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Winona Campus Newsletter
Where no social work researcher has gone before
Like many of her colleagues at Saint Mary’s University, Mallory Knipe, DSW, has presented research at multiple academic conferences during her career in higher education. However, Dr. Knipe, chair of the social work programs at Saint Mary’s, is likely the first from the university to present research at a “Stark Trek” convention.
Throughout the pandemic, Knipe conducted research that looked at the interactions of people participating in the digital community Sid City Social Club. The online community was created by “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)” actor Alexander Siddig and production designer and moderator Melissa Lowery to help support fans who were experiencing isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Knipe wouldn’t refer to herself as a “Trekkie” but says she has a deep appreciation for the beloved science fiction series. Knipe’s connection to the show comes from her late father, who she says wouldn’t have shied away from deeming himself a Trekkie.
“I used to go stay with him for the summers, and that was kind of our thing, staying up to watch Star Trek together almost every night,” she said.
After her father passed away, feeling nostalgic, Knipe began watching “Star Trek: The Generation and Star Trek: DS9.” One night she Googled the actors from the series to see where their careers took them after leaving the sets of the Enterprise and the space station Deep Space Nine. She learned that Siddig had created Sid City Social Club, a social club that met twice a week on Zoom. During these meetings, participants had the unique opportunity to chat with Siddig.
Knipe found her way into the group’s Zoom room and was excited to meet the actor. At the time, she was unsure whether or not she would keep up with the meetings. That changed very quickly.
“So as soon as I joined Sid City, it was really clear that this was a very special community, and a very helpful community and meaningful community to so many people,” she said.
During one of her early visits to the community, Knipe met a friend of Siddig who does fandom research. The two connected, and Knipe asked if she planned to study the interactions in Sid City Social Club. While the fandom researcher had too much on her plate, she encouraged Knipe to undertake a study of the community. After having her research proposal approved by Siddig and the Saint Mary’s Internal Review Board, Knipe went about her mission of going where no social work researcher has gone before.
She spoke to 25 different people from seven different countries to find out what this digital community meant to them during a global crisis, and also frequently a time of isolation and anxiety. One of the biggest things Knipe found was that it provided Siddig’s fans with some form of stability throughout the week.
“During the pandemic, people who were let go from their jobs all of the sudden or were working from home felt kind of like being lost in space,” Knipe said. “People cited the group as something that provided stability during a time of change.”
With a desire to increase stability, the group grew beyond its regular meetings, adding trivia challenges on the weekend and social media groups where people could have extended discussions. It was here where Knipe saw members of the community reaching out to support each other. She found that Sid City Social Club also offered an outlet for socialization during a time when most felt disconnected from others.
“If people were struggling with their mental health or had a family member who was sick, they would say things like, ‘The people of Sid City were incredibly supportive of me, and I don’t know what I would do without this community,’” Knipe said.
After concluding her research, Knipe skipped presenting her findings at an academic conference and instead traveled to Destination Star Trek, a “Star Trek” convention that is held in London. Knipe presented the research on a panel that included “Star Trek: DS9” actors Nana Visitor and Andrew Robinson, and Rob Moriarity, a member of Sid City Social Club. Siddig was also included in a pre-recorded message. For Knipe, the most validating part of the convention was having her work affirmed by others on the panel.
“During the panel, Andy turned to me and said, ‘What you’re doing is so important and meaningful,” Knipe said. “And to have that coming from a ‘Star Trek’ actor was so impactful.”
During her research, Knipe had to distance herself from authentic participation in the activities of Sid City Social Club. However, while doing the research, Knipe she experienced many of the same benefits other participants in the community had found. Now that the research is done, Knipe is looking forward to returning to Sid City Social Club solely as a participant.
“This was my first experience with a fandom, and when I initially started, my intention was to be an outside researcher looking in,” she said. “I really became sucked into the community and loved my participation in this community.”
Knipe recently discussed her research on Saint Mary’s Currents, the university’s new podcast. These podcasts showcase the wide array of expertise at Saint Mary’s University. By weighing in on important and timely topics, we are enhancing our reputation to potential students, benefactors, and community partners. If you have an idea we should discuss, please contact Rodgers at brodgers@smumn.edu. You can listen to the conversation in the audio player below:
Knipe discusses ‘Star Trek,’ social work research on Saint Mary’s Currents podcast
Like many of her colleagues at Saint Mary’s University, Mallory Knipe, DSW, has presented research at multiple academic conferences during her career in higher education. However, Knipe, chair of the social work programs at Saint Mary’s, is likely the first from the university to present research at a “Star Trek” convention. Over the course of the pandemic, Knipe conducted research that looked at the interactions of people participating in the digital community Sid City Social Club. The online community was created by “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)” actor Alexander Siddig to help support fans who were experiencing isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the most recent episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, Knipe joins podcast host Ben Rodgers to discuss her research and what it was like to present it at Destination Star Trek in London.
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.
MCA to hold auditions for Main reACTion Improv Troupe
Ready to take your improv skills to the next level? If so, Main reACTion is for you! The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is seeking creative quick-thinkers (ages 8 to 18) to join the Main reACTion Improv Troupe for the remainder of the 2021–2022 school year. Main reACTion’s troupe rehearses monthly and performs at one to two locations/events per school semester.
During auditions, actors and actresses can expect to participate in a variety of improv games. Those auditioning should also bring a calendar with any vacation, known school year activities, or end-of-summer activities on it to note conflicts on the audition form. Troupe members will be selected based on their ability to think on their feet, stage presence, ability to work with others, and variety of ideas. There is no fee to audition, but troupe members will be asked to pay $60 to participate from January to May 2022, which covers all instruction for monthly rehearsals and a t-shirt.
Main ReACTion was established in June 2019 as an activity that was part of Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Winona Main Street, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, and Springboard for the Arts with support from the Bush Foundation. Thanks to interest and success, the troupe will continue to provide a creative outlet to area youth and entertain community members of all ages. Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will follow MCA’s COVID-19 Code of Conduct. If you have questions, email mca@smumn.edu or call 507-453-5500.
Auditions: Sunday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Academy Theatre at MCA’s home, the Valencia Arts Center (1164 W. 10th St., Winona, MN).
Age: 8 to 18 years old
Cost: $60
Sign up to audition HERE.
Lysne, Haugen discuss teacher burnout on Saint Mary’s Currents
In recent years, the topic of teacher burnout has been a concern among educators. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, new stresses are being heaped on educators, leading to faster burnout and shortages in community schools. In this episode, Tracy Lysne and Sarah Haugen, program directors for the M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning program, join Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers to discuss what led to teacher burnout prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, how the pandemic has made the issue worse, and how to alleviate some of these concerns.
If you enjoy the show and the topics discussed, please be sure to subscribe to Saint Mary’s Currents wherever else you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to previous episodes by visiting the Saint Mary’s Newsroom.
Christmas Greetings
All of us at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota wish you and those you love a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year filled with good health and abundant blessings.
Employee awards recognize staff dedication to Saint Mary’s
Honored Dec. 8 on the Winona Campus were:
Barb Schmidtknecht, administrative assistant to the provost and dean of faculties
Adjectives used to describe Barb Schmidtknecht include quick, concise, organized, and helpful. After working more than 35 years for the university, she has vast experience and a wealth of institutional knowledge that contributes greatly to the effective and efficient operation of her area. Most recently, she’s worked diligently to address and anticipate needs in academic affairs, specifically related to the pandemic. Moreover, she has continued to demonstrate her signature good cheer and a positive attitude during what has been a stressful time. She also has contributed willingly to the launch of Saint Mary’s nursing program by supporting our efforts to hire administrative staff for that area.
Winona Campus maintenance team
This past summer, the maintenance team put in long hours and worked hard to set up the newly renovated Aquinas Hall classrooms and workspaces on the Winona Campus. The project required preparing the 50,000-square-feet facility for use by faculty, staff and students — and included the single largest simultaneous move of faculty and staff offices in the history of the university (including seven departments and 53 faculty and staff members). While moving furniture, photographs, bulletin boards, and whiteboards — as well as testing the HVAC system and doing landscaping, they were ever pleasant, upbeat, and helpful, setting a superb example of working together and by association. Accepting this award was Lisa Jonsgaard, custodial supervisor; Judd Botcher, building maintenance supervisor; and Les McElmury, head of skilled trades.
Val Upsher, curriculum and assessment coordinator
Val Upsher has been serving and supporting Saint Mary’s faculty and students for nearly 25 years. In her current role, she organizes and oversees a number of critical processes to assist faculty with submitting curriculum and assessment. She also oversees the vast and unwieldy process of editing the course catalog every year. Credited with being the first to volunteer for projects related to annual reporting, she takes on University Program Planning organization, facilitating LifeCycle redesign. Completely organized, never flustered, and never frustrated, Upsher brings a gentle calmness to whatever she does. In her quiet and unassuming way, she has navigated the scope and complexity of change at Saint Mary’s over her 25 years and has helped faculty and staff by remaining patient, caring, and steadfast.
Erika Kim, assistant director of financial aid
Erika Kim is a vital part of the SGPP campus who has played a number of positions: program coordinator, a senior student services specialist learning the basics of international student advising, and now assistant director of financial aid. Her performance in all these roles is characterized by going above and beyond to serve students, consistently providing thorough and accurate responses in a timely manner. Regardless of how stressful a situation becomes or the volume of work in front of her, she is always kind, calm, and compassionate with students, taking the time to get to know them and their stories. A team player, she checks in regularly with her colleagues to be of service, and always has a kind word for those around her.
Students, faculty, and staff are all beneficiaries of Abram Hedtke’s dedication and commitment to serving those directly involved in teaching and learning. Hedtke has guided the university from multiple learning management systems to a single LMS, Canvas. Then, he developed training for two different faculty bodies to advance uniquely different teaching and learning approaches for both using Canvas. He also created an orientation course so students could guide themselves through the transition to Canvas. And, he lent his expertise to help pilot closed captioning for Access Services, provided tech support for the Fall Faculty Conference and the CELT website, as well as created an online professional development series focused on inclusion and human dignity. During a period of workforce restructuring, he also willingly and successfully took on additional direct reports on other campuses and a more visible leadership role.
Saint Mary’s spotlight on Kerri Carlson Anderson
The Marketing and Communication Office will be profiling Saint Mary’s University leaders regularly in the Cardinal Update. Our goal is to showcase those overseeing and guiding key areas important to our strategic initiatives. This week, we feature Kerri Carlson Anderson, director of Career Services.
Kerri Carlson Anderson, director of Career Services
Name: Kerri Carlson Anderson
Title: Director of Career Services
How long have you worked at Saint Mary’s?
I have been at Saint Mary’s just shy of three months.
How would you describe your role at Saint Mary’s?
I work to promote the recruitment, retention, and graduation of our students through career development, career readiness, and career search strategies. Whether it is an incoming student trying to determine their major, a graduate student, or even an alumnus/na who is already established in their career, it is meeting them where they are at and helping to connect them with the resources, network, tools, and support to achieve their career goals.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy being able to connect with the greater community to learn about the needs of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers and building out the future of career services at Saint Mary’s. To be able to lead the effort to build a strong Career Services program for our university is truly an honor that I don’t take lightly.
As director of Career Services, how do you hope to expand the services of the office to both campuses?
I am hoping we are able to find grant opportunities that the university might apply for along with donors who understand the importance of Career Services and want to contribute to our work so that we can add to our staff and more fully serve the majority of our students. In the short term, I am working with the associate director and our half-time administrative assistant to find ways to maximize the resources we do have. We will be rolling out a communication plan at the start of spring semester to show the ways we are here to help. I am also exploring ways we may partner with the counseling program to have practicum students in our office as well as tap into our talented Saint Mary’s alumni.
How do your role and the office you oversee help meet Saint Mary’s vision of developing “ethically-guided graduates leading in their communities and succeeding in their careers.”
Throughout college, students need to learn how to document and integrate what they are learning in the classroom, experiential learning, and involvement into the world of work. We are here to help students identify how they want to use their Saint Mary’s education and help them package it in a way to sell their experience and demonstrate to employers, graduate schools, etc., why a Saint Mary’s graduate is the best person for the opportunity.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
As a first-generation college student, I struggled as an undergraduate, and if you asked me or those who knew me during college, I was the last person you would have thought would go on to graduate school. However, I have learned to pay attention to the nudges. I fell in love with working in higher education and, to progress in my career, I needed to complete my master’s degree. I had wonderful mentors and supervisors who saw my potential, encouraged me, and provided the support and flexibility I needed to successfully complete my master’s program while working full-time and commuting three hours each week for two and a half years to do it. Of that same group of people who knew me in college, I was the first one to complete a master’s degree.
Looking at the “Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission,” which of the 12 declarations resonates with you the most? Why?
The declaration that resonates the most with me is No. 11, “We believe that today’s realities demand taking risks and being creative.” Part of what drew me to Saint Mary’s was the energy I felt and the commitment to respond to the changing needs in our world right now. If we intend to remain relevant and serve the needs of our students and the greater world, we have to change. Higher education is an investment, and students who are making the decision to invest their precious time and resources into their college careers need to see that we are preparing them to meet the needs of the time. While this change sometimes brings about endings and can be hard, it also allows for new growth and opportunities. In my career, I have often come into institutions at this point of key change, and I appreciated the challenge to work as part of the team to transform the work being done and see the results.
Philanthropic gifts fuel our work, advance our strategic plan
This past fiscal year, through the generosity of our alumni and friends, as well as the hard work of the Advancement team under the leadership of Gary Klein, we have received a number of inspirational and sizable gifts.
These gifts help the university advance its strategic plan and serve our students in the best way possible. As a university, we are grateful to those who so selflessly support this university because they support our mission, they had a wonderful experience and want to see others have that same experience, they believe in our work, and they understand we are a sound investment.
Here are just a few of their stories:
- Bob Skemp ’49, a lifelong generous supporter, was inspired by a story in our alumni magazine about his classmate Robert Stiever ’49 and his wife Lucille Stiever, who left a $5 million estate gift to Saint Mary’s. Also wishing to leave a lasting legacy behind at Saint Mary’s, Mr. Skemp confirmed a $1 million estate gift toward scholarships and started an annual scholarship this fall.
- Jack and Mary Ann (Wera) Remick CST’64 — who helped found the First Generation Initiative — recently made a $3.5 million five-year pledge toward scholarships for this transformational program.
- We’ve recently also received over $1 million in motivational commitments toward the completion of Aquinas Hall, bringing the total raised thus far to nearly $8.5 million. We are extremely thankful for the generosity that continues to support this project.
- Nancy Wiltgen ’75, former major and planned gifts officer in our Advancement Office, has pledged $150,000 in her estate gift for scholarships, the Saint Mary’s Fund, First-Generation Initiative, and the Education Department. As an alumna, Wiltgen was one of our pioneering first women, and in her previous position, she helped secure numerous planned gifts to support Saint Mary’s. She continues to lead by example through this thoughtful planned gift.
- Walter Riebenack has given $100,000 to the M.A. Philanthropy & Development (P&D) program, which is being relaunched with the first cohort in 2023. The program is particularly meaningful to Walter as his daughter Kristen A. Riebenack graduated from this program in 1997 and worked in the field of Philanthropy for 16 years as a development director at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind. Kristen lost her battle with cancer in 2013. Walter and his late wife Mary Ann established two endowed scholarships to support students in the P&D program.
- A family that wishes to remain anonymous has gifted the university $1 million for men’s and women’s hockey. Their gift has been transformational to the program in making rink improvements, as well as acquiring new apparel and equipment.
Elected to national leadership position, graduate student is a strong advocate for social justice
Quincy Guinadi, an international student and fourth-year counseling psychology doctoral (Psy.D.) student at Saint Mary’s Minneapolis campus, formed her worldview during her first year in the program. She was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, moved to Singapore at age 5, and came to the U.S. in 2012 to begin her undergraduate studies in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
“Saint Mary’s Psy.D program was a huge change from the U. It’s a small program, very open and welcoming, and I .made lots of friends,” Guinadi says. “I also benefited by learning from strong, multicultural feminists who formed my foundational worldview – how to be human in this world – and to really understand and see things through the lens of social justice.”
Quincy Guinadi
Her social justice journey recently took an important turn as Guinadi was elected 2022 chair-elect of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS), which serves as the main body and voice for Psy.D. students nationwide. During her three-year term, when she will serve as chair-elect, chair and past-chair, Guinadi plans to be a force in advocating about student loan debt; finances/financial support, scholarships and grants; and equity in graduate training programs.
Taking a leadership role within prestigious organizations in her field is nothing new for Guinadi. She’s been a leader in Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program and active in the Minnesota Psychological Association’s Student Division where she served as co-chair as a first-year Psy.D. student.
“A friend told me about Saint Mary’s Psy.D. program. I wanted a clinical, rather than a research emphasis, and I’m training to be a clinician at Saint Mary’s,” says Guinadi. “The early entry option, clinical focus, and the ability to graduate in six, rather than seven years, were huge motivators. Saint Mary’s faculty and my classmates have been influential in my growth as a clinician and leader, and they’ve been supportive since day one.”
As chair-elect, Guinadi will provide oversight for several APAGS task forces and committees, and be a liaison for other committees. She’ll also participate in legislative activities, meeting with U.S. Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the psychology profession.
Guinadi is excited (and admittedly a bit terrified by the huge responsibility) about the opportunity to bring her voice and advocacy to the national level, and connect with top influential leaders in psychology. She also plans to advocate for equity in graduate training programs.
“Due to COVID, there’s been a drop in the number of internships offered nationwide. Having an internship is a requirement for graduation, typically after completing all coursework,” Guinadi says. “If internships aren’t available, Psy.D. students lose a year and delay their profession (getting licensed) and income. They’d also have to pay internship application fees again the following year – a massive additional financial burden.”
Guinadi hopes to use her APAGS experience to develop her skills as a social justice advocate and ethical leader, meet other leaders, and exchange ideas for personal and professional growth. She also hopes to use her voice to uplift and advocate for others.
Her career goals are to be a good human and a psychologist who’s well informed, ethical, and engaged in evidence-based work, assisting and empowering clients to stand in their dignity as they explore their personal growth journey toward healing.
“Quincy is totally awesome, the type of student we hope to recruit and retain to become a counseling psychologist. To have a Saint Mary’s student in a national leadership role is an honor for our program,” program director and professor Ashley Sovereign says. “Our goal is to develop graduates who are committed to social justice, and Quincy truly represents the aims of our program. Quincy’s going to do such a good job. She’s just amazing.”
Employee awards recognize staff dedication to Saint Mary’s
Employees on both the Winona and Twin Cities campuses were recognized recently for their contributions and dedication to the university. These staff members are living our mission in their day-to-day work and setting examples of strong character for all those who work alongside them and for our students.
Honored Dec. 8 on the Winona Campus were:
Barb Schmidtknecht, administrative assistant to the provost and dean of faculties
Adjectives used to describe Barb Schmidtknecht include quick, concise, organized, and helpful. After working more than 35 years for the university, she has vast experience and a wealth of institutional knowledge that contributes greatly to the effective and efficient operation of her area. Most recently, she’s worked diligently to address and anticipate needs in academic affairs, specifically related to the pandemic. Moreover, she has continued to demonstrate her signature good cheer and a positive attitude during what has been a stressful time. She also has contributed willingly to the launch of Saint Mary’s nursing program by supporting our efforts to hire administrative staff for that area.
Winona Campus maintenance team
This past summer, the maintenance team put in long hours and worked hard to set up the newly renovated Aquinas Hall classrooms and workspaces on the Winona Campus. The project required preparing the 50,000-square-feet facility for use by faculty, staff and students — and included the single largest simultaneous move of faculty and staff offices in the history of the university (including seven departments and 53 faculty and staff members). While moving furniture, photographs, bulletin boards, and whiteboards — as well as testing the HVAC system and doing landscaping, they were ever pleasant, upbeat, and helpful, setting a superb example of working together and by association. Accepting this award was Lisa Jonsgaard, custodial supervisor; Judd Botcher, building maintenance supervisor; and Les McElmury, head of skilled trades.
Honored Dec. 14 on the Twin Cities Campus were:
Val Upsher, curriculum and assessment coordinator
Val Upsher has been serving and supporting Saint Mary’s faculty and students for nearly 25 years. In her current role, she organizes and oversees a number of critical processes to assist faculty with submitting curriculum and assessment. She also oversees the vast and unwieldy process of editing the course catalog every year. Credited with being the first to volunteer for projects related to annual reporting, she takes on University Program Planning organization, facilitating LifeCycle redesign. Completely organized, never flustered, and never frustrated, Upsher brings a gentle calmness to whatever she does. In her quiet and unassuming way, she has navigated the scope and complexity of change at Saint Mary’s over her 25 years and has helped faculty and staff by remaining patient, caring, and steadfast.
Erika Kim, assistant director of financial aid
Erika Kim is a vital part of the SGPP campus who has played a number of positions: program coordinator, a senior student services specialist learning the basics of international student advising, and now assistant director of financial aid. Her performance in all these roles is characterized by going above and beyond to serve students, consistently providing thorough and accurate responses in a timely manner. Regardless of how stressful a situation becomes or the volume of work in front of her, she is always kind, calm, and compassionate with students, taking the time to get to know them and their stories. A team player, she checks in regularly with her colleagues to be of service, and always has a kind word for those around her.
Abram Hedtke, director of Instructional Technology
Students, faculty, and staff are all beneficiaries of Abram Hedtke’s dedication and commitment to serving those directly involved in teaching and learning. Hedtke has guided the university from multiple learning management systems to a single LMS, Canvas. Then, he developed training for two different faculty bodies to advance uniquely different teaching and learning approaches for both using Canvas. He also created an orientation course so students could guide themselves through the transition to Canvas. And, he lent his expertise to help pilot closed captioning for Access Services, provided tech support for the Fall Faculty Conference and the CELT website, as well as created an online professional development series focused on inclusion and human dignity. During a period of workforce restructuring, he also willingly and successfully took on additional direct reports on other campuses and a more visible leadership role.
Wieser discusses recent research on Saint Mary’s Currents podcast
Over the last few months, research by Michelle Wieser, Ph.D., dean of Saint Mary’s University’s School of Business and Technology, has been making headlines in national and international press. The research findings reveal inequities in the experience and outcomes of female and minority MBA students and graduates at top-tier business schools. Wieser’s research looked at an array of topics, including diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in MBA programs and the gender pay gap for MBA graduates. Dean Wieser joined Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers to discuss the research and how it can be used to address the inequities it found.
If you enjoy the show and the topics discussed, please be sure to subscribe to Saint Mary’s Currents on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to previous episodes by visiting the Saint Mary’s Newsroom.
Saint Mary’s University welcomes community to its Winter Weekend musical performances
With the holidays right around the corner, Saint Mary’s University would like to welcome the greater community to its Winter Weekend events. Planned for Dec. 10 through Dec. 12, students, staff, faculty, and visitors will have the opportunity to hear Christmas classics from the university’s jazz bands, choirs, and concert band during three unique events.
There is no admission cost for these three events, however, registration is required. Those planning to attend can register at Saint Mary’s Winter Weekend website.
Information for each event can be found below:
Jazz at Saint Mary’s presents ‘Holiday Hits’ – Dec. 10
The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo 1 will present “Holiday Hits” on Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre on the Winona Campus. The concert will feature festive jazz favorites selected by the student musicians from performances over the past 10 years. This in-person performance will offer limited seating, but the concert will also be livestreamed.
‘Lessons and Carols’ Christmas service – Dec. 11
The Saint Mary’s University Department of Music will present “Lessons and Carols” on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels in Winona, Minn. The performance will feature the Saint Mary’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Schola and will reflect on the Christmas story through short readings, hymns, and familiar Christmas carols sung by the choirs and audience. Seating for this in-person performance will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Saint Mary’s Concert Band presents ‘Celebrate Christmas’ – Dec. 12
The Saint Mary’s Concert Band will present “Celebrate Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. in Page Theatre on the Winona Campus. The concert, which will feature holiday favorites from around the world, will include many smaller ensembles from within the band as well as full concert band selections. Seating for this in-person performance will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, but overflow seating will be available in the Recital Hall, and the concert will also be livestreamed.
‘Giving keeps the spirit going’
Giving time and financial support are common ways people give back to their alma maters. Saint Mary’s graduate Veronica Hiza M’15, M’17 does just that by serving as a member of the school’s alumni board.
But she gives back in another way as well.
The double master’s graduate is a cheerleader for the college and goes out of her way to spread the message of her experience at Saint Mary’s. And that has paid off.
Hiza has seen her husband and son, David Hiza Sr. ’16, M’17 and David Hiza Jr. ’17, M’21, graduate with master’s degrees from Saint Mary’s. Her daughter, Natalia Hiza, is currently pursuing an M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics.
And the list of family members who have attended Saint Mary’s doesn’t end there.
“I can probably name eight to 10 other family members,” Hiza chuckled. “It’s because I talk about Saint Mary’s, I like to advertise it. I’m pro-education as much as I can be.”
Before choosing Saint Mary’s for two master’s degrees, Hiza had been working full time in project management for the state of Minnesota. Knowing she needed to take the next step in her career, Hiza decided to take the Project Management Professional certification exam. Having known multiple people who had to take the exam more than once, Hiza decided going back to school would be one of the best ways to prepare.
After receiving her M.S. in Project Management, she felt the call to continue learning, so she enrolled once again at Saint Mary’s in the M.S. in Information Technology Management program.
Hiza says the most beneficial part of attending Saint Mary’s was learning from professionals who work in the same field as her.
“It was like being taught by a colleague,” Hiza said. “It just made it so conversational. It was always a nice opportunity to discuss real-life things and things that were happening in my job.”
After earning two graduate degrees from Saint Mary’s, she has seen the payoff: her ability to learn concepts that were included in the Project Management Professional certification process helped her through the exam. She’s also seen the real-world concepts taught in the classroom aid her in her job with Minnesota IT Services.
Not long after graduating, she was contacted about serving on the alumni board. Hiza was torn at the time because she had also been asked to serve on the alumni board of her undergraduate alma mater, the College of Saint Benedict. Ultimately, she felt her time would be better served at Saint Mary’s.
Hiza says there are many things that helped inform her decision, one of the biggest being the different perspective she’s able to bring to the table at alumni board meetings.
With a key focus on engaging with graduate students and getting them to give back to Saint Mary’s, Hiza says she’s able to share the experience of students at the Twin Cities Campus with the alumni board. A native of Tanzania, she says she is also able to bring the perspective of an international student from her experience as an undergraduate.
“I think I’ve been a voice for both perspectives,” she said.
Serving on the alumni board has also given Hiza a better understanding of the decisions made by the university.
“There are a lot of conversations people don’t think about,” she said. “For instance, how much of a struggle it is to raise funding to build a science center. If you’re not close to it, you’re not going to know.”
What drives Hiza to give her time, as well as financial contributions, to Saint Mary’s comes down to one simple belief: “Giving keeps the spirit going. That way, someone can benefit in the same way you did.”
Hiza has done her best to use her position with the alumni board to strengthen the university and support its students. This includes the opportunity to mentor two of Saint Mary’s First Generation Initiative students as they entered graduate school.
“I really enjoyed helping in that way because I do that for my kids: teach them what to do in this life after school,” she said. “So, I like to do that to other students who have graduated from Saint Mary’s or are currently going to Saint Mary’s.”
Another highlight for Hiza while serving on the board was the chance to address graduates during a commencement ceremony at the university’s Twin Cities Campus.
“It was very fulfilling just to see the excitement in their faces and to be on the other side watching that,” she said.
During her speech, Hiza urged the graduates to remain active with the university, even after receiving a degree. And it’s something she encourages all graduates to do.
“The more engaged we are in giving back to our school, the healthier and richer the school gets in teaching and thinking outside of the box. And Saint Mary’s has always been very good about thinking outside of the box,” she said.
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