Winona Daily News Campus Connection, October 13, 2023

New Winona area high school grads take advantage of opportunity to go to college tuition-free at MSC Southeast

Thanks to the College Opportunity Program, more than 90 new Winona area high school grads enrolled at Minnesota State College Southeast this fall. 

They are finding that the program doesn't just make it possible to go to college tuition-free this year and next - it makes it possible for them to think ahead to the next steps in their education. 

Lauren Woyczik (pictured above) graduated from Winona Senior High School last spring. She is enrolled in the college's pre-nursing program, planning to become a registered nurse. 

"Currently I'm taking the pre-requisite courses to enter the Associate of Science in Nursing degree," she said. 

Since she doesn't have to take out loans for her first two years of college, she is setting her sights higher and plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing after she graduates from Southeast.  

Jaron Pizarro also graduated from Winona Senior High School last spring. He remembers seeing flyers on the wall at the high school and reading about the College Opportunity Program in area newspapers. 

"I already planned to go to a community college like Southeast," he said. "I knew there were lots of interesting programs here, and with my math aptitude, I figured something in electronics would be a good fit."

Like Lauren, Jaron plans to enter the workforce after finishing college and continue onward for a four-year degree. 

"The College Opportunity Program makes a lot of difference for me because I'll be able to go on for a bachelor's degree right away," Jaron said. "I won't be starting off with so much student loan debt."

Not just help with tuition - help with retention

Funded by a consortium of Winona area businesses and individuals, the College Opportunity Program provides Winona students graduating in 2023 and 2024 with up to 70 credits at MSC Southeast, plus $500 per year towards the cost of books, tools, supplies and materials.

Because program is currently funded through 2026, students who graduate in 2025 will be eligible for up to 35 credits and a $500 stipend.

Just as importantly, College Opportunity Program Navigators Kattie Sacia and Pam Zimmerman are available to help students through the enrollment, registration, and financial aid process. 

Pam and Kattie are also determined to retain students all the way through graduation by making sure they have the resources they need to be successful, both at MSC Southeast and in the future. 

"I have been working with Kattie to plan my classes so that I will transfer onward with the right courses," Jaron Pizarro said. "I really appreciate getting on the right path - I would be lost otherwise."

"Money doesn't grow on trees"

New Winona Senior High School grad Max Dalenberg is currently enrolled in electronics at Southeast. The College Opportunity Program changed his entire outlook for the year.

"I wasn't really planning to go to college right away, since I didn't know what I wanted to study," Max said. "I was just going to work this year and live at home."

But when his family heard about the program through a friend who works at Southeast, he decided to go to college right away. 

"I actually like going to college at Southeast a lot more than I expected," he disclosed. "Even though they are challenging, my classes are pretty fun. I like working with my hands and not just taking notes all day."

Max has been talking with program navigator Pam Zimmerman quite a bit. "She helped me figure out what classes to take, how to sign up for them, and how to get around the college generally."

All three students strongly recommend that current Winona area high school students consider Minnesota State College Southeast when planning for next fall. 

"It's not like money grows on trees!" said Jaron Pizaro. "Tuition costs a lot. You can save money and you won't have debt after you graduate."

Max Dalenberg agreed. "It will save you money and give you a lot of financial freedom." 

"Even if you don't know exactly what program you want to study, utilizing the College Opportunity Program is a great way to take some college classes and decide," advised Lauren Woyczik. "Minnesota State College Southeast is a great place to go because there are a lot of people who can help you." 

For more information about the College Opportunity Program for Winona area students, see: www.southeastmn.one/opportunity.