Individualized Major
An individually designed major study program must be significantly different from a catalog major offering. It must have a focal point or unifying factor different from present departmental majors. It may not be a subfield of a current major offering. It may not be a current major offering with one or two courses added or subtracted.
An individualized major must represent significant time applied to courses united by the special focus of that program and must include at least 39 credits. Approximately half of the required courses should be upper-division. Approval must be obtained from the chair of each academic department from which three or more courses and/or upper-division courses will be taken. Also, the major must be approved by the vice president for academic affairs.
As with departmental majors, individualized majors should be declared before the junior year. This major option should not be considered or designed after a student has earned 95 credits. Once approved, an individualized major program cannot be changed without the approval of the vice president for academic affairs and the appropriate department chair(s). No courses listed in the original individualized major and subsequently taken by the student may be changed or deleted from the major.
Students should note that the approval of an individually designed major study program does not exempt the student from any university graduation requirement other than the requirement to complete a catalog major. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all other graduation requirements are met.
Early Alert
Early Alert at the College, in Winona, provides early intervention for students identified through the system as needing additional academic/personal support, and social engagement. The program works by identifying students, contacting them, and scheduling meetings to allow them to achieve their academic goals, as well as improve the retention and graduation rates.
Early Alert strives to:
● Increase student success in meeting their academic goals.
● Improve student persistence and graduation rates.
● Decrease the number of students on academic warning and probation.
● Increase communication between students, faculty, and advising professionals.
Student Success and First Generation Initiative Office
Alisa Macksey, Dean
The Student Success and First Generation Initiative Office acts as a vital and dynamic place on campus where professional staff members and peers support, mentor, and guide students throughout their college experience. Students use resources in academic advising, learning assistance, and accessibility services to build the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Academic Advising
Bethany Mota Gonzalez, Director
The academic advising staff works closely with faculty advisers, learning services, writing services, career services, access services, student affairs, and athletics to provide a comprehensive learning experience for all students. Advisers assist students with:
- Scheduling courses
- Declaring a major
- Evaluating completion of general education or major requirements
- Developing academic success strategies and life skills
- Participating in success initiatives
- Serving as a referral person to appropriate offices on campus
- Academic jeopardy and probation support
- University and course withdraw
Faculty Advisers
Faculty advisers participate in the advising program as first-year student advisers and/or major advisers. Faculty advisers are full-time faculty members who are familiar with courses, majors, and programs and who serve as a valuable resource for students. They assist students in:
- Planning their course schedules
- Developing an academic plan and education goals
- Assessing academic progress
- Helping with other college related concerns
- Serving as a referral person to appropriate offices on campus
Career Services & Internships and Field Exploration
Michael Hagarty, Director
The Career Services Office offers programs, activities, and resources in career readiness and job search skills to assist students in all majors to prepare for life after college. Services include:
• Courses for academic credit such as Career Exploration (for freshman and sophomores) and Career Strategies (for juniors and seniors)
• Assessments and career discernment
• Resources on choosing a major
• Internships and field explorations
• Resume review and development
• Job search strategies
• Career-readiness training
• Interview preparation and practice PLUS, a dedicated, reservable video interview room
• How to apply to graduate school
• Career fairs and employer relations
• Annual first destination reports
Access Services
Karen Hemker, Director
Access Services is a helpful resource for students at Saint Mary’s who have disabilities. It is the responsibility of students to seek available assistance and to request reasonable accommodations through the Director of Access Services. The Director will then evaluate documentation, determine appropriate accommodations, and act as a resource/advocate to assist students with accessibility in their academic courses and to ensure equality of opportunity. Qualified students may receive assistance with:
- Alternate format textbooks
- Assistive Technology
- Peer note takers
- Testing accommodations
Learning Assistance
Joseph Dulak, Director
Learning Services provides students with the tools necessary to become self-directed learners. Learning Services are free for all students. Through peer to peer interactions, students receive academic tutoring in most 100 and 200 level and selected upper level subject areas, learn study skills and strategies, and participate in workshops that guide the learning process. Services available to students include:
- Weekly tutoring, drop-in tutoring, and by appointment tutoring
- Academic counseling for assistance with study skills and strategies
International Programs
Tracy Lehnertz, Associate Dean of International Programs
The International Center includes Study Abroad, International Student Services, and the De LaSalle Language Institute. The associate dean also supports operations with the university’s partnership in Jamaica with the Catholic College of Mandeville
Study Abroad
Vicki McDonald, Coordinator
The Study Abroad Office encourages students to incorporate international study into their academic plans. Staff of the study abroad office is available to assist students during all stages of the study abroad experience, which includes exploring various options, applying to a program, preparing for international study and returning to campus. More information on study abroad offerings is included in the International Studies section.
International Student Services
Vicki McDonald, Coordinator
International Student Services provides specialized support and activities for all international students on the Winona campus, including those in the De LaSalle Language Institute. The programming includes the following areas of focus: welcome and orientation of new international students; immigration services for students; assistance in adjustment to life in the United Sates, on the Saint Mary’s campus and in the Winona community; opportunities for students to share their culture and knowledge with the campus and local community; educational, cultural, and social activities for international students; and advocacy of international students to others on campus and in the Winona community.
International Center
Rebecca Vogel, Director of De La Salle Language Institute
The De LaSalle Language Institute (DLI) offers the English Language Bridging (ELB) Program in addition to specialized advising for matriculated international students.
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