Contact: Katryn Conlin (she/her/hers), Director of Communications
[email protected], 651-385-6364
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MSC Southeast positions for growth, resilience, and service to students and communities by creating two new divisions: Student Success and Strategic Initiatives
Winona and Red Wing, MN (December 31, 2021) -- President Marsha Danielson at Minnesota State College Southeast announced today the restructuring of the college to include two new divisions, Strategic Initiatives and Student Success, effective January 1, 2022.
"I am energized by the passion, creativity, and enthusiasm that I have witnessed in every corner of Minnesota State College Southeast. It is clear there is a deep sense of purpose here," said President Danielson. "This is the right time for our college to adopt a new growth mindset and a new organizational structure."
Previously the Vice President of Academics, Chad Dull will move into a new position as Vice President of Student Success. In this division, both academic and student affairs will be fully integrated and will provide holistic student support. Besides managing all aspects of academics at the college, including over 60 full and part-time faculty who teach in more than 30 programs, Vice President Dull will be responsible for the student experience outside of the classroom, including admissions, enrollment, registration, financial aid, retention, and academic support.
Vice President Dull said, "In my time here, we always have worked very collaboratively between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. The Student Success division is the next step in our evolution as we move beyond collaboration to true integration."
The creation of a Student Success division, integrating student and academic affairs, will help the college provide a more rapid and holistic response as student needs are addressed. It will also allow MSC Southeast to build on its noteworthy basic needs work, which is an important tool to growing a larger and more inclusive workforce in the region.
"Successful growth requires reimagining the traditional divisions between academic and student affairs," said President Danielson. "Chad's deep experience in both areas will provide a strong and unified approach to this critical work. I am grateful we have a willing leader with Chad's background to take on this key effort for the college."
Previously the Vice President of Student Affairs, Josiah Litant will move into a newly created leadership role, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. The Strategic Initiatives division brings several core functions under one umbrella to support new and emerging priorities for the college. Vice President Litant will oversee marketing and communications, grant development, college accreditation, strategic and operational planning, and new growth initiatives for the college. In addition, he will provide leadership and direction to the Minnesota State College Southeast Foundation, which raises funds for the college and distributes student scholarships.
"The creation of the Strategic Initiatives division is exciting and visionary. By bringing all of these functions together, we will be in a stronger position to achieve our institutional aspirations," said Vice President Litant. "Most importantly, we will continue to grow in our ability to provide world-class education to our students as they work to achieve their goals."
"Josiah's experience at MSC Southeast over the last three years -- and the strong relationships he has built both at the college and in our communities -- will ensure his work is steeped in a collaborative, shared approach. I look forward to the leadership Josiah will provide in this new role," said President Danielson.
The Strategic Initiatives division will give the college the ability to move at "the speed of change." In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, this new division will allow Minnesota State College Southeast to work more effectively with its internal and external stakeholders.
"Minnesota State College Southeast is entrepreneurial and radically collaborative. The new organizational structure will allow us to capitalize on those strengths and position the college for growth, resilience, and service to our students and communities," said President Marsha Danielson.
###
About Minnesota State College Southeast
Located in the scenic bluff country along the Mississippi River, Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college that prepares students for a lifetime of learning by providing education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining, and transfer. The college's campuses in Red Wing and Winona offer small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and an environment that is friendly and supportive. In addition, more than 30 majors are available online. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.