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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 Winona State University alumni, powered by purple pride, carry on the experiences they had while students through their lives.

Our global network of alumni makes a difference everywhere they go—in their homes, their businesses, and their communities.

Warrior Spotlights
Rollingstone School Reopening
How 3 Alumni Helped Make it Happen
Students Intern with MN Twins
Read More
Athletics Records & Milestones
Tom Sawyer Says Farewell to WSU
Follow Us on Social

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.

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.

Nominate a Distinguished Awardee

Each year at Homecoming, WSU recognizes individuals for their outstanding commitment to the University, to its mission, and to improving our world.

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.

Warrior Neighbor
The Warrior Neighbor program is a way for WSU alumni to stay connected to fellow Warriors.

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
A group of female alumni wearing WSU merch pose together at an event on WSU campus.

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 Gift

Starting a scholarship can make it possible for students to earn their degrees at Winona State. Every dollar makes a difference!

Contact Us

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!

Alumni Relations Office
Somsen Hall 206

507.457.5027

Winona State University
PO Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987

Email WSU Alumni Relations
Tracy Hale
Director of Alumni Engagement

Somsen 206

507.457.2846

Email Tracy Hale
Machelle Carney
Office Coordinator

Somsen 206

507.457.2773

Email Machelle Carney
Alumni Advisory Board

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.

Courtney Colton
Chair

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.

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Scott Ducke
Board Member

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.

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Claire Exley
Board Member

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.

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Jerad Green
Board Member

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.

Hayley Joyce
Board Member

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.

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Chantelle Kraemer
Board Member

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 two children, and is a Principal Employee Relations Partner at Medtronic.

Nick Lobejko
Board Member

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.

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Luke Merchlewitz
Board Member

MA Education, ‘01

Luke is the 2009 Winona Teacher of the Year, 2010 Minnesota’s Teacher of Excellence, and is 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.

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Michelle Mertes
Board Member

BA Paralegal, ‘95

Michelle Mertes is from Princeton, MN, and currently lives in Midland, MI, with her husband Scott ‘94 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.

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Stephanie Moss
Board Member

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 two dogs, taking nature photography, and adding to her yard’s hosta collection.