{"id":3404,"date":"2021-11-04T21:18:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T21:18:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/?p=3404"},"modified":"2021-11-04T21:25:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T21:25:38","slug":"wsu-alum-makes-bigger-impact-in-winona-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/2021\/11\/04\/wsu-alum-makes-bigger-impact-in-winona-community\/","title":{"rendered":"WSU Alum Makes Bigger Impact in Winona Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/MicrosoftTeams-image-29.jpg” title_text=”MicrosoftTeams-image (29)” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]As the leaves change for the season<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0so too\u00a0<\/span>has the level of impact that Marcia Ratliff is making in the<\/span>\u00a0Winona<\/span>\u00a0community<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Ratliff, a \u201814 Winona State University alum, left her full-time job\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>month\u00a0<\/span>ago\u00a0<\/span>as a\u00a0<\/span>Youth Services Associate at the Winona Public Library where she created programming for children to become the Executive Director of Engage Winona.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]At Engage Winona, Ratliff is still creating programming, but is doing it on a much larger scale in a way that engages the entire Winona-area community<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Engage Winona\u00a0<\/span>is a\u00a0<\/span>renowned<\/span>\u00a0organization in the area that\u00a0<\/span>strives to build an inclusive community that feels like home for all. Some areas the non-profit focuses on are<\/span>\u00a0community engagement,<\/span>\u00a0network building, resourcing and supporting diverse changemakers, and creating a new culture.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]After the first month on the job, Ratliff said\u00a0<\/span>it has<\/span>\u00a0been a bit of chaos, a lot of fun, and at a rate of a \u201chundred miles an hour.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Some of these skills she <\/span>acquired<\/span> during her time at Winona State.<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Rat<\/span>l<\/span>iff graduated<\/span>\u00a0in 2014<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>double major<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0in English Writing and English Literature with a Spanish\u00a0<\/span>minor<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Her time at\u00a0<\/span>WSU<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>mme<\/span>nsely aided in preparing<\/span>\u00a0her for th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0new<\/span>\u00a0role she has taken on.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]\u201cCollege is such a\u00a0<\/span>formative<\/span>\u00a0time in someone\u2019s life<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Ratliff said.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Not only did her classes give her the\u00a0<\/span>skill-set<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>position, but\u00a0<\/span>so too did the\u00a0<\/span>extracurriculars she\u00a0<\/span>participated<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0during her\u00a0<\/span>four years<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>at WSU<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_testimonial admin_label=”Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”right”]“I\u2019m learning a lot about nonprofit organization management,” she said. \u201cI have a lot of the skills that transfer but it\u2019s just trusting those skills.”<\/span><\/span> Marcia Ratliff<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Ratliff<\/span>\u00a0was a writer and editor for WSU\u2019s student newspaper, The\u00a0<\/span>Winonan<\/span>, and became the Editor in Chief her senior year.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0experience of\u00a0<\/span>being in a\u00a0<\/span>leadership\u00a0<\/span>role\u00a0<\/span>gifted<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0the tools to guide groups and\u00a0<\/span>facilitate<\/span>\u00a0change<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>which\u00a0<\/span>supported<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>her work at Engage Winona.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Dr. Amy\u00a0<\/span>Hermodson<\/span>, a Communications Studies Professor at WSU as well as a board member at Engage Winona<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span>\u00a0experiences such\u00a0<\/span>Ratliff\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>prepare students for the real world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really important that whatever major you\u2019re in, you provide opportunities for students to have hands on work.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]\u00a0<\/span>The university offers dozens of\u00a0<\/span>student employment opportunities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>every semester, in addition to internships and hands-on\u00a0<\/span>engaged learning\u00a0<\/span>experiences\u00a0<\/span>included\u00a0<\/span>within course work.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Her experience at Winona State is not the only thing that prepare<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Ratliff<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>E<\/span>xecutive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>D<\/span>irector<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]After graduation<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Ratliff worked\u00a0<\/span>at\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Winona Daily News<\/span>\u00a0where<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>she explored Winona\u2019s culture and community\u00a0<\/span>atmosphere<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>at a\u00a0<\/span>deeper level by reporting on health and wellness within the\u00a0<\/span>city<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]She also\u00a0<\/span>traveled to South Africa\u00a0<\/span>later in her career where she\u00a0<\/span>worked in English Education for the Peace Corps.\u00a0<\/span>Th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0experience\u00a0<\/span>pushed\u00a0<\/span>her outside of her bubble by building relationships with\u00a0<\/span>people<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>from\u00a0<\/span>different cultures<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>d\u00a0<\/span>b<\/span>a<\/span>ck<\/span>g<\/span>r<\/span>o<\/span>u<\/span>nds<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Community<\/span>\u00a0work depends on trust, and through Ratliff\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>involvement<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>she<\/span>\u00a0gained\u00a0<\/span>experience in relationship<\/span>\u00a0building<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>cross-cult<\/span>ural<\/span>\u00a0communication.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Ratliff<\/span>\u00a0has big plans for the future of Engage Winon<\/span>a.\u00a0<\/span>Her current<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>focus\u00a0<\/span>is the Lived Experience Leaders program<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which strives to\u00a0<\/span>deepen and diversify\u00a0<\/span>Winona\u2019s pool of community leaders by providing participants with resources and training to step into a leadership role and support others with similar experiences.\u00a0<\/span>She<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0working to ensure th<\/span>e success of\u00a0<\/span>this<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>program for years to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Another\u00a0<\/span>goal\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0<\/span>her time at Engage Winona is to bring her creative side into her work.\u00a0<\/span>Ratliff, who is a local poet<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>previously\u00a0<\/span>received a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council grant<\/span>, hopes to find\u00a0<\/span>opportunities<\/span>\u00a0to bring art into Engage Winona\u2019s work.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]\u201c<\/span>It\u2019s my hope that in this position I can bring people\u00a0<\/span>together and<\/span>\u00a0create a future Winona community that is more inclusive<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0creativ<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0and rooted in stories and things we have in\u00a0<\/span>common<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Ratliff said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the leaves change for the season,\u00a0so too\u00a0has the level of impact that Marcia Ratliff is making in the\u00a0Winona\u00a0community.\u00a0 Ratliff, a \u201814 Winona State University alum, left her full-time job\u00a0a\u00a0month\u00a0ago\u00a0as a\u00a0Youth Services Associate at the Winona Public Library where she created programming for children to become the Executive Director of Engage Winona.\u00a0\u00a0 At Engage Winona, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":303,"featured_media":3471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[878,943,968,880,56,686],"tags":[130,290],"class_list":["post-3404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","category-blog-slider","category-community","category-featured-post","category-features","category-hp-feature-1","tag-alumni","tag-english"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/MarciaRatlifSQUARE.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7PQMT-SU","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/303"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3404"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3470,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3404\/revisions\/3470"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}