Professor Pop-Up: History & Legal Studies
Dr. Juandrea Bates from History & Legal Studies created a class about how age has shaped children’s perspectives throughout history. That class also inspired her to pursue and publish award-winning research about Argentine youth.
Professor Pop-Up: Leadership Education
Dr. Steven Baule from Leadership Education helped identify a growing need for special education directors in K-12 schools around the nation—and created a new program at WSU to meet this demand head-on.
WSU Supports the Minnesota Chief Engineers Guild Professionals with Safety & Leadership Strategies
WSU helped equip the MNCEG professionals with safety and leadership strategies to improve and advance their teams and operations.
WSU Grads Achieve Their Goals & Make a Difference in Others’ Lives
As Spring 2022 Commencement approaches, learn more about a few of this semester’s graduates and their Warrior journeys.
Engineering His Future to Space & Beyond
WSU graduate Stephen Shaw has been curious about how things work since he was a kid. And now with his degree, he has the skills and freedom to build his own career and grow within it.
Worldwide Impact Brought Close to Home
Our students chase their dreams while earning their degrees. Like Kendra Nusbaum, who not only has a passion for eliminating language barriers in health care, but also is making a difference locally and globally.
Creating a Community-Wide Impact
WSU is all about improving the world, and graduate Jessica Anderson is living the Warrior Life as a student who’s eager to help others by volunteering in the community and getting involved on campus.
Stretching into the Role of Business Owner
Soon-to-be WSU alum Cheryl Ferrill returned to college after 40 years to not only switch career paths and earn her degree, but also to chase her passion and open her very own yoga studio in honor of her late mother.
Perseverance & Grit through Classes & Motherhood
To be a Warrior means to persevere no matter what life throws your way. Like graduate Zeinab Mohamed, who balanced being a mother and a Nursing student at WSU thanks to the support of her professors.
Carrying the Torch through Teaching
After working as a social studies teacher for a decade, WSU alum Tommy Sawyer returned to earn his master’s degree and create positive learning environments for his students—just like his teachers had done for him.
From Classroom to Legal Experience
The Legal Studies Department gave 15 Winona State University students the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life by helping prevent certain legal cases from being an obstacle to employment and housing. Dr. Gregory Richard, an Associate Professor of...
Learn Programming for Non-Programmers at WSU
Most of us use computers every day, but are you ready to move beyond simply being a user of someone else’s program? Software development, the process of creative problem-solving using computers, is something that can be useful in all professions and job roles – even...
Let’s Make WSU a More Equitable Campus
Striving to create a more welcoming, equitable, and educational experience for our campus is a big deal for Winona State University. Through campus culture, support services, and academic curriculum, our goal is to provide an environment where diverse backgrounds and...
WSU Celebrates Alumni in Healthcare
At Winona State University, we pride ourselves in offering programs that help alumni follow their passions, climb the ladder in their careers, return to a field or come in from a different one, and serve highly in-demand areas. January is Health Care Month in...
Looking Forward to Protecting Water Resources
Mary Larson’s passion for science and the outdoors started when she was young. “I really wanted to be a horticulturalist, but I didn’t really know what that was,” Larson said. “I had a little microscope that I kept putting stuff under, like plants.” That passion...
A Childhood Dream Come True
As a kid growing up, Alex Tracy wanted to be a teacher. When he was six years old, he would come home from school and teach his homework to his stuffed animals, family members, or to no one at all. That dream never changed. The Fall 2021 Winona State University...
Speaking Up to Create Change
Politics wasn’t a career field that Ahmitara Alwal envisioned her skills to be used. She was never a fan due to the nature of politics being “messy.” Instead, she imagined using her voice and skills to lead and advocate for others in a different way. But the Winona...
Professor Pop-Up: Composite Materials Engineering
If you want to make things, break things, and figure out how to improve them, you could turn that drive into a career as a composites engineer. I became a professor of Composite Materials Engineering because it’s still a relatively new field and there are so many...
WSU Supports Youth Development Professionals
Throughout the pandemic, personal and professional challenges have left many feeling depleted and stuck in the middle, with a lack of clarity on how to fuel forward. This has been especially true for non-profit teams committed to serving the common good and...
Professor Pop-Up: Criminal Justice
If you like understanding how the law intersects with real life, you could foster that interest into a career as a law enforcement or corrections officer or any of the many personnel in the Criminal Justice system. After being a prosecuting attorney for 11 years, I...
Crossing the Finish Line Toward a Bright Future
For Michael (Mike) Desch, the finish line sometimes felt far away. Throughout his college career, which began in 2013, Desch struggled with his mental health, which didn’t make the college experience easy. At times he failed classes and once took a...
Determined to Make Every Moment Count
As a high school senior, the idea of college seemed farfetched to first generation student Diana Tapia Alvarado. Tapia Alvarado’s mom was a hard-working single parent working low-income jobs who dedicated every waking moment to paying bills and being a good mother....
Impacting Local Water Quality with GIS Research
Only a semester into college, Megan Otten’s talent in geoscience became strikingly obvious. “She was nearly perfect in all of her exams and quizzes,” Geoscience Associate Professor Dylan Blumentritt said. “A student doesn’t typically earn the scores she was earning...
Using Experience to Inspire
Jose “Junior” Valtierra-Rangel’s parents immigrated from Mexico to St. Charles, Minnesota in hopes of one day giving their children the opportunity to live a better life. They succeeded. Valtierra-Rangel, who was born and raised in St. Charles, had a childhood of...
Turning Grief into Determination
For most new college students, Move-In Day is full of excitement, exhilaration and the promise of new fulfilling adventures. For 2021 Winona State University graduate Kaylee Bayer, that was not the case. Leading up to the big day, Bayer's excitement at starting her...
Through Resolve & Support, Zijie Liu Excelled
There’s one last thing Zijie Liu needs to do before her final day at Winona State University: The only thing I want to do before I graduate is to go to the cafeteria and have one last omelet! But there were a lot of people at WSU giving Liu a hand and...
Professor Pop-Up: Biochemistry
If you enjoy studying how everything around us is connected and how living things run, you could harness those passions into a career as a chemist. I think the most meaningful connections a student can make during their college career come from watching their...
Professor Pop-Up: Sociology
If you like to people-watch and understand individuals’ stories and roles in society, you could foster those interests into a career as a sociologist. I went to college thinking I’d become a high school math teacher, but an introductory sociology course instantly...
Professor Pop-Up: Athletic Training
Tunnel your passion for sports by studying Athletic Training at WSU. Hear from Dr. Brian Zeller as he gives you a glimpse into our technology, experiential learning, and 3+2 master’s program opportunities—and learn why he went into the field himself.
Home is Without Borders
My name is Kendra Nusbaum, and I am a junior from St. Cloud, Minnesota. I study nursing and Spanish with a minor in Child Advocacy Studies (CAST). This past spring, I studied abroad in Valparaíso, Chile with Academic Programs International (API) to finish my Spanish...
Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
Most who will read this, likely haven’t paid much attention as they walked by the Hackberry tree outside the R.A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center on WSU’s campus. It has stood in its place and served passers-by (both human and nature’s critters alike) as a silent...
Elevate Relevancy in Challenging Times
WSU ACE partners with Sandy Anderson, MS Organizational Consultant & Coach, to deliver customized, strength-based, solution-focused strategies for businesses of all sectors. In this month’s ACE in the Community, learn how leaders can leverage the middle mess to...
A Warrior-Style Last Day Celebration
Brand new Winona State University graduate Emily Robertson ’20 celebrated earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood this past Friday with not one, but two virtual celebrations. As she looked forward to the university’s first-ever...
WSU Student Teachers Finish Warrior Strong
For WSU Education majors, student teaching marks the final semester when pedagogy becomes practice and their career becomes real. Exhilarating and all-encompassing, the experience takes everything a college senior has and more. This spring, the COVID-19 pandemic added...
A Bridge to the Community
Bridges Health Winona, a WSU student-led, faculty-guided, interprofessional and free community wellness clinic that provides holistic healthcare to populations in need throughout the Winona area, is changing things up in the battle against COVID-19. At Bridges,...
Biology Outstanding Graduate: Shannon Moua
Why I chose Biology at WSU Because I am very curious, I thought that Biology was a great field to choose to understand Life and Mother Nature. Choosing this Major in Winona State University was a really good choice given from my parents after having my brother as a...
Biology Outstanding Graduate: John Hanke
Why I chose Biology at WSU Winona State University offered me an affordable and quality education within biology. From the laboratory spaces to the lecture halls, I was impressed with the layout of the facilities and the resources available to me as a student. The...
Biology Outstanding Graduate: Mallorie Lynn
Why I chose Biology at WSU I chose Biology at WSU because I wanted a degree that would allow me to pursue my dream of working with animals, but was also affordable and close to home. What I gained from my experience in the Biology Department I had many valuable and...
Biology Outstanding Graduate: Jared Holm
Major: Biology - Environmental Science Why I chose Biology at WSU I chose biology, more specifically environmental science, because of my fascination with life, nature, and the outdoors. What I gained from my experience in the Biology Department Like many students, I...
Experiencing the World, Making an Impact
2019 WSU graduate Sam Whitaker is realizing his dream of teaching outside of the US, leading a nomadic career, and seeing the world while doing something he enjoys, working with English language learners. After graduating with an English-Applied Linguistics...
With Strong Academic Programs Come Successful Alumni Careers
Winona State University offers nearly 100 degree programs that give students the knowledge and skills they need to enter a variety of professional fields from nursing, teaching, business management, scientific research, communications and so much more. But...
WSU in the News: Students Compete in NASA Space Apps Challenge
Winona State University students, faculty and community members joined together to inspire, create and design for NASA's Spaces Apps Challenge. The challenge is a 48 hour global collaboration event with WSU teams being the only participating location in Minnesota. One...
Academic Life: Excellence in Nursing
With a commitment to academic excellence, the Winona State University Department of Nursing continues to deliver committed, passionate and hardworking nurses for over 50 years. Citori Gowlland ‘21, a junior here at WSU has just started...
WSU Holds Grand Opening for Education Village Sept. 5
Winona State University will hold a Grand Opening for Education Village Thursday, Sept. 5, in the Atrium of Dr. Donna J. Helble Hall, 108 E Sanborn St. A formal program will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature comments from WSU President Scott R. Olson; MN...
New Engineering Scholarship Opportunity
A new scholarship has been established for Composite Materials Engineering undergraduate students at Winona State University (Winona, MN). This scholarship is awarded by the WSU Foundation. The scholarship is intended for new freshmen students with a minimum...
Navigating the Workplace Landscape
Winona State University Adult & Continuing Education (ACE) invited regional business professionals to participate in the Navigating the Workplace Landscape Cruise event aboard the WSU Cal Fremling floating classroom. Attendees gained valuable insights on workforce...
Substantive Solidarity from Winona to Madison
On April 1st, 2019, students from Dr. Mary Jo Klinker’s “Queer Theories and Politics” Class (WGSS 374) at Winona State University went to Madison, WI to meet and volunteer alongside the organization LGBT Books to Prisoners. This allowed them the opportunity to gain...
LGBT Books to Prisoners
LGBT Books to Prisoners is an organization based in Madison, WI that is run through volunteers and donations. They send free packages of books and educational materials to LGBTQ+ individuals across the United States that are incarcerated. With the mission to...
Take Back the Night 2019
A Night for Healing, Community, and Solidarity Take Back the Night (TBTN) has been a movement that brings to the forefront the prevalence of gender-based violence and creates a community for victims/survivors to feel supported. The movement began in the '70s to...
Spring Grove Area Businesses Gain Financial Insights
Winona State University Adult & Continuing Education (ACE) partnered with the Spring Grove Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide Effective Business Financial Management training for Spring Grove area businesses and entrepreneurs. This workshop offered...
Karen Sullivan ’19
Name: Karen Sullivan | Class of 2019 | Major: B.S. Early Childhood & Elementary Education/Sociology and MS Professional Leadership | Post Graduation Job: Interim Director of the WSU Children’s Center
Juan Manuel Rojas Cabrera ’19
Name: Juan Manuel Rojas Cabrera | Class of 2019 | Major: Nursing | Post Graduation Plans: Graduate Research Program in Neural Engineering Laboratory at Mayo Clinic | Selected as Outstanding Student for Nursing
Hallie Riedel ’19
Name: Hallie Riedel | Class of 2019 | Major: Community Health | Post Graduation Job: Programs and Communication for Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation
Regan Holm ’19
Name: Regan Holm | Class of 2019 | Major: History | Post Graduation Plans: Aspiring Educator
Christine Salentiny ’19
Name: Christine Salentiny | Class of 2019 | Major: Elementary Early Childhood Education | Post Graduation Job: Kindergarten Teacher at Round Lake
Gilbert Obiero ’19
Name: Gilbert Obiero | Class of 2019 | Major: Public Health – Epidemiology | Post Graduation Job: Community Health Worker at Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association…
David Moonen ’19
Name: David Moonen | Class of 2019 | Major: Commercial Recreation, Army ROTC | Post Graduation Job: CEO of Merrimack Canoe Company Escaping into the backwaters and bluffs every chance I got. I also have several professors that have proved to be…
Kimberly Lee ’19
Name: Kimberly Lee | Class of 2019 | Major: Mathematics Secondary Teaching | Post Graduation Job: Aspiring Math Teacher Being highly involved with the Inclusion & Diversity Office under the direction of Alexander Hines. It helped shaped my…
Brett Thomas Strub ’19
Name: Brett Thomas Strub | Class of 2019 | Major: Nursing | Post Graduation Plans: Aspiring Registered Nurse College is difficult but so is life. Be sure to take a moment to breathe and appreciate the things and people you have around you. The…
Rashini Punchihewa ’19
Name: Rashini Punchihewa | Class of 2019 | Major: Business Administration | Post Graduation Job: Entry Level Manager at DMC Marketing, Inc. in Chicago, IL Get involved and commit to the organizations. You’ll get out of it what you put into it….
Alexander Holm ’19
Name: Alexander Holm | Class of 2019 | Major: ACS Biochemistry | Post Graduation Plans: Apply to Dental School Here at Winona State, you get out what you put into it. If you work hard and put in the effort you will accomplish great things…
Julia Jones ’19
Name: Julia Jones | Class of 2019 | Major: Special Education: Developmental Disabilities and Academic and Behavioral Strategist | Post Graduation Job: Middle School Special Education Teacher I learned that my parents were 99.9% right about…
Lexie Adamsky ’19
Name: Lexie Adamsky | Class of 2019 | Major: Nursing | Post Graduation Job: Psychiatric Nurse at Mayo Clinic Get involved and commit to the organizations. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Reach out when you need help. People are here…
Study Abroad Director Receives Fulbright Grant
Susan Niedzwiecki-Pham, Director of Study Abroad at Winona State University, received a grant this spring through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program to attend the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar in India in March 2019. The two-week...
Erin Kloepping ’19
Name: Erin Kloepping | Class of 2019 | Major: Communication Studies | Post Graduation Job: Project Manager at Thirty Story Be faithful in the small things. I recently heard someone say, “It’s what you do every day that eventually shows.”…
Jordan Langness ’19
Name: Jordan Langness | Class of 2019 | Major: Composite Materials Engineering | Post Graduation Job: Associate Manufacturing Engineer at Northrop Grumman Have fun, but put in the work to succeed. Never be afraid to reach out, whether it’s to…
Bridging Partnerships between China and the West
In English Language Programs at Winona State University, a large Chinese scroll hangs proudly on the wall. Written in Chinese calligraphy by artist Linan Chen, the scroll reads, “True knowledge will bridge China and the West [學貫中西].” The scroll was gifted to the...
Partnering to Bring Expert Teachings on Wellness
Last month, Winona State University Adult & Continuing Education (ACE) joined Lotus Health Foundation and dozens of wellness experts and Lifestyle Symposium 2019 community partners for the 2019 Community of Wellness Symposium, a special event highlighting the...
Caleb Gernes ’19
Name: Caleb Gernes | Class of 2019 | Major: Marketing | Post Graduation Job: Sales in Savannah Georgia Get to know your professors. They are there to help you and are always welcoming to have a conversation with. They treat you much more like an…
Music Spotlight: Matt Liston
Major: Instrumental Music Education Year: 5thyear Senior Hometown: Blaine, MN What has been your favorite experience at WSU? Outside of music activities and other classes, taking advantage of the wonderful hiking trails and rivers/lakes. There are so many hiking...
Interview: WGSS Alum Eilleen Moeller
Name: Eilleen Moeller '10 Major: History and Theatre Major Women's & Gender Studies and Music Minor Current Role: Great River Shakespeare Festival Marketing & Sales Director City Councilperson for the City of Winona What is your favorite memory of your Winona...
Alberto Cairo – Visualization for Effective Communication
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics will be hosting Alberto Cairo as part of their Distinguished Speaker series, February 24-25, 2019. Cairo is the Knight Chair in Visual Journalism at the School of Communication of the University of Miami and author of...
Student Spotlight: Lauren Saner
Major: Music Liberal Arts and Psychology Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2019 Hometown: Rochester, MN What has been your favorite experience at WSU? My favorite experiences at Winona State have been in the music department (not surprisingly). I have loved getting to...
WSU Celebrates 23 Years As Best College Buy
Winona State University has been named among America's 100 Best College Buys for the 23rd consecutive year. The publication is an independent ranking of the value and quality of colleges and universities across the nation, conducted by Institutional Research and...
Broadening the definition of “Leader”
in a changing business climate: An aligned perspective The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Winona program supports leadership growth of professionals across multiple industries. This four-month training program is focused on developing leadership skills...
Creativity Leads to Student Donation
WSU Students Create Spanish Language Books for Local Elementary Students As part of their final semester project, students in Winona State University’s Intermediate Spanish courses have created children's books in Spanish to be donated to local elementary...
Exploring Chemistry Career Options
Eden Wilcox ’16 Eden Willcox, a 2016 ACS Biochemistry Graduate has had an interesting journey post graduation. From Fastenal to a position doing Laboratory QC/QA, working as a substitute teacher, to now becoming the Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator for the City of...
Six Differences of Note in London
There are many things we take for granted in the United States, not realizing how much we utilize or interact with these items in our daily lives until we travel to a new country…
London’s Underground Subways: Traversing the Tube and Taming the Twisting Trains
I was attempting to go to the Camden area, with the majority of our group, when my fear of missing a train all by my lonesome became a reality. The Tube gets packed with people. It gives that same kind of “oh,...
5 Things I’ve Noticed While in London
Smoking is Still Trendy Here First of all: cigarettes are verywhere. They litter the streets, collect in flower pots, and can be found between almost every Londoners’ fingers. The smell of tobacco covers most...
Why You Should Travel Like Your Life Depends On It
I’ve always been one to enjoy a good adventure now and again, but unless I impulsively drive out of town, it’s always a struggle to plan a trip out of Winona. It’s nice, it’s safe, and I know where everything is. If I need coffee or a place to write, I know where to...
3 Ways London Rocks Sustainability
As a traveler coming from the small river town of Winona to the bustling metropolitan that is London, there can be a bit of a culture shock. Green space is a bit reduced from what we’re used to and towering buildings replace the green bluffs that line our beloved...
5 Signs that You May be a London Pigeon
They say that if you shoot for the moon, you will (hopefully) land among the stars. I know many of you may have grown up with majestic mascots like Eagles, Hawkeyes, Falcons, and even the Ravens as a symbol of strength and agility. But I argue that the bird most...
500 Stairs and Counting: St. Paul’s Cathedral
Bloedow’s Bakery is to Winona as St. Paul’s Cathedral is to London. However, at first, I did not understand its importance to the city of London - after all, it doesn’t even have donuts! Just like a newcomer in Winona trying a Bloedow’s donut for the first time, I was...
Live Your Best Travel Life Through Education
Read it or live it. Why not both? We have all taken a class and had expectations for it. Sometimes we will think the professor will be great or that the class will talk about what we’re interested in and it backfires. Classes are meant to prepare us for something in...
London Lifestyle: 3 Reasons that Toto, We’re Not in America Anymore
The United States, and in particular, Winona, Minnesota, are wonderful places to live. But as Americans, we take some aspects of our lives in America for granted, forgetting that the rest of the world doesn’t exist the same way. [gallery link="none" columns="1"...
Debate: Is it Okay to Visit Cemeteries on Vacation?
When I say “vacation,” you say “beach!” When I say “holiday,” you say “party!” Maybe you wouldn’t consider spending your vacation or trip by visiting crypts (sites of burial), but that’s exactly how many people spend their trips. [gallery link="none" columns="1"...
Inside/Outside Solidarity
From the Women’s Studies Classroom to LGBT Books to Prisoners Project On March 26th of 2018, a group of students from Dr. Mary Jo Klinker’s WGSS 374: “Queer Theories and Politics” travelled to Madison, WI to send books to LGBT prisoners and gain first-hand experience...
WSU Data Analytics Competition Offers Students Professional Edge
Each spring, Winona State University sponsors the Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics Competition (MUDAC), bringing together student participants, their advisors, and analytics professionals for a two-day event dedicated to enhancing the education of undergraduates...
WSU History Professor Offers Perspective on Family Separation Practice and Policy
Winona State University History Professor and Author Colette Hyman recently penned an opinion piece for MinnPost entitled, “Family separation: Not as new as we would like to think.” Dr. Hyman encourages readers to look beyond current media coverage to understand the...
WSU Finance Professor Weighs In On Credit Inquiries
Winona State University Assistant Professor of Finance Larry Schrenk was recently featured in an “Ask the Experts” segment on WalletHub, a website featuring subject matter experts on financial planning. Dr. Schrenk responded to four questions as part of a panel of...
Upright Again Named Professor of the Year
Winona State University Sociology Professor Craig Upright has been selected as Professor of the Year for the second year in a row.
WSU Commits to Meeting Needs of Busy Adults Returning to College
Reaffirming its commitment to adults returning to college, Winona State University has joined the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning’s (CAEL) Adult Learner 360 Coalition. Comprised of colleges and universities that have demonstrated a focus on supporting the...
Nursing Offers New BSN to DNP Pathway
Graduate Programs in Nursing has been approved to offer a Psychiatric-mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Baccalaureate to Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program.
WSU Announces New Dean of College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Winona State University announces Julie M. Anderson has accepted the position of Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, effective July 1. “We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Anderson to the Winona State community of learners,” said Patricia Rogers, WSU...
WSU Expands Bachelor Completion Program
Expanded Program Will Meet Needs of Adults Who Wish to Enter or Advance in the Field of Healthcare Since August 2013, Winona State University has offered an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Leadership & Administration (HLA). This bachelor...
Dr. Barry Peratt selected as MAA Distinguished Teacher for North Central Section
The selection committee for the North Central Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has selected Dr. Barry Peratt as their winner for the 2018 Distinguished Teaching of University Mathematics Award. Peratt was announced as the winner at their spring...
WSU Leadership Graduates and Alumni Selected for International Academic Research Presentations
Winona State’s Leadership Education graduate program gains international prominence in presenting academic research to higher education representatives from over 22 countries in the 2018 Clute International Conference in Washington D.C. from April 8-11, 2018. The WSU...
50 Years of Excellence in Nursing
In 1968, the first-ever class of nursing students graduated from Winona State University. From that first class of 16 nursing graduates, the WSU College of Nursing has grown to an annual graduating class of over 150 pre-licensure nursing graduates; 150 associate...
Chasing An Unconventional Dream: My Story as a Communications Major
Chasing An Unconventional Dream
From El Salvador to Winona: A Nursing Major Pursuing Her Calling
Ever since she was a little girl, Kelsa Katzfey, a freshman at WSU, has had a heart for kids. She has always dreamt of going into a career where she could invest in the lives of children. It wasn’t until she ventured to the country of El Salvador that this dream...
2017 WarriorsINNOVATE Grant Recipient | Michael Pelley, Treedome
The WarriorsINNOVATE Challenge is a competition that provides an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to put innovative ideas into action, as well as a chance to win a share of $10,000 toward jump starting that idea. Michael Pelley, a senior Public...