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.
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
- Dec. 14: Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
- Jan. 23: Warriors in the Workplace Event
- Feb. 23: Timberwolves Pre-Game Social
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.
Join in for #WinonaGameDay!
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!
On Sweetheart Weekend, all couples who met in Winona or at WSU are welcome to come “home” and rekindle their romance at the place where it all began.
You’re encouraged to attend, even if you didn’t meet at WSU, but discovered later that you both went to school in Winona.
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.
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.
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.
You’ll be joining the Alumni Engagement and WSU Admissions teams and helping us cover promotional events we can’t personally attend.
Make a difference in new students’ college decision journeys by signing up as a Road Warrior today.
As a Regional Warrior, you’ll get to know your Warrior Neighbors, coordinate and attend events, get the latest campus news, and support current WSU students with scholarships and more.
Email the Alumni Engagement Office at alumni@winona.edu for more info.
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!
You can mentor a student virtually or in person.
Become a Mentor
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.
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.
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-Chief Lending Officer 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 Economics & Political Science, ’14
MA Organizational Leadership, ‘18
Nabih Elteir is the Radiology Department business coordinator for MHealth Fairview. He has been working with MHealth Fairview since 2016.
Prior to this, Nabih worked as a Financial Analyst at IBM and a personal banker at Wells Fargo Bank.
Nabih currently resides in the Twin Cities area and has 2 children: Zeyad and Zain.
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.
BA Psychology & English, ’03
DeAnna Goddard is currently the Associate Director for Career Services in the Warrior Success Center at WSU and holds a Master of Counseling and Student Personnel degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
She’s proud to be a first-generation WSU alumnus and alumni society 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.
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 two children, and 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 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.
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.