Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Programs & Trainings

HOPE Academy

Are you a high school student looking to experience college life?

The HOPE Academic and Leadership Academy is a week-long summer residential program designed for high school students moving into the 9-12 grades.

At HOPE Academy, you’ll attend college-level courses and workshops to develop and explore:

• Leadership and communication skills, so that you can use these important life-long skills
• New perspectives so that you can better understand yourself, others, and the world around us
• Ways to move beyond any financial, social, and academic barriers so that you can have a successful college experience
• Decision-making and judgement strategies so that you can overcome any present and future challenges

The end goal for HOPE Academy is that students realize how they use intellect, integrity, courage, respect, passion, and leadership as building blocks for academic and personal success.

The next HOPE Academy has been postponed to Summer 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence at equity@winona.edu.

Guiding Warriors Mentoring Program

Find support and make connections in your college life. The Guiding Warriors Mentoring Program helps under-represented, under-served, first-generation, and diverse students:

• find academic success
• stay enrolled
• achieve graduation

You’ll be paired with peer mentors who will share their experiences and expertise to offer support, academic assistance, social guidance, and positive campus survival skills.

This program is a great way to become immersed in community life both on campus and in Winona.

Safe Space Training

Safe Space Training is a campus-wide program hosted by the Equity & Inclusive Excellence Office and Full Spectrum Student Alliance to create an inclusive and affirmative University community.

With Safe Space training, you can learn to be more intentional about creating spaces that are welcoming to everyone –especially for students, faculty, and staff who identify as LGBTQIA+.

The Safe Space Training Registration Form has upcoming dates, or you can request a private group training.