Alumni
Once you join our community, you’re a Warrior forever. Though you may have left campus, we’re always here for you
More than 66,000 alumni are powered by purple pride as they carry their experiences at Winona State on through their lives.
Our global network of alumni makes a difference everywhere they go—in their homes, their businesses, and their communities.
Keep in touch and build your network with fellow Warrior alumni by following WSU Alumni & Friends on social media.
Events
Alumni are welcome to gather and reconnect at many events throughout the year.
Return to campus to relive some college memories and make new memories at events held across the United States.
Upcoming Events
- April 26: Baseball Reunion Tailgate
- May 12: President Tour in Madison, WI
- May 13: President Tour in Milwaukee, WI
- May 14: President Tour in Chicago, IL
- June 10: President Tour in Twin Cities, MN
- June 12: Winona Social
- June 20: Warrior Club Golf Classic
Fun, food, and community are coming to Johnson Street prior to Winona State Football home games!
All are invited to the Game Day Experience to enjoy free food trucks, giveaways and contests, Warrior Kids Zone, and the all-time favorite Warrior Walk.
There’s no better time to show your Warrior pride than at Homecoming, the biggest alumni gathering of the year.
Each Fall, thousands of alumni return to their alma mater for a special celebration of community and to join with fellow alumni, current WSU students, and the community to enjoy both planned and spontaneous festivities!
From trips and theatre productions to tours of California wine country and international travel, there’s a variety of opportunities to explore the world with day trips and travel programs organized through the WSU Retiree Center.
These experiences are open to everyone including alumni, faculty, and retirees.
Suggest an Event
Have an idea for an alumni event? Let us know!
The Alumni Engagement Office is always looking for new ways to help alumni stay connected with each other and the University.
Contact the Alumni Engagement Office at alumni@winona.edu. Please give us at least 6 weeks notice to properly plan and market events.
Each year at Homecoming, WSU recognizes alumni for their significant achievements and dedication to improving their professions or community. These alumni exemplify the university’s mission, vision or values.
Since 1983, over 250 alumni have been selected for the Distinguished Alumni Awards by the Winona State University Alumni Advisory Board. In 2025, the award categories were restructured to reflect the amazing work that is being done from graduates of each of our five colleges.
Do you know an alum who embodies the Warrior Spirit? Consider nominating them today!
Stay Connected
Graduating doesn’t mean saying goodbye to Winona State University.
There are so many ways to stay connected to college friends, to faculty and staff who impacted your career, even to the campus and city in general.
Whether you’re a new grad or a long-time alum, here’s how you can get involved at WSU.
Through an interactive online map, more than 100 engaged alumni have volunteered to be a point of contact for fellow Warriors to help them make meaningful connections in their community and professional networks.
Learn More
Life is full of many special occasions. With Warriors Forever Kits, you can bring your Warrior pride into any type of celebration and share WSU with those around you.
The Alumni Team will mail the Warriors Forever Kit directly to you at no cost. Only one kit can be requested per year per household while supplies last.
Request the Warriors Forever Alumni Kit, which includes beads, balloons, plastic cups, pens and pom poms.
You’ll also get up to 10 T-shirts with an exclusive design for alumni.
Request the Warriors Wedding Kit, which includes a Winona State banner and 2 pairs of sunglasses.
Request the Warriors Classroom Kit, which includes 20 pencils, 20 stickers, Alumni pen, and notepad.
You’ll also get a WSU pennant and a WSU Alumni T-shirt.
Request the Warriors Forever High School Graduation Party Kit, which includes 10 beads, 6 balloons, and pom poms.
You’ll also get a lanyard, sunglasses, and a T-shirt with an exclusive design for Future Warriors.
Support Scholarships & Initiatives
With the generous support of alumni like you, WSU is able to pursue initiatives that improve campus facilities and educational programs to meet the changing needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
Make a GiftStarting a scholarship can make it possible for students to earn their degrees at Winona State. Every dollar makes a difference!
In the WSU Alumni Engagement Office, we like nothing better than to serve you and help you stay connected to the University and each other.
Along with the WSU Alumni Advisory Board, we plan events and programs to do just that.
So, if you have a great idea or would like to help, just get in touch. We’re here for you!
507.457.5027
Winona State University
PO Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
The Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) consists of alumni volunteers who have a variety of occupational and economic backgrounds.
This tight-knit, generous, and passionate group of alumni volunteers does amazing work to build strong, lifelong relationships between the University and its alumni and friends. They provide general counsel and support for activities and programs to build alumni engagement.
AAB members meet virtually 6 times per year for one-hour meetings, along with one in-person gathering on campus each semester.
Email alumni@winona.edu to request the AAB goals, expectations, and membership responsibilities.
BS Composite Materials Engineering ‘15
Minors: Mathematics, Polymer Chemistry, Spanish ‘15
As an undergraduate, Aaron was a:
- member of the WSU Football team.
- member, Vice President, and President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
- member of the Tech Support Team (Walk-in Tech/DLC Specialist).
- tutor within the “I am College Bound” program.
In the Spring of ‘17, he earned his master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
He worked over 4 years at General Motors as a Global Manufacturing Engineer (Warren, MI) and as a Paint Process Engineer and Supervisor (Spring Hill, TN).
He currently works as a Senior Manufacturing Technology Engineer at 3M in New Ulm, MN.
Aaron, his wife, and 2 sons live in Mankato, MN. He enjoys quality family time, outdoor adventures, and traveling to new places.
BA Mass Communication: Public Relations & Professional Studies ’07
During her undergraduate career, Courtney worked as a Senior Public Relations Writer for the WSU Marketing & Communications Office and was part of multiple theatre and dance productions.
In 2012, Courtney earned her MA in Strategic Communication Management from Concordia University, St. Paul.
Passionate about giving back to students through scholarships and mentorship, Courtney and her husband started a recurring scholarship at WSU in 2013.
Currently, Courtney works as a Senior Communications Specialist at ECMC Group, a nonprofit headquartered in Minneapolis focused on helping students succeed.
She resides in Lake Elmo, MN, with her husband, 2 children, and 3 pets.
BS Business Administration ’93
With nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Scott serves as the EVP-CLO at State Bank of Cross Plains helping clients to make informed financial decisions to best grow their businesses.
Scott received an MBA in Business Administration from Edgewood College in Madison, as well as a Graduate School of Banking degree from UW-Madison.
Scott enjoys sharing his experience to mentor future financial and banking leaders.
He is active in many organizations around Madison, including as a board member on:
- Building our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT)
- Gilda’s Club
- Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce
Scott lives in Madison, WI, with his wife Lisa (WSU class of 1992) and their 3 children.
BA Criminal Justice & Spanish ’16
MA Leadership Education ’20
During her undergraduate studies, Claire was involved with the University Programming & Activities Committee, Criminal Justice Club, Spanish Club, and WSU Security.
Claire was named as Outstanding Student of the Criminal Justice program.
Claire has worked to assist victims of crime in navigating the criminal justice system. She has worked for the Winona County Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Claire is currently the Director of Justice Programs for Healing Justice, a national organization focused on improving the criminal justice system through strategic partnerships and providing ongoing training and technical assistance.
BS Accounting & Business Administration ’11
During his time on the WSU campus, Sean served as:
- Accounting Association President
- Accounting Association Treasurer
- College of Business Student Advisory Board Chair
- College of Business Student Advisory Board Secretary
His best memories from WSU are going to the 2008 National Championship game–which we won–and working at Sammy’s Pizza.
Sean now lives in the Milwaukee area with his wife Hailey (WSU class of 2011), daughter, and dog. He’s been working for a global investment management firm for more than 15 years.
BS Social Work, ’13
While at WSU, Jerad was highly involved on campus with roles including:
- President of the Black Student Union
- Resident Assistant
- Orientation Leader
- WSU Ambassador
- Student Senator
- Co-founder of the KEAP Center
After leaving Winona, he went on to earn his Masters in Higher Education Administration and is currently a PhD student studying Educational Leadership – Higher Education through Clemson University.
Jerad currently works as Director of Equity and Inclusion for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and he lives in the Twin Cities with his wife Courtney and 2 kids: Iggy and Ollie.
He’s a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and is excited to join the board.
BA Psychology ’09
Kelsey earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Winona State University and went on to complete a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
As a student affairs practitioner and licensed school counselor, she has dedicated much of her career to academic advising and developing new educational programs.
She currently serves as the Associate Director of Academic Partnerships at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is a doctoral candidate in the higher education administration program at St. Cloud State University.
Kelsey resides in Shorewood, Wisconsin, with her husband Joe (WSU Class of 2009) and their 2 children, Margot and Davis.
BA Communication Studies ‘16
As a Warrior, Haley was:
- part of the Alumni Annual Fund-Phonathon
- a WSU Ambassador
- a member of Delta Phi Epsilon
- a member of TRIO
- a talk show host for KQAL
She went on to earn her master’s degree in College Counseling and Student Development at St. Cloud State University.
She has worked in the higher education field and recently started working for Salesforce, a CRM tech company.
Haley is still involved in her sorority as an advisor for the University of Illinois Chapter.
BS Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education ’04
During her time on campus, Chantelle was involved in:
- Education Minnesota
- campus ministry
- residence life leadership
Her best memories from WSU are living down the hall from friends and the amazing community among res lifers.
Chantelle now lives in the Twin Cities area with her husband and 2 children, and she is a Principal Employee Relations Partner at Medtronic.
BS Marketing & Business Education ’02 & ’04
Nick Lobejko is a first-generation college graduate.
After WSU, Nick fell in love with Colorado, where he received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and has lived in Colorado ever since.
Currently, Nick serves as the Executive Director of Advancement in the College of Business at Colorado State University, which recently successfully completed a $1 billion comprehensive capital campaign.
Nick and his wife Jillian own Sole Mates, a retail store in Fort Collins, CO.
Nick enjoys spending time with his son Logan, running, and trying to stay upright on his mountain bike on all the local trails in Fort Collins.
MA Education ‘01
Luke is the 2009 Winona Teacher of the Year, 2010 Minnesota’s Teacher of Excellence, and a NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow.
A past adjunct faculty member, Luke received the WSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016.
He currently teaches second grade at Washington-Kosciusko Elementary School in the Winona Area Public Schools.
BA Paralegal ‘95
Michelle Mertes is from Princeton, MN, and currently lives in Midland, MI, with her husband Scott (WSU class of 1994) and their daughter Emma.
Since 2002, Michelle has worked as a paralegal at Dow in Midland.
Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, biking, and scrapbooking.
BA Professional Studies: Education & Social Sciences ’99
During her time at WSU, Stephanie was involved in multiple campus activities:
- Freshman Orientation Leader
- WSU Human Rights Club
- WSU Women’s Rugby
She received the WSU Distinguished Service Award in 1998 for her community service work with children and education in the Winona area.
She has more than 18 years of experience in the early childhood classroom as a teacher, and she is currently an Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinator for a nonprofit in the Twin Cities.
Stephanie stays involved as an alumni supporter of WSU Women’s Rugby by helping to plan and coordinate reunion events for rugby alumni and current players alike.
Stephanie enjoys going on hikes and road trips to the North Shore with her wife Erin and 2 dogs, taking nature photography, and adding to her yard’s hosta collection.