Truck Driving Students and Faculty Spread Holiday Cheer

Every year Southeast Technical truck driving students and faculty give their time and talents to deliver toys for various holiday events. Earlier this month, Truck Driving Instructor Thomas Gierok delivered 2,900 shoe boxes full of goodies and necessities to a La Crosse distribution center. Through Operation Christmas Child these items will be distributed worldwide to children in Haiti, Africa, South America and parts of Asia. "Without the help of your program we could not pull off this project," said Doug Hinrichs, local coordinator for Operation Christmas Child.

Next week truck driving students and faculty will deliver Toys for Tots to the distribution site on the Southeast Technical Winona Campus in Tandeski. The very next day two trucks will head off into separate directions loaded with toys and clothing to deliver to the Santee Souix reservation in Nebraska and the Crow Creek Indian reservation in South Dakota.

Christmas Tree Generates Funds for Veteran Scholarship

On Wednesday the Haiwatha Valley Family Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee united with Southeast Technical in a joint effort to raise scholarship funds for local veterans. Together the two organizations assembled a holiday tree which was auctioned off at the Festival of Trees in conjunction with the Holiday Stroll in Red Wing. The tree was auctioned off with the understanding that whoever purchased it would donate it to a military family. The tree raised $625. Half of the proceeds will go towards establishing a new scholarship at Southeast Technical for veterans.

Samara McManimon-Myers

Practical Nursing Student Samara McManimon-Myers will receive her high school and practical nursing diplomas at the same time. Samara is an example of the increasing number of high school students attending Southeast Technical to get a jumpstart on their college career. The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program is a Minnesota state program that allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses while still in high school and receive both high school and college credit for courses that are completed with a passing grade at Southeast Technical.

At 17 years of age, Samara is the youngest student in a cohort of more than 30. As a young student she says that her peers are available to offer her valuable advice and "the teachers are so helpful and nice," she adds. Her advisor, Diane Spiten offers that Samara downplays her own accomplishments, "She has become a willing resource to students for material reviewed in class and assists others in maintaining organization in the nursing program. She is honestly concerned about putting her best foot forward, however quiet about her success." Clinical rotations are Samara's favorite part of class saying, "It's the best possible thing, putting everything you've learned into practice." During clinical rotations Samara and her peers spend time researching their residents, preparing med sheets, learning about charting, learning the computer system, providing nebulizer treatments, taking glucose readings and vital signs. "I’ve taken lots of vital signs," Samara remembers amusingly.

Her plans are to attend Winona State University to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing after completing her coursework here at Southeast Technical. Samara's advice to other high school students, "Go for PSEO, even if you only take one class for the experience and to prep for college."

Students Active with Diabetes Month Activities

Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical Nursing students have been active this month in a variety of Diabetes Awareness Month activities. Wabasha Nursing students were invited to present to the St. Elizabeth's Hospital auxiliary luncheon on Diabetes Awareness Month. In addition, Winona Nursing students played an integral role with the Winona Health Diabetes Expo earlier this month. Students provided blood pressure and blood sugar screenings to expo participants.

Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:
• Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
• Another 79 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion.

American Diabetes Month takes place each November and is a time to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes®! To learn more about how you can help stop diabetes click the link above to visit the American Diabetes Association.

Intro to Gaming Open House

Southeast Technical is now offering an Intro to Gaming - Blackjack Dealer Training Certification. This new program takes place in an atmosphere similar to what you would find in a real casino with an authentic table, chips, and other professional equipment used in the gaming industry.

Tuesday, November 20
1 – 3 p.m.
Southeast Technical College – Red Wing Campus Room 410
308 Pioneer Road, Red Wing
Refreshments and Prizes!

Join us for this Open House and find out more about this new program and your potential!

For more information call Calli Ekblad at 651.385.6320

Learn more about these course offerings. 

Criminal Justice student organized clothing drive will serve many

When Christina Halbakken first learned that a service learning project was an expectation for Criminal Justice coursework, she immediately identified Winona Family and Children's Center to perform her citizenship. Christina, a first year criminal justice major, rallied her classmates, friends and neighbors; along with reaching out to the Southeast Technical Student Senate for support. The drive quickly became bigger than Halbakken ever expected with big results.

"Christina's passion, commitment and leadership skills resulted in mounds of donated clothing which will be distributed to children/youth in need. Christina has been somewhat modest regarding her efforts; however, she is to be commended for her diligence and desire to help youth in need," commends Greg Cady, criminal justice instructor, adding, "A job well done!"

Anyone who missed this drive and wishes to contribute can drop off donations at Winona Family and Children’s Center, 601 Franklin Street.

Minnesota State College free application week is November 12-16, 2012

The one-time $20 non-refundable application fee is waived for students who apply during "free application week".   Apply online!

 For more information contact us at 877.853.8324 or email [email protected]

Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical welcomes Shannon Schell to the admissions office

Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical welcomes Shannon Schell as the new director of recruitment. In this role Shannon will lead and direct the enrollment management process by developing and implementing recruitment plans and strategies for the college.

Shannon is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. For the past 4 years she has worked as the Outreach Coordinator/Admissions Representative at Rochester Community and Technical College. Previous to RCTC Shannon served as the Membership Services Coordinator at the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce for 5 years.