Republican-Eagle: MSC Southeast students say the Red Wing College Promise is "a once in a lifetime chance"

By Skyler Stone, November 20, 2023

The Red Wing College Promise is a new program funded by the Jones Family Foundation. Through the program, eligible students who graduate from high school in Red Wing and go on to attend Minnesota State College Southeast will receive free tuition and up to $1,000 toward books and materials.

A student who attends MSC Southeast for two years under the program will save about $14,000.

The program began last August, with 56 students enrolled. So far, students are loving it.

Eight of the students are going to MSC Southeast to study nursing, making it the third most frequent choice for College Promise students. 12 are following one of MSC Southeast's Transfer Pathways so they can transfer to a four-year college down the line. Another 18 students are training in one of the trades.

Taylor Kanakares is one of those students. He's participating in MSC Southeast's Mechatronics program, where he's learning about mechanics, electronics, and how to apply the two fields in an industrial environment.

"It's opened my eyes to some new things," said Kanakares. He didn't know where to go after high school at first, so to him, the College Promise was "an answer to prayers." The program gave Kanakares a chance to experiment and find something he was passionate about, without paying thousands of dollars in rent and tuition.

Now, Kanakares hopes to become an electrician. Although he may need to continue his education beyond MSC Southeast, a degree from the college will allow him to get a start in a range of fields.

 Vivian Ostendorf is another student taking advantage of the Red Wing College Promise. She's pursuing a two-year degree to become an administrative assistant.

Because she completed the first year of the Administrative Assistant program through PSEO in high school, she'll complete her degree this spring.

Thanks to the College Promise, Ostendorf will also earn an esthiology certificate at MSC Southeast's Winona campus next fall.

"It's such a relief," said Ostendorf. The rest of her family has struggled with debt, so to be able to complete two majors debt-free is an amazing opportunity for her.

 Over at MSC Southeast's Winona campus, Esmerelda Garcia Martinez is pursuing a degree in cosmetology.

In the program, Garcia Martinez is learning about how to cut hair, dye hair, paint nails, apply makeup ― "Every cosmetology thing you can think of," she said.

The broad range of the program is exactly what Garcia Martinez was looking for. She plans to open her own salon, where she wants to do a little bit of everything.

Garcia Martinez is the first generation in her family to go to college, and she wouldn't have done it without the College Promise. "I've always dreamed about college, but I knew we couldn't afford it," she said, "I'm so grateful for this chance to have a career."

Students who participate in the program are guided by Diane Jacobson, the Red Wing College Promise Navigator. She helps students transition to college, access the resources they need, and choose the best classes for their goals.

Jacobson also helps high school students enroll in the program. She spreads awareness of the program through posters, letters, emails, and presentations, and helps students decide whether the Red Wing College Promise is the right fit for them. She is available to meet with students at the college, at the high school, or online.

So far, 25 high school students in Red Wing have already expressed interest in attending MSC Southeast through the Red Wing College Promise next fall. Kanakares, Ostendorf, and Garcia Martinez would tell each of these students to go for it. "It's a once in a lifetime chance," said Garcia Martinez.

For more information about the Red Wing College Promise go to: www.southeastmn.one/redwingpromise

About the author: Skyler Stone is an English Transfer Pathway major who is attending Minnesota State College Southeast through the Red Wing College Promise. 

Photo captions (from top):

• As a student in Mechatronics, Taylor Kanakares has discovered his interest in becoming an electrician.
• Vivian Ostendorf, an Administrative Assistant student, is already using her skills as a work-study for Student Success and Custom Training at MSC Southeast. 
• Esmeralda Garcia Martinez (left) is enrolled in the college's Cosmetology program, which is located on the Winona campus.