Republican-Eagle: Supporting the Success of Students
Admissions Representative Easton McCready finds joy in helping students connect with MSC Southeast
By Skyler Stone, December 23, 2023
Easton McCready joined the staff of Minnesota State College Southeast in early November, but she's already found a lot to love about the college.
As admissions representative, McCready's role is to help students through every step of the enrollment process, all the way from selecting a program to applying for admission, navigating financial aid, completing orientation, and registering for classes.
She likes to think of herself as a bridge between students' worlds before they join the college and the world of MSC Southeast.
McCready travels to schools throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin to give presentations on what the college has to offer. She's already visited high schools in Lake City, Cannon Falls, Rochester, and many other cities.
One thing McCready loves about Southeast is its affordability. "Education shouldn't be a privilege, it should be offered for all," said McCready, "That's what we're doing."
McCready is also impressed by the variety of education and training MSC Southeast has to offer in niche but useful skills, from musical instrument repair to nursing to auto body collision technology. "We're the definition of unique," she said.
As a result of the unique programs MSC Southeast has to offer, McCready has found that many students attending the college are doing so because they absolutely love what they're doing.
This has made it a joy to work with the college's students, especially because the small student body allows her to work with them one-on-one.
The administration and staff have been wonderful as well. They've made McCready feel welcome at the college, and she's comfortable with asking them for help when she needs it.
McCready has a master's degree in Student Affairs Administration. She also has an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Last summer, McCready worked as a Trio Academic Advisor at Rochester Community and Technical College. There, she served low income and first-generation students as well as students with documented disabilities.
"I learned that students need more than just academic and financial support," said McCready. She strongly advocates for giving students support that goes beyond those two areas, especially when it comes to their mental health.
As she continues to work for the college, McCready hopes to keep building relationships with students and strengthening relationships between MSC Southeast and the larger Red Wing community, especially local high schools and the Prairie Island Indian Community.
In the long term, McCready also hopes to contribute to academic, financial, personal, mental health, and disability support programs at the college.
McCready's ultimate passion, though, is supporting the success of students. She firmly believes that, no matter how a student defines success, there's a path for them to get there. Her job is to help them find that path.