruso says he visited Winona several times as a child. Being familiar with the landscape of the Driftless region, he knew Saint Mary’s was a place where he could immerse himself in nature as part of his college experience.
“When I was looking at colleges, I just wanted to study and learn more about the environment. I wanted to be outside, and I felt like the Mississippi River Valley was the perfect place,” he said.
After enjoying the opportunities to work and learn in the bluffs, streams, and rivers of the Winona area, Virruso knew whatever job he took after graduating would have to be outdoors.
After graduation, Virruso began working for the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RYMC) and was assigned to conservation projects in national parks and forests in Colorado. It was here where he was acquainted with wildland firefighting and began considering the profession.
“I liked building trails and being outdoors with the RYMC,“ he said. “But the firefighting portion of the work seemed very meaningful to me. You’re doing something that not only benefits you, but you’re also protecting folks.”
Entering the profession at a time when wildfire dangers are growing, Virruso has kept busy.
In 2020, his crew was called to the Pine Gulch Fire near Grand Junction, Colo., which was (at that point) the largest fire in the state’s history. From the ground, he said it was hard to tell how big the fire was. It wasn’t until family and friends told him about news reports they’d seen that he understood the magnitude of the event. During a particularly slow fire season in Colorado, he had the opportunity to return to Minnesota to respond to fires in the Boundary Waters.
Wildland firefighting may not have been a part of his coursework at Saint Mary’s, but he says he regularly applies lessons learned at the university into his daily work.
“The biggest takeaway from Saint Mary’s was how to communicate with others,” he said. “Which is important because of how dangerous the job is and how absolutely imperative it is that everybody knows what’s going on.”
While the dangers and physical demands of the job can take a toll, Virruso says he doesn’t see himself in any other job.
“We get paid in sunrises and sunsets, that’s kind of our motto. Even on the toughest days, it can be amazing. We’ll be up at 5 a.m. hiking, and we’ll see the sun come up over the Rockies, and I’ll just say, ‘Wow, this is the most magnificent place I’ve ever been,’ ” he said. “I’m lucky to be able to do this. I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, so the opportunity to travel and experience the outdoors and wildlife is amazing.”
Saint Mary’s online business programs ranked first in Minnesota by U.S. News
Saint Mary’s University is listed No. 1 in Minnesota for its online MBA and its online business master’s programs, according to U.S. News and World Report’s latest rankings, announced Jan. 25.
Saint Mary’s ranks 191 in the 2022 “Best Online MBA Programs” category and is the top Minnesota school listed. It also ranked No. 103 in the “Business, Non-MBA Master’s” category and is again the top school in the state listed.
U.S. News evaluated both online business categories using five criteria: engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, student excellence, and student services and technology.
“These rankings are particularly meaningful for Saint Mary’s because their criteria for excellence is the same as ours,” said Michelle Wieser, dean of Saint Mary’s School of Business and Technology. “It’s our goal to provide students with instructors who are accessible and responsive as well as knowledgeable and current in their field. We are grateful that employers hold our MBA programs in high regard. This is a testament to our graduates, their ambitions, and skill levels. This combination, paired with advancing online learning technologies, is the recipe for successful outcomes-focused programs.”
More than 400 students named to Saint Mary’s Dean’s List
WINONA, Minn. — The following students were named to the first semester 2021 Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
The dean’s list includes 417 undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.6 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Saint Mary’s University has about 5,200 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, Rochester, and greater Minnesota, and Wisconsin — as well as online. 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
First Name, Last Name, City, State, Country, Parent/Guardian information
Aidan Adamek, Helena, Marika Adamek
Jillian Alekna, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Michael and Janet Alekna
Mandukhai Alimaa, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Alimaa Namsrai
Elise Amerongen, Lake Elmo, Minn., John and Lisa Amerongen
Brinton Anderson, Pulaski, Wis., Timothy and Melissa Anderson
Jared Antony, Marshall, Minn., Mark Antony
Adrianna Baab, Wabasha, Minn., Todd and Susie Baab
Anna Bachmeier, Hopkins, Minn., Dana Bachmeier
Julia Backlund, Jordan, Minn., Eric and Shannon Backlund
Miranda Bade, Saint Paul, Minn.
Allysa Barlow, Appleton, Wis., Mary Barlow
Warlyston Barros, Sparta, Wis., Angelo Francis and Israeline Ribeiro Barros
Matthew Barton, Lakeville, Minn.
Rylan Bearden, Rochester, Minn., Rick and Florentina Bearden
Andrew Beine, Campbellsport, Wis., Ronald and Mary Beine
Kaitlin Beitz, Ham Lake, Minn., Mark and Tami Beitz
Jacqueline Beltran, Waukegan, Ill., Gabriela Cazarez
Matthew Besek, Winona, Minn., Jeff and Anne Besek
Gabriel Bickerstaff, Rollingstone, Minn., Jimmy Bikerstaff and Paula Harrigan
Felicity Bieker, De Pere, Wis., Greg and Melissa Bieker
Jada Biermeier, Eau Claire, Wis., Frank and Michelle Biermeier
Kathleen Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn., Peter and Renee Blissenbach
Preston Bluhm, Farmington, Minn., Kevin and Jill Bluhm
Ella Boomgaarden, Saint Peter, Minn., Mark and Laura Boomgaarden
Josephine Borchert, Saint Paul, Minn., Dave and Donna Borchert
Julia Braasch, Lake Zurich, Ill.
Kaydi Breeser, Caledonia, Minn., Anthony and Beth Breeser
Isaiah Brindamour, Hinckley, Minn., Sam Brindamour
Jack Broaders, Chicago, Ill., Patrick and Sara Broaders
Jacob Bruns, Sussex, Wis., Chris and Beth Bruns
Brooklyn Bublitz, Winona, Minn., Mari Bublitz
Nathan Budde, DePere, Wis., John and Jen Budde
Peyton Buerman, Shawano, Wis.
Hannah Bunke, Saint Charles, Minn., Scott and Kathy Bunke
Sean Burke, Chicago, Ill.
Emmarie Byom, La Crescent, Minn.
Delaney Calabrese, West Dundee, Ill.
Blake Campbell, Keller, Texas
Alexander Cannon, Canton, Mich., Mike and Lauren Cannon
Clair Cardinal, Saint Paul, Minn., Robert and Sharon Cardinal
Mackenzie Carey, Prescott, Wis., Steven and Barbara Carey
Cheyenne Carlsen, Big Lake, Minn., Darin Gladen and Susan Carlsen
Samantha Carlson, Circle Pines, Minn., Darren Carlson
Anne Carmean, Blaine, Minn., John and Mary Carmean
Grace Chalmers, Albert Lea, Minn., Neil and Aimee Chalmers
Allison Ciero, Glen Ellyn, Ill., Jon and Brenda Ciero
Cori Claeys, Lakeville, Minn.
Shane Cleary, Rochester, Minn., Kristin Cleary
Larkin Clem, Elk River, Minn., Laura Clem
Jacob Clements, Holmen, Wis., Brian and Sara Clements
Keaton Cloven, Castle Rock, Colo., Stephanie Cloven
Justine Cobbett, Saint Paul, Minn., Thomas Cobbett and Angie Cobbett
Leo Colling, Jordan, Minn.
Thomas Comstock, Saint Paul, Minn., Lisa Comstock
Colleen Costello, Delano, Minn., David and Judy Costello
Emily Crandall, Stillwater, Minn., Geoffrey and Allison Crandall
Clarissa Culver, Hokah, Minn.
Sean Curran, Appleton, Wis., Rich and Cortney Curran
Grace Cushman, Mayer, Minn., Keith and Jody Cushman
Peter Danner, Grafton, Wis., Steve and Eva Danner
Kylie Davidson, Oronoco, Minn.
Natalie Degener, Rochester, Minn., Chris and Jennifer Degener
Theresa DeGross, Minneapolis, Minn.,
Josie Denzin, Neenah, Wis., James and Vicki Denzin
Patrick Derleth, Berlin, Wis., Peter and Susan Derleth
Katherine Devine, Glencoe, Ill., Ted and Valerie Devine
Michelle Doering, Minneapolis, Minn., Mark and Renee Doering
Madeline Dosser, South Saint Paul, Minn., Douglas and Laura Dosser
Megan Drayna, Woodbury, Minn., Mark and Kathy Drayna
Christopher Ellis, Roseville, Minn., Mark Ellis
Ian Erdman, Flower Mound, Texas
Rebekah Erickson, Saint Paul, Minn., Jesse Erickson and Jessica Erickson
Maxwell Evans, Saint Paul, Minn., David and Donna Evans
Jacob Ewart, Oconomowoc, Wis., Curtis Ewart and Susan Ewart
Jae Faber, Mountain Lake, Minn., Craig and Debra Faber
Mariel Faber, Dodge Center, Minn.,
Tabitha Fabin, Elk Grove Village, Ill., Edward and Karen Fabin
Brandon Fagiolo, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nicholas Falls, Plymouth, Wis., Anita Falls
Ruoyu Fan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Fan Huajiang and Li Zhou
Niying Feng, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, Anquan Feng
Kelly Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn., Dennis and Kathryn Ferguson
Alexander Ferrier, La Crescent, Minn., Tim and Tammy Ferrier
Bennett Feudner, Fond Du Lac, Wis.
Claire Fletcher, Saint Paul, Minn., Teri Fletcher
Drake Flom, Ellsworth, Wis., Chris and Kari Flom
Cecilia Flores, West St Paul, Minn.
Zavior Franck, Brainerd, Minn., Brian and Tamee Franck
Zackery Frantzen, Urbandale, Iowa, Traci Frantzen
Noah Frechette, Lakeville, Minn.
Jacob Freund, Fond Du Lac, Wis., Cheryl Freund
Samuel Frick, Rochester, Minn., Sara Frick
Elizabeth Fritton, Rochester, Minn., Scott and Theresa Fritton
Braden Fritz, Minnesota City, Minn., Scott and Lisa Fritz
Mary Furlong, Barrington, Ill., Joe and Allison Furlong
Isaac Galle, Ellsworth, Wis., Andrew and Stacey Galle
Sophia Gannon, Savage, Minn., James Gannon and Amy Goss
Samantha Ganther, Holmen, Wis., Kevin and Sonya Ganther
Nathaniel Garity, Rochester, Minn., Penny Garity
Emily Garlets, Minneapolis, Minn., Gabriel Garlets and Luanne Garlets
Henry Gathje, Stewartville, Minn., Andy and Nora Gathje
Katherine Gawron, Ave Maria, Fla.
Jenifer Giefer, Rochester, Minn., Larry and Joan Giefer
Grace Gilles, Saint Paul, Minn., Tom and Laurie Gilles
Abby Gilliland, Dodge Center, Minn., Ben and Pamela Gilliland
Madeline Gindele, Buffalo, Minn., Paul and Allison Gindele
Aleigha Glidewell, Lennox, S.D., Ryan and Heather Glidewell
Seth Gonring, Madison, Wis., Ben and Wendy Gonring
Stephen Good, Williamsport, Pa.
Peyton Grant, Lakeville, Minn., Carly Grant
Sydney Green, Bethel, Minn., John and Amy Green
Megan Greenspan, Rapid City, S.D., Robert and Heather Greenspan
Isabella Griffin, Saint Paul, Minn.
Elizabeth Groothausen, Jordan, Minn., Tom and Lisa Groothausen
Kaitlyn Gross, Spring Grove, Minn., Robert and Amy Gross
Gabrielle Gruenke, Minneapolis, Minn.
James Guenther, Rochester, Minn., Adam Guenther and Jennifer Dybsand
Paul Guertin, Elk River, Minn.
Katherine Hafner, Rochester, Minn.
Cole Hagen, Shakopee, Minn., Dave and Karna Hagen
Seth Hakes, Oregon, Wis.
Riley Hall, Dallas Center, Iowa, Sonny and Robin Hall
Sarah Halverson, New Hope, Minn., James and Bernadette Halverson
Sarah Hannan, Bangor, Wis., Tim and Nicolle Hannan
Josiah Hanson, Box Elder, S.D., Brett and Shawna Hanson
Samuel Hanson, Eleva, Wis., Christine Hanson
Josie Hart, Oronoco, Minn.
Graysin Hartjes, Kaukauna, Wis.
Bridgette Hegarty, Chicago, Ill., Kevin and Barbara Hegarty
Michael Hegarty, Chicago, Ill., Kevin and Barbara Hegarty
Anthony Heier, Winona, Minn.,
Shaun Heier, Winona, Minn., Donald Heier
Nicole Heimsness, Austin, Minn.
Emily Henderson, Jordan, Minn., Chad and Kristen Henderson
Lucas Henderson, Lakeville, Minn., Julie Henderson
Gianna, Henningsen, Pella, Iowa, Bradley and Ann Henningsen
Laura Herronen, Denver, Colo., Jeff Herronen
Rachel Hewitt, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Sheila Hewitt
Valerie Higgins, Sioux Falls, S.D., John and Nicole Higgins
Makenzie Hodson, Middleton, Wis., Chip and Jeanette Hodson
Marian Hollenbeck, Anoka, Minn., Ken Hollenbeck
Grace Howard, Saint Paul, Minn., Michael and Sarah Howard
Nathan Huberty, Elkhorn, Wis., Michael and Colleen Huberty
Jack Hurley, Homewood, Ill., David and Ann Hurley
Vincent Hurley, Maplewood, Minn., Mike Hurley
Jesse Husman, Winona, Minn., Tom Husman
Nicholas Huza, Greenville, Wis.,
Yuko Iida, Narita, Japan
Christa Ingabire, City of Kigali, Rwanda, Damascene Rusanganwa and Beatrice Ntawangundi
Garrett Jackson, West Linn, Ore., Thomas Jackson
Joshua Janssen, Green Bay, Wis., Robert and Lorie Janssen
Joshua Johnson, Moorhead, Minn., William Johnson
Kailee Johnson, Rochester, Minn., Robert and Mary Johnson
Savana Johnson, Thurmont, Md., Kristine Johnson
Alyssa Jones, Stewartville, Minn., Jarett and Pam Jones
Tiwonge Kafera, Saint Paul, Minn.
Scott Kahler, Little Falls, Minn., Kay Kahler
Lauren Kantrovich, Delano, Minn., Lyle and Kari Kantrovich
Wade Katula, Fountain City, Wis., Gwen Katula
John Paul Keane, Dakota Dunes, S.D., Kevin Keane and Julie Keane
Jordan Keeley, Saint Peter, Minn., Jeff and Kim Keeley
Henry Kelly, Saint Paul, Minn., John and Kim Kelly
Jack Kelly, Northfield, Minn., John and Penny Kelly
Mackenzie Kelly, Brookings, S.D., Gregg and Meghan Kelly
Elizabeth Kelsey, Hugo, Minn., Richard Kelsey and Shawna Kelsey
Breanna Kenney, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Leland and Jodi Kenney
Emily Kern, Buffalo, Minn.
Madeline Keroff, South Saint Paul, Minn., Stuart and Anne Keroff
Nicholas Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo., Tom and Annmarie Kiemel
Noah Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo., Tom and Annmarie Kiemel
Landry Kirsling, Amherst, Wis.
Katherine Kitchen, Metairie, La., Kevin Kitchen
Mitchell Klatt, Barron, Wis., Michael and Jane Klatt
Sydney Klausler, Lakeville, Minn., Tim and Kristin Klausler
Mason Klett, Saint Paul, Minn., Chris and Tiffany Klett
Kendra Klobe, Glencoe, Minn., Reece Klobe
Cade Kloss, Saint Paul, Minn., Kevin Kloss and Tammy Sloane-Kloss
Thomas Kollasch, Bancroft, Iowa
Grace Korkowski, Prior Lake, Minn., Ron and Sue Korkowski
Emma Kral, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Rose Kraus, Kasson, Minn., Jeffrey and Stephanie Kraus
Emily Krautkremer, Montgomery, Minn., Dawn Krautkremer
Eion Kressin, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Michele Kressin
Jonathon Krull, Seymour, Wis., Patrick and Catherine Krull
Kasyn Kruse, Luverne, Minn., Jason and Karla Kruse
Amy Kulaga, Riverside, Ill., Brian and Louise Kulaga
Juoleanne Ladao, Lindenhurst, Ill., Jose and Cherrie Ladao
Anna LaFontaine, Duluth, Minn., Laura LaFontaine
Rachel Lang, Saint James, Minn., Steve and Laura Lang
Nina Langley, Chaska, Minn.
Ian Latvala, Maple Grove, Minn.
Allyson Lenz, Owatonna, Minn., Gregory and Heather Lenz
Zachariah Lenz, Owatonna, Minn.
Brett Lettner, Trempealeau, Wis., Laurelle Lettner
Terra Lieser, Andover, Minn., Risa Lieser
Isabelle Lindahl, Cottage Grove, Minn., Duane and Jill Lindahl
Kristian Lindanger, Tysværvåg, Norway
Brady Lindauer, Land o lakes, Fla., Kevin and Debra Lindauer
Tanner Linduski, Fall Creek, Wis., Toni Marten
Tyson Liverance, Harley, Ontario, Canada
Brendan Logan, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Maddelyn Long, Andover, Minn., Mike and Kimberlie Long
Samuel Luhman, St. Paul, Minn., Thomas Luhman and Amy Gohdes-Luhman
Holland Lutgen, Minneapolis, Minn., Edward and Linda Lutgen
Jonathan Lutz, Fairmont, Minn., Laura Lutz
Qi Kai Ma, Baotou, China, Zhi ze Ma and Xue yan Tan
Kailee Magaard, Mankato, Minn., Kevin and Cherie Magaard
Thomas Magnavite, Palos Heights, Ill., Rocco and Lana Magnavite
Grace Mandel, Victoria, Minn., Mark and Keely Mandel
Kaley Manglitz, Onalaska, Wis.
Emma Mara, Woodbury, Minn., James and Kathryn Mara
Anna Marinc, Carol Stream, Ill., Jim and Sarah Marinc
Joseph Markert, Saint Paul, Minn.,
David Marrone, Baraboo, Wis.,
Andrew Martin, Shell Lake, Wis., Peter and Kim Martin
Daniel Marxen, Osseo, Minn., Cathy Marxen
Jane McGann, Chicago, Ill., Stephen and Julie McGann
Reid McKeown, Saint Paul, Minn., Colin and Lisa McKeown
Brooklyn McKinney, Brighton, Colo.
Elliot McLarty, Sioux City, Iowa, Patrick and Lisa McLarty
Ciarra McNally, Saint Charles, Minn., Charles McNally and Tanya LeJeune
Caitlin Meier, La Vista, Neb., Mark Meier and Rebecca Aden
Barry Meinholz, Cross Plains, Wis.
Jacob Mejino, Westchester, Ill.
Danielle Mengel, Stevens Point, Wis., Bill Mengel
Brandon Merfeld, La Crosse, Wis., John and Heather Merfeld
Morgan Meyer, Kellogg, Minn.
Olivia Meyer, Rice Lake, Wis., Jeremy and Rebecca Meyer
Michael Milam, Delafield, Wis., Brian Milam and Sherry Milam
Sara Miller, Kasson, Minn.
Jordan Modjeski, South Lyon, Mich., Mike and Laura Modjeski
Mackenzie Moller, Cave Creek, Ariz., Charles Moller and Kris Moller
Allison Moysis, Pewaukee, Wis., Sheldon and Kathy Moysis
Nyasha Mpofu, Johannesburg, South Africa, Prosper Mpofu
Andrew Mullaney, Volga, S.D., Michael and Carolyn Mullaney
Anna Muntifering, Saint Paul, Minn., Todd and Susan Muntifering
Madeline Murphy, Le Claire, Iowa, Lorena Murphy
Saki Nakatsura, Kashiwa, Japan
Callahan Nauss, Maple Plain, Minn.
Kirsten Neistadt, Baxter, Minn., Seth and Emily Neistadt
Lindsey Nelson, Winona, Minn., Chris Nelson and Tanya Nelson
Maggie Newhouse, Owatonna, Minn., Deena Newhouse
Jacinta Nguyen, Rochester, Minn., Francois Nguyen
Allyson Niedospial, Oak Lawn, Ill., Sandy Niedospial
Abby Nosbisch, Chatfield, Minn., Kelly Nosbisch
Mark Nosbush, Paynesville, Minn., Monica Nosbush
Katherine Novak, Saint Paul, Minn., Ron and Amy Novak
Lyanna Novak, Chicago, Ill., Patrick Novak
William O’Donnell, Crown Point, Ind., Dale O’Donnell
Luke Olson, Moline, Ill., Andrew and Melinda Olson
Sophia O’Neil, South Jordan, Utah, Brian and Wendy O’Neil
Christopher Orsello, Chicago, Ill., Albert and Jennifer Orsello
Isabelle Ostrem, Cochrane, Wis., Cindy Ostrem
Emily Ostrowski, Algonquin, Ill., Mark and Amy Ostrowski
Abigail Painovich, Hinckley, Minn., Nate Painovich
Kyle Palmberg, Holmen, Wis., Robert and Debra Palmberg
Mason Palmer, Holmen, Wis.
Emma Paquette, Faribault, Minn.
Trevor Paradise, Colorado Springs, Colo., Christine Paradise
Joseph Parenteau, Minneapolis, Minn., David and Michelle Parenteau
Laura Pasmick, Ely, Minn., Wayne and Sue Pasmick
Brooklyn Paulson, Holmen, Wis., Joel and Kimberly Paulson
Luke Pauly, Minneapolis, Minn., Deborah Pauly
Breena Pehler, Rushford, Minn.
Katherine Perkins, Happy Valley, Ore.
Francis Perroud, Villa Elisa, Argentina
Joshua Perry, La Crosse, Wis., Brian Perry and Tammy Schmidt
Elle Petersen, Chanhassen, Minn.
Lexy Peterson, Cochrane, Wis., Jennifer Peterson
Natalie Peterson, Saint Cloud, Minn.
Seth Peterson, Black River Falls, Wis., Corey Peterson
Hunter Phillips, Minong, Wis., Lynette Phillips
Savanah Phyle, Prior Lake, Minn., Matthew and Jill Phyle
Ryan Pierce, Crown Point, Ind., Brianna Pierce
Izabella Pigorsch, La Crosse, Wis.
Laudon Poellinger, Hokah, Minn.
Alexis Pogatchnik, Rice, Minn., Michelle Pogatchnik
Katlyn Pokornowski, Silver Lake, Minn., David Pokornowski
Jeffrey Pokuta, Johnsburg, Ill., Susan Pokuta
Sidney Polzin, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Charles Pomroy, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Kevin Porcayo, North Chicago, Ill.
Olivia Potthoff, St. Charles, Mo., Holly Potthoff
Gabe Potyk, Oakland Township, Mich.
Dalton Prenot, Winona, Minn., Robert and Pamela Prenot
Caitlin Preusser, Henderson, Minn., Martin and Karen Preusser
Bailey Prevost, De Pere, Wis.
Morgan Prokosch, Belle Plaine, Minn., David and Sheri Prokosch
Luke Puffer, Duluth, Minn., Duncan Puffer and Stephanie Schirtzinger
Peter Quinn, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Brianna Raabolle, Elk River, Minn., Nels and Shannon Raabolle
Karson Rades, Appleton, Wis., Kristen Braatz
Noah Reinhardt, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jonathan Reinhardt
Riley Reynolds, Mora, Minn., Nathan Reynolds and Jocelyn Holmes
Danielle Rhodes, Pewaukee, Wis., Scott and Jeanne Rhodes
Anthony Richter, Gillette, Wyo.
Akela Rimstad, Richfield, Minn., John and Leslie Rimstad
Emma Ririe, Darien, Ill., Adam and Kathleen Ririe
Caden Rodning, Mason City, Iowa, Anne Boyer
Eryn Roemhildt, Saint Peter, Minn., Jennifer Roemhildt
Kaitlyn Rollinger, Minnesota City, Minn., Terry and Kathy Rollinger
Jonathan Rothering, Kronenwetter, Wis., Dewey and Kathy Rothering
Elise Roxas, Eagan, Minn., Ellen Roxas
Braidyn Ruetten, Holmen, Wis.
Anthony Ruskowski, Traverse City, Mich.
Riley Ruud, Vadnais Heights, Minn.
Molly Ryan, Saint Paul, Minn., David and Tracy Ryan
Zachary Ryan, Chicago, Ill., Thomas and Elizabeth Ryan
Gabriel Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn., Peggy Rysavy
Hina Sakai, Fukuoka, Japan
Ana Paula Saldana Cisneros, Queretaro, Mexico, Ricardo Saldana and Cynthia Cisneros
Ryan Saltness, Rochester, Minn.
Isaac Sanders, Bloomington, Ill.
Matthew Sankner, Pennington, N.J.
Avery Scardigli, Andover, Minn., Luke and Carrie Scardigli
Emily Schaffer, Hampton, Minn., Joyce Schaffer
Joseph Schauf, Deforest, Wis., John Schauf and Amber Schauf
Matthew Schell, Altura, Minn.
Mandy Schmidt, Mitchell, S.D., Ann Schmidt
Trinity Schmidtknecht, Winona, Minn., Kristina Schmidtknecht
Cameron Schmit, Byron, Minn.
Jessica Schneider, Minneapolis, Minn., Joe Schneider and Michelle Schneider
Peter Schoonmaker, Moline, Ill.
Katherine Schroettner, Oconomowoc, Wis., Andrew Schroettner
Ashlyn Seifert, Austin, Texas, Joseph and Nancy Seifert
Cassandra Sepp, Duluth, Minn., Angela Sepp
William Sepsis, Elmhurst, Ill., John Sepsis and Bessie Sepsis
Emilie Serna, Bowlus, Minn., Denise Sema
Daniel Sessler, Brookfield, Ill., Paul Sessler
Skylar Shaw, Scottsdale, Ariz., Tiffani Shaw
Deborah Shefa, Cottage Grove, Minn., Shefa Seid and Rahel Haile
Carson Sheridan, Waunakee, Wis., Deana Turner
Jacob Simmons, Winona, Minn., Stephanie Simmons
Rachel Simon, St. Cloud, Minn., Jerald and Jennifer Simon
Avrey Simonson, Waupaca, Wis., Rick and Lisa Simonson
Tyson Sirek, Eden Prairie, Minn., Jason and Tara Sirek
Noah Skemp, La Crescent, Minn., Joe and Lisa Skemp
Hannah Skroch, Savage, Minn., David and Beret Skroch
Savannah Slafter, Spring Grove, Minn., Steven and Jennifer Slafter
Alyssa Smith, Saint Paul, Minn., Theresa Walker
Michelle Smith, Oak Lawn, Ill.
Timothy Smith, South Saint Paul, Minn., Bruce Smith
Julia Smrecek, New Berlin, Wis., Troy and Laura Smrecek
Derek Sonmore, Minneapolis, Minn., Becky Sonmore
Amelia Spilde, Brooklyn, Wis.
Angela Spors, Rochester, Minn., Steve and Michelle Spors
Jonah Stafford, Hartland, Minn.
Mayme Stanton, West Concord, Minn., Paul Stanton and Jessica Walton
Emma Steele, Sparta, Wis.
Isabella Stein, Prior Lake, Minn., Dan and Lana Stein
Quinn Steinbrecher, Onalaska, Wis., Chelsey Steinbrecher
Tucker Stene, Minneapolis, Minn.
Audrey Storlie, Hinckley, Minn., Jodi Storlie
Ryan Stoynich, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Paul Stoynich
Samuel Streetar, Carver, Minn.
Zachary Streit, Circle Pines, Minn. Randal and Kari Streit
Ashley Streveler, Colby, Wis., Brian and Sara Streveler
Jack Strotbeck, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Erich and Mary Beth Strotbeck
Coleton Strupp, Holmen, Wis., Patrick and Amy Strupp
Lindsay Stussy, Zumbrota, Minn., Shawna Stussy
Erin Sullivan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Les and Mary Sullivan
Savannah Swanson, Marengo, Ill., Robb and Lisa Swanson
Charles Tackman, Escanaba, Mich.
Jack Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn., Robert and Barbara Thomas
Julia Thompson, Randolph, Minn., Elizabeth Thompson
Sophia Thompson, Melrose, Wis.
Robert Tilot, Pulaski, Wis., John and Sheri Tilot
Emma Toellner, Bonduel, Wis., Jennifer Toellner
Maciej Tomczak, Luban, Poland
Sally Traxler, New Prague, Minn., Colleen Traxler
Elizabeth Trnka, Montgomery, Minn.
Allison Urlaub, Burnsville, Minn.
Abrianna Utgaard, Star Prairie, Wis., Kimberly Anderson
Seth Vagts, Brainerd, Minn., Sean and DeeDee Vagts
Clarissa Van Dale, New Brighton, Minn., Jim and Vicki Van Dale
Trevon Van Egtern, La Crosse, Wis., Kent and Stacy Van Egtern
Faith Van Erp, Cold Spring, Minn.,
Alexis Van Ornum, Lindstrom, Minn., Jeanette VanOrnum
Collin van Waardenburg, San Pierre, Ind., Candice van Waardenburg
Isabelle Vanneste, Shoreview, Minn., Donna Vanneste
Melissa Varner, Andover, Minn., Donald and Adriana Varner
Rolando Vazquez, Antioch, Ill., Rolly Vazquez
Anthony Vera, Le Mars, Iowa, Hugo and Maria Vera
Makenna Vickery, La Crescent, Minn., Don and Cheryl Vickery
Ethan Vinyard, Valparaiso, Ind.
Akyra Virgous, Romeoville, Ill.
Morgan Von Feldt, Chisago City, Minn., Jeff and Amy Von Feldt
Maya Wachter, Dubuque, Iowa
Ella Wagner, South Saint Paul, Minn.
Mark Wagner, Ixonia, Wis., Jeffrey and Karen Wagner
Jaxon Waldvogel, Lino Lakes, Minn., Tim and Stephanie Waldvogel
Laura Walker, Winona, Minn., Scott Walker
Haley Wangen, Stewartville, Minn.
Hailey Warmka, Bricelyn, Minn., Dean and Tracy Warmka
Simon Warmkagathje, Saint Charles, Minn., Edward and Mary Warmkagathje
Cameron Weber, Holmen, Wis., Brian and Andrea Weber
Isaiah West, Aurora, Colo., Anita Day
Dylan Westcott, Holmen, Wis., Steve and Stacy Westcott
Abbi Westhoff, Marion, Iowa, Dennis Westhoff
Rhiannon Weston, St. Paul, Minn.
Joseph White, Fountain City, Wis.
Olivia White, Montevideo, Minn., Eric and Jennifer White
Courtney Wick, Mounds View, Minn., Tim and Angela Wick
Elijah Williams, Beloit, Wis., Rachael Williams
Briana Williquett, Roberts, Wis., Christopher and Aimee Williquett
Jacob Wing, Verona, Wis., Tim and Kate Wing
Lawrence Wirries, Moorhead, Minn., John and Tracey Wirries
Jacob Wittman, Marshfield, Wis., Laura Wittman
Avery Wojtowicz, Oak Creek, Wis.
Caroline Woodle, Knoxville, Iowa, Susan Woodle
Jacob Woyczik, Brownsville, Minn.
Nicole Wurm, Clearwater, Minn., Kelly Wurm
Warner Young, Newberry, Mich.
Jordan Zabel, Elgin, Minn., Jeff and Vicky Zabel
Daniela Zavala, Loudon, Tenn., Francisco Zavala
Maya Zender, Prior Lake, Minn., Mike and Heidi Zender
Jenna Zimmer, Calgary, Alberta Canada, Shaun and Sonya Zimmer
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About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. At Saint Mary’s, students find in every classroom — whether in person or online — a relationship-driven, person-centered education. Through intense inquiry, students discover the truths in the world and the character within. Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota enrolls 5,200 students at its residential undergraduate college in Winona and its Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, based in Minneapolis with programs offered in Rochester, other locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and fully online. As a Lasallian Catholic university welcoming all students, Saint Mary’s offers respected and affordable programs in a variety of areas leading to bachelor’s, bachelor’s completion, master’s, certificate, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Learn more at smumn.edu.
Saint Mary’s students earn prestigious scholarship
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota public relations and digital media majors Grace Chalmers and Danielle Rhodes, both juniors, earned the top two academic scholarships from the Minnesota Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Chalmers was awarded first place and $2,000 in the Dr. Willard Thompson Scholarship competition, and also earned the “Best of PRSSA” for being the top overall scoring applicant. Rhodes was awarded second place and a $1,000 scholarship.
The Minnesota PRSA scholarship program is named after the late Dr. Willard Thompson of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, with scholarships awarded annually to students from qualifying colleges and universities who excel in the study of public relations and communications.
Chalmers and Rhodes will receive their awards at the Minnesota PRSA Classics Award Ceremony later this spring.
Psy.D. Faculty Receive Institutional Courage Research Grant
Drs. Kathryn LaBore and Marina Rosenthal have received an Institutional Courage Research Grant to explore how institutions like universities engage in institutional betrayal related to systemic forms of oppression experienced by their members. Institutional betrayal involves action or inaction on the part of an institution that makes something that is already harmful – such as discrimination – even worse. Drs. LaBore and Rosenthal’s research will also examine specific ways that institutions may respond to accusations of wrongdoing or oppression by denying, attacking, or shifting the blame toward their members, a pattern called DARVO. This study will also examine how institutional betrayal and DARVO may undermine institutional efforts at anti-oppression work.
Saint Mary’s congratulates December 2021 graduates
WINONA, Minn. — The following Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students completed requirements for bachelor of arts degrees in December 2021.
Student name, hometown, parents’ or guardians’ name/s
Samantha Henning, Lake City, Minn.
Jonathan Robinson, Champaign, Ill.
Ericka Thelin, Surprise, Ariz.
Adrianna Baab, Wabasha, Minn.,Todd and Susie Baab
Josephine Borchert, Saint Paul, Minn., Dave and Donna Borchert
Cameron Dowden, Goodhue, Minn., Daniel Dowden
Isaac Galle, Ellsworth, Wis., Andrew and Stacey Galle
Annalise Gibbs, Preston, Minn., James and Heather Shupe
Jenifer Giefer, Rochester, Minn., Larry and Joan Giefer
Peyton Grant, Lakeville, Minn., Carly Grant
Aldrianny Guerra-Cruz, Chicago, Ill., Aldrin and Natividad Guerra
Cole Hagen, Shakopee, Minn., Dave and Karna Hagen
Kourtney Jancze, Lake Elmo, Minn., Krystal Jancze
Alexis Jordan, Bremerton, Wash., Anita Duncan, Robert Floresca, and Tyler Jordan
Daynalyn Jostock, Millville, Minn., James and Dodie Jostock
Dara Kaiser, Bozeman, Mont., Todd and Coleen Kaiser
Allyson Lenz, Owatonna, Minn., Gregory and Heather Lenz
Maddelyn Long, Andover, Minn., Mike and Kimberlie Long
Anna Marinc, Carol Stream, Ill., Jim and Sarah Marinc
Abigail Mazurek, Darien, Ill., John Mazurek
Enitan Onayiga, Rosemount, Minn., Rebecca Jolaoso
Laura Pasmick, Ely, Minn., Wayne and Sue Pasmick
Jason Patt, Cedarburg, Wis., Mary Poole and Brian Patt
Gabriel Rodriguez Donch, Saint Paul, Minn., David Donch
Anna Rystrom, Andover, Minn., David Rystrom and Mary Evers-Rystrom
Samuel Schultz, Lakeland, Minn., Rob and Rebecca Schultz
Ryo Takayama, Sagamiharashi, Japan, Makiko Takayama
Celeste Van Klein, Lake City, Minn., Peter and Patricia Klein
Elizabeth Wright, Harvard, Ill., Steven and Sue Wright
Saint Mary’s receives two accolades that boost school’s reputation
As Saint Mary’s University continues to find new ways to reach prospective students and their parents, the university has received two accolades that will help reach our target audiences.
Recently, Saint Mary’s was named a 2021-2022 College of Distinction by the higher education guide that bears the same name. Along with being named a College of Distinction, the university was also named a Catholic College of Distinction and a Minnesota College of Distinction, joining nine other Minnesota higher education institutions.
Colleges of Distinction has been helping prospective students and parents in the college selection process since 2000. In the application process, schools must highlight several factors that make their institution noteworthy, including first-year student experience, the school’s implementation of Title IX, general education, career services, and student life. Schools must also meet the college guide’s “four distinctions,” which include engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes.
Saint Mary’s was also awarded the 2022 Readers’ Choice Award for Best University by ThisWeek/Dakota County Tribune readers in Apple Valley, Eagan, Farmington, and Rosemount, and LIFE newspaper readers in Columbia Heights, Fridley, Moundsview, and New Brighton.
Saint Mary’s will be highlighted as a Readers’ Choice winner in the Jan. 27 issue of the publications distributed in Apple Valley, Eagan, Farmington, and Rosemount.
Additionally, watch for the U.S. News and World Report rankings for best online programs, which will be released next week.
Nestingen honored by U.S. Navy for providing outstanding Psy.D. student applicants
Signe Nestingen, Psy.D., a professor and director of clinical training for Saint Mary’s Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program, is receiving two honors from the U.S. Navy.
This spring, she will receive the U.S. Navy’s Impact Influencer Award. Candidates for this award exemplify education and have been exceedingly impactful to the U.S. Navy Medical Recruitment Program.
Signe Nestingen, Psy.D.
According to Lt. David Acree, the officer in charge of U.S. Naval Medical Programs Talent Acquisitions Group for the Northern Plains, “Over the past two years Saint Mary’s has literally helped to fill one-fourth of the nation’s highly competitive Clinical Psychologist needs. This is due to three main facets, the first is the high caliber students, the second is your rigorous and outstanding program, and lastly is the efforts of Professor Nestingen. Every package that has come out of your school and passed my desk has her signature peppered throughout.”
Acree added that over the past two years, he’s been in regular correspondence with Nestingen about the high-caliber student applicants that she has recommended for several of his clinical psychologist programs.
As part of the recognition ceremony, three students Nestingen has been instrumental in preparing and placing will also be invited: James Selmon-Vasser M’16 and a 2021 Psy.D. graduate; Mariah Olvera M’19 (current intern); and Tuong Setala (a 2019 graduate of the Psy.D. program).
Additionally, in recognition of Nestingen’s work, she was chosen to take an education orientation visit (EOV), beginning Jan. 28, to the U.S. Navy Medical Center at Balboa in San Diego.
Navy Recruiting Command sponsors an annual EOV for Navy Talent Acquisition Groups and various recruiting departments. Competitively selected, civilians are offered the opportunity to witness the pride and professionalism of Navy Medical personnel serving our country. EOVs provide an actively engaged, compactly organized, two-day in-port tour of various Navy commands and installations to key educators with the overarching purpose of increasing their understanding of life in today’s Navy. Additionally, this will be an opportunity for Nestingen, as an educator, to see prior students at work in their new Navy medicine careers.
“I am honored by the recognition from the Naval Medical Program. I am a psychologist, in part because I believe that each of us can contribute to positive change in the world, and in the individual lives of those people with whom we come in contact,” Nestingen said. “As a psychologist and an educator, I am committed to the students finding their best way to make a positive contribution. I am delighted that the quality and caliber of our students and our doctoral psychology program are also recognized by the Naval Medical Program. Our students exemplify the Lasallian principle of together and by association as they bring their talent, passion, knowledge of the science of psychology to their service in the Navy. This recognition from the Navy demonstrates the quality of the Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program and the strength and skill of the faculty.
Psy.D. Program Director Ashley Sovereign, Psy.D., said, “Signe works so hard, so tirelessly, and I have never heard of a director of clinical training who does more to prepare students for internships than she does. I love that they see that and also that they’re happy with our students.”
Carroll-Glover named UPCEA board member
Andrea Carroll-Glover, vice provost of online strategy and programs at Saint Mary’s, is one of 13 new board members for the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the Washington, D.C.-based association for college and university leaders in professional, continuing, and online education. Elected earlier in November 2021, these individuals will assume their roles at the conclusion of the 2022 UPCEA Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla., on April 14, 2022.
“UPCEA’s mission is vitally important to the future of higher education,” said Bob Hansen, UPCEA CEO. “Whether it is leadership in online learning or the rise of alternative credentials, the field needs a Board that is nimble, visionary, and strategic. These new officers and directors bring those attributes to the work of building a truly consequential Board.”
Andrea Carroll-Glover
Carroll-Glover joins representatives from Georgia Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute to name but a few, and will serve on the board for a two-year term.
What is the value of having Saint Mary’s represented on this board?
With the university’s new Strategic Plan and goals for national prominence and regional dominance, representation on the UPCEA board is a great way to build Saint Mary’s national reputation and thought leadership in an important dimension of higher education — online and continuing professional education. Beyond thought leadership, board membership provides Saint Mary’s a national voice and a thought leadership opportunity to inform the future of online education across national institutions of higher education.
What are the key initiatives the board is focused on around the growing demand for online and professional education?
As part of the board, members are responsible for strategic planning and governance of the association. This includes monitoring association implementation and serving on committees. Board members serve to support the advancement of UPCEA priorities in the dimensions of enhancing quality standards, excellence, and best practices in online and continuing education and furthering public awareness about online and continuing education by bringing together a community of close to 10,000 practitioners to provide opportunities for collaboration and to learn from one another. This helps colleagues within the UPCEA community grow and improve their online and continuing and professional education practice; support scholarship and research through professional publication and data collection, research, and insights across management discipline areas; and build awareness and connection with industry-leading partners to foster innovation and to support online and continuing professional education units.
Can you talk about the strategic initiative you are leading for Saint Mary’s; what are some milestones we reached already?
A few strategic initiatives and achievements over the past year include:
- One LMS – Moving from two LMS systems (to briefly three) to now one LMS that our students are loving = Canvas.
- Introducing 87 Digital Badges — Aiding in differentiation of our online programs across schools.
- High School Pathways — Introducing new high school partnerships and online learning modalities further extending access to high school students.
- Building brand and reputation — Sharing best practices in Saint Mary’s innovations by speaking nationally at UPCEA’s national and regional conferences, ACHE (American Council for Higher Education) and CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning).
The Global Online 6c initiative is one of the prioritized Strategic Initiatives for Saint Mary’s. Here a universitywide committee is made up of representatives from across the university and works together to advance Saint Mary’s online strategy by:
- Developing a revenue and funding model for an internal online education service model (internal OPM).
- Developing a comprehensive plan for advancing online operations.
- Evaluating and refining the infrastructure, organization, and online teaching and learning training to support faculty and students.
- Identifying avenues to optimize efficiencies with online partners.
- Defining strategies to incorporate our Lasallian Catholic mission and formation into online programs.
Kicking off in June of 2021, the Global Online 6c committee has made great progress in building a shared understanding of the current online learning ecosystem. The work has benchmarked nationwide best practices in partnership with UPCEA in teaching and learning while assessing our own internal needs to shape a re-imagined strategy for our Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Additionally, the committee has evaluated both marketing and admissions practices related to best practices in online support systems leveraging best practices from UPCEA. These are just a couple of great examples of how Saint Mary’s is drawing upon the UPCEA community to shape the future of global online across functional areas.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in this arena for Saint Mary’s?
With a decade of delivering online learning experiences, Saint Mary’s has grown and learned what is necessary to bring to life both high-quality online teaching and learning experiences, as well as the necessary support ecosystem that underpins the complexities in serving online students. Through the Global Online 6c strategic initiative, Saint Mary’s has clearly seen one of the biggest challenges is creating a shared understanding of the many facets of the online learning support ecosystem and the importance of building key capabilities and capacities that cut across traditional higher education silos to support long-term scalable growth. By building a deep understanding of the needs of online learners and thinking differently about support models and structure, Saint Mary’s continues to advance global online systems and processes that serve an online student’s unique needs.
What is one goal you have to advance online learning at Saint Mary’s in the next year?
Building upon what we have learned early in our Global Online 6c initiative, I look forward to advancing the initial strategies outlined in the re-imagined CELT and investing in Saint Mary’s capabilities and capacity-building recommendations tied to the marketing and admissions findings and recommendations. By making thoughtful investments across the multiple functional areas necessary to support a holistic online ecosystem, Saint Mary’s will continue to make strides in strengthening and scaling our global online systems.
Representatives from Saint Mary’s will make two presentations at the annual conference that coincide with the first board meeting? What are they about?
Digital Badges — “So Much More Than A Transcript: The Power and Potential of Digital Badges for Career Self-Advocacy,” has been accepted as a “Network Meeting Spotlight” session for the UPCEA 2022 Annual Conference, hosted April 11-14, in Orlando, Fla. This builds off of our continued work in digital badging.
Equity and Inclusion — “Inclusion and Human Dignity – Creating inclusive and supportive learning environments,” has been accepted as a poster session for the UPCEA 2022 SOLA+R and Annual Conferences This builds off of our fall faculty development series offered through the CELT.
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