As the 2023-24 academic year is approaching, the President’s Cabinet would like to provide faculty and staff with a number of events that can be added to calendars. Additional information will be shared as available. August: Aug. 17 - University Picnic - Minneapolis Campus (University Center, noon) Aug. 22 - University Convocation (, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) An email with a detailed schedule is forthcoming. Aug. 24 - University Faculty Workshop (location TBD, morning with College faculty meeting reconvening at 1:30…
MINNEAPOLIS/WINONA, Minn. - Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is announcing the election of The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, D.D, S.T.D., Bishop of Winona-Rochester to its Board of Trustees. The university is governed by its Board of Trustees, which has fiduciary responsibility for the governance of the university. The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron is bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota) and an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian, and as the founder of Word on Fire Ministries, he is…
Having worked as a teacher for years, Samantha Holland knew when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it would have a long-lasting impact on school classrooms. To combat those disruptions, Holland made the decision to apply to Saint Mary’s to pursue her Ed.S. in Educational Administration degree and become an administrator. “As a teacher, you manage your classroom but the only way to effect change on a big basis is to go to the next level, which is administration,” she said. Since…
A high school psychology class first sparked Kailee Johnson’s interest in working in mental and behavioral health. “I’ve always liked listening to people and helping them with whatever they may be going through,” Johnson said. “So that’s where I’ve always seen myself.” This summer Saint Mary’s senior psychology major had the opportunity to see herself doing exactly that. By serving as a behavioral therapist with Caravel Autism Health in Rochester, she was able to build relationships with children diagnosed with…
By Maura Sullivan Hill Dr. Tanya Rand D’20 did homework for her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the kitchen table, usually alongside her three children. By the time she was working on her Doctor of Education Degree in Leadership at Saint Mary’s, her grandchildren were around for the study nights. “They’d be saying, ‘Nana, Nana, what are you doing?’ Well, I’m writing my paper,” recalls Rand, who worked as a clinical social worker for 13 years and now teaches in…
While Elizabeth Fleming, M’13, D’19, was pursuing her doctorate at Saint Mary’s, the unthinkable happened. She lost a close friend to suicide. “When it happened, I went through all of the emotions, ‘Why didn’t I know what was going on’ or ‘Why didn’t I say something,’” said Fleming, who was a Psy.D. student at the time. “I found myself, someone with a master's and seeking a doctorate in psychology, who didn’t know what to say. I thought if I don’t…
Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that John (Jack) McClure, Ph.D., has been named dean of the School of Education. McClure has served as interim dean since March, following the departure of Michael Lovorn. Before coming to Saint Mary’s in 2006, McClure worked as counselor and manager in the healthcare industry for sixteen years. At Saint Mary’s, he began as an assistant professor in the Ed.D. program, then was named to associate professor and core faculty in 2011, and in…
Higher education is a field that is constantly changing. With this roundup, we hope to keep you informed about what is going on at universities and colleges around the country. Saint Mary’s joins 6 other Minnesota colleges in top 300 higher education institutions in the nation Study shows higher education linked to kinder, healthier citizens
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, Saint Mary’s will welcome Dr. Liz Gulliford for a Cardinal Virtue lecture on “How Gratitude and Related Virtues Help Students and Teachers to Flourish.” This lecture presents gratitude as central to the other virtues and human flourishing. The Cardinal Virtue lecture will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19 in Aquinas 200 and is open to the entire Saint Mary’s community. Earlier in the day, Dr. Gulliford will facilitate a conversation with faculty on…
As the financial books closed this summer, it’s time for the Saint Mary’s community to celebrate a number of record-breaking donations in FY '23 that were acquired through the work of the Office of Advancement. In FY '23, the university saw a historic $47.2 million raised – the most money ever committed to the university in a fiscal year – donated through gifts, pledges, in-kind donations, and estate commitments. The previous record for gift commitments was set in 2014, with…
Ayers departs from Saint Mary’s for dean position at Edgewood College Carolyn Ayers has accepted an appointment for a new position as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Edgewood College in Madison, WI. While she will be greatly missed at Saint Mary's, we wish her heartfelt congratulations and blessings as she takes on this new and more expansive leadership role. Dalle to join Saint Mary’s as professional advisor for bachelor completion programs The Saint Mary’s community is…
With an eye on stability and proven leadership skills, the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president, announced James (Jim) Bedtke will assume an interim senior vice president role October 16. On August 23, Benjamin (Ben) Murray’96 announced he had accepted the role as CFO of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) and has since worked closely with key leadership to prepare for his October departure. The office of the president will launch a national search for…
Equipped with a juris doctorate, Dinyar Mehta had spent years climbing the ladder at a major Twin Cities-based corporation when he felt he needed to make a career change. Rather than going to a competitor for a new job title and a little more money, he decided to look beyond the corporate world. “After I decided to change, I simply asked friends, family, and colleagues one question: How does my presence make your life better?” Mehta said. “When they would…
With students arriving on campus for a new school year, Saint Mary's is pleased to welcome 310 new undergraduate students to its Winona Campus. Of the 310 new students, 31 are transfers. These new numbers put the College ahead of where it was at this time last year. At the beginning of the 2022 school year, the College welcomed 220 new students. For more information about potential enrollment, visit admissions. "This success testifies to the wisdom of many decisions made…
Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Jessica Gonzalez Uhlig, Ed.D., has been named dean of academic support services. Uhlig will start in the role on Sept. 5 at our Winona campus. As dean of academic support services, she will oversee the writing labs, libraries, career services, and student support services. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Uhlig has worked in Catholic higher education for more than 20 years and has a strong background in enrollment management, student affairs, and…
Higher education is a field that is constantly changing. With this roundup, we hope to keep you informed about what is going on at universities and colleges around the country. Minnesota is losing more college students than it attracts, a troubling trend (Star Tribune) New Minnesota law assists college-bound youth in foster care systems (Inside Higher Ed) Paper exams, chatbot bans: Colleges seek to ‘ChatGPT-proof’ assignments (Associated Press)
The M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program celebrated its relaunch in July, with students traveling to the Winona Campus to take part in a summer residency program. The two-week program welcomed eight students from all over the country, as well as one student from Canada. Previously, the yearly residency program was three weeks long, with students coming to the Winona Campus every summer for three years. However, with the launch of the new program, students take classes online, as well…
As the 2022-23 academic year is approaching, the President’s Cabinet would like to provide faculty and staff with a number of events that can be added to calendars. Convocation Convocation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 22, and will be held on the Minneapolis Campus. The event will be live-streamed to the Winona Campus for those who are unable to attend in person in Minneapolis. Convocation provides an opportunity for the university community to gather together and kick off the 2023-2024…
The School of Education hosted its Summer Institute on June 15 and 16 for candidates in the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program on the Minneapolis Campus. Supported by the $1.7 million grant received from the Kern Family Foundation, the Summer Institute featured nationally recognized speakers and formation activities aimed to equip participants to become leaders of character and lead schools of character. This is the third Summer Institute, and over 70 educators attended. Saint Mary’s was happy to…
As the Saint Mary’s community prepares for the upcoming school year, the B.S. in Nursing program is excited to welcome over 40 new students to the program, nearing the cohort’s capacity of 50 students. With the incoming class of 43 students and the existing two cohorts, the program now has 72 students enrolled in total. “It's surprising that the program has grown so fast,” said Sister Agnes Mary Graves, RSM, DNP, director of the B.S. in Nursing program. “I know…