Student Success Day

9:00 – 9:50 a.m. Sessions

Exercising Radical Happiness
Room: S240 (view building map)
Presented by: Vinod Gupta, CFP and Mountaineer

What is happiness? What is it for YOU? In this interactive session, you’ll learn what makes you most happy and how to exercise that happiness every day. Happy people are fun to work with, get faster promotions, make more money, and live healthier lives. Need more happiness in your life? Today’s the day to start!

Transferring to a Four-Year School
Room: S285 (view building map)
Presented by: Pam Lahti, Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions at St. Scholastica

Admissions representative, Pam Lahti from CSS will talk about the transfer process to a 4-year school, what to look for, tips, and scholarships. Learn about financial aid, the admissions process, visiting the schools, and more.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and YOU!
Room: Center for Equity and Inclusion (M120) (view building map)
Presented by: Sarah Lyons, Executive Diversity Officer

Did you know that LSC is actively working to make our campus more equitable and inclusive? Join us to find out about our new Center for Equity and Inclusion, cultural events on campus, and ways that you can promote inclusion in your classroom and community!

Writing your Identity
Room: C245 (view building map)
Presented by: Lindsy Mason, Liberal Arts and Science Faculty

This session will offer activities and prompts to help you connect with your own identity through creative writing activities and prompts. Bring a laptop or notebook and pen and be ready to have fun and play on the page!

Stop the Bleed
Room: S165 (view building map)
Presented by: Benjamin Evans, Fire Faculty, and the Fire Club Initiative

A brief tutorial on stopping a major bleed with props, videos, and a short lecture.

*CANCELLED* Repaying Student loans – and Other Financial Aid Questions
Room: S270 (view building map)
Presented by: Jessie Anderson, Financial Aid Specialist

Have you taken out a student loan? Or are you thinking about taking out student loans? Want to know more about student loan repayment. Come to our Q&A session to ask your burning questions about loan repayment, or any other questions you may have about financial aid.

Nursing Preceptor Course Informational Session for ICU and Medical-Surgical Nursing Preceptorships
Room: H305 (view building map)
Presented by: Joel Krochalk, Allied Health and Nursing Faculty

Nursing Preceptorships provide an opportunity for the nursing student to build confidence as they apply their knowledge and skills while working side by side with a Registered Nurse in a hospital, clinic or occupational setting. Come hear from a panel of LSC Nursing Alumni who once participated in a Nursing Preceptor Course.  Nursing Preceptorships are offered to 3rd and 4th semester Nursing Students.

LSC Career Services -Where to Start?!
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/99148323625
Presented by: Kaitlyn Steffen, Director of Career Services

Learn about all the different tools and resources that are available to you to help you be successful in obtaining a job after school. Learn about Handshake, InterviewStream, SuperStrong Interest Assessment, and where to start with your resume / cover letter!

Suicide Prevention for College Students – 120 mins (double session)
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://clovered-org.zoom.us/j/82702538669
Presented by: Erin Foley, PhD, and Alyssa Gilden, Clover Education Consulting Group

Over one third of college students report having seriously considering suicide in their lifetime. The Suicide Prevention for College Students training program was designed to provide college students with information about the warning signs of suicide, as well as how to intervene when indicated.

Essentia Endoscopy LPN (Procedural)
Room: L224 (view building map)
Presented by: Samuel Popham and Brittany Larson, Essentia Health

Start your LPN career with Essentia Health, the region’s largest healthcare employer. We need people who thrive in a fast paced, high skilled work environment. If you are ready to invest in learning about endoscopic equipment and supplies then we will invest time and effort to teach you!

MSUM DAP Program for Nursing Students
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/my/ericaevans
Presented by: Jill Holmstrom and Erica Evans, Nursing Faculty

Come learn about the benefits of the MSUM Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) for Lake Superior College Nursing Students. This session will inform you on how you can seamlessly transfer to MSUM for completion of your bachelor’s degree in nursing.

10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Sessions 

Business Professionals of America (BPA) Club Informational Meeting
Room: S260 (view building map)
Presented by: Lori Yecoshenko, Business and Industry Faculty

Do you have what it takes to join Business Professionals of America? Compete against top competitors around the US! Improve your resume! Make new friends! Prepare for and compete in over 90 assessment areas including: Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Digital Communication & Design, Management, Marketing, & Communication.

Career Laddering in the Medical Laboratory: Attractive Job Opportunities for Science-Focused Students
Room: S253 and Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/94511588306
Presented by: Virginia Haynes, Program Director, Allied Health and Nursing

Are you looking for a health career that is heavily science based, interesting, with a lot of variety and activity? The medical laboratory might be for you. Laboratory work affects every single patient that enters the hospital or a clinic but no one ever sees the people who work in the lab. Rarely are patients aware of the detailed and critical work that laboratory personnel perform on their behalf every day. The laboratory field is growing faster than workers can be trained so there are many opportunities to join this amazing and growing field. From phlebotomy to working in transfusion service or analyzing specimens for leukemia, infections and biochemical signals that indicate disease to histological work preparing biopsy specimens to determine the presence or absence of cancer, there is a wide variety of options for hard-working, focused students. Come and learn about all the different aspects of the lab and interact with a panel of guests from local hospitals, program graduates, current students and faculty.

Bridges to Baccalaureate Program
Room: L205 (view building map)
Presented by: Terrence Wilcox, Liberal Arts and Science Faculty

Bridges to Baccalaureate program is an NIH grant that allows community college students the opportunity to do undergraduate research in all STEM and social science fields.

High-performance Computing (HPC) Technology
Room: T170 (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/6210664045
Presented by: Bob Dreis, Nor-Tech, Senior HPC Manager, Anup Parajuli and CIS faculty

This presentation provides participants exposure to the high-performance computing technology dealt by organizations’ IT departments.  As you can imagine, they operate very differently from each other.  One consistent variable across the board is the lack of knowledge/exposure to high-performance computing.  IT departments just don’t understand the technology and this presentation provides information about the hardware, software technology used with real life examples.

Making Success Happen
Room: S240 (view building map)
Presented by: Vinod Gupta, CFP and Mountaineer

“Success” doesn’t just happen; it’s a valuable skill that can be learned. During this interactive session, you’ll learn what you’re most passionate about and how that passion can drive you to work hard for your goals. We all want to be successful, and there are concrete steps you can take NOW to get there. Come to this session and learn how.

Creating a Path to Financial Success
Room: C243 (view building map)
Presented by: Anna Nelson, Membership Development Coordinator at Members Cooperative Credit Union

In this presentation, Anna covers the basics of finance and managing your money. We will touch base on how to budget, manage credit scores, debt and more. Anna will provide tips and tricks to help you make a plan for your money to set yourself up for success.

Nursing Preceptor Course Informational Session for ICU and Medical-Surgical Nursing Preceptorships
Room: H305 (view building map)
Presented by: Joel Krochalk, Allied Health and Nursing Faculty

Nursing Preceptorships provide an opportunity for the nursing student to build confidence as they apply their knowledge and skills while working side by side with a Registered Nurse in a hospital, clinic or occupational setting. Come hear from a panel of LSC Nursing Alumni who once participated in a Nursing Preceptor Course.  Nursing Preceptorships are offered to 3rd and 4th semester Nursing Students.

Demystifying Credit
Room: L222 (view building map)
Presented by: Amanda Bruggman, Affinity Plus Duluth Branch Manager

Have no credit? Bad Credit? Everyone starts somewhere! And no matter your starting point- we can help get you to your goal! We will talk about all things credit. How is your score compiled, why is your score different based on who pulls it, does it always hurt your credit to have it pulled? This and a whole lot more! Highly interactive (if you want) – and there will be prizes at the end! Plus, snacks. Because…snacks!

Speed on our Roads: Let’s Chat About it.
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/95095840461
Presented by: Holly Kostrzewski, TZD Coordinator

Minnesota crashes have risen in the past two years. Please come share your thoughts, concerns and learn how to become a better driver.

Campus Trail Hike
Room: Meet outside the Center for Equity and Inclusion (M120) (view building map)
Presented by: Steve Dalager

Weather-permitting, we will go on a hike on the Campus Trails. Bring a jacket and a smile!

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm. Keynote Speaker

*Introduction by the President and Vice President of the Student Senate* 

Keynote Speaker: John Kriesel
Room: LSC Commons
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 884 121 6783
Passcode: 92921

“Still Standing. Still Smiling.”

While serving in the Army in Iraq, John Kriesel survived a roadside bombing that claimed his legs and two buddies. He went on to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives and write “Still Standing: The Story of SSG John Kriesel.” Today he is director of veterans’ services for a county in suburban Minneapolis and a part-time personality on KFAN Radio. He regularly shares his powerful message of hope and the value of a positive attitude to overcome any challenge. 

John Kriesel may have lost his legs and three close buddies in Iraq, but he came home with a powerful message of hope and living testimony to the value of a positive attitude to overcome any challenge. John served as a NATO peacekeeper in Kosovo in 2004 before volunteering for deployment to Iraq. On December 2, 2006 his team struck an improvised explosive device (IED) and he was not expected to survive. He died three times in the operating room, but 35 surgeries and nine months later he walked out of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He retired as a sta­ sergeant following 10 years in the Army National Guard receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other awards. In 2010 he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives but decided not to seek re-election when his family said they wanted to spend more time with him. He is director of veterans’ services for a County in Suburban Minneapolis, MN, a part-time personality on KFAN Radio, motivational speaker, and co-author of the book, “Still Standing: The Story of SSG John Kriesel,” republished in 2018 and winner of 8 national book awards.

1:00 – 1:50 p.m. Sessions

The Masked Ping Pong Champ
Room: LSC Atrium (view building map)
Presented by: Steve Dalager, Bryan Stark, Nathan Bronk

This is a ping pong tournament of epic proportions. All players of all skill levels and all genders and all paddles are welcome.  Sign up in the Atrium during the morning and show up to play at 1:00. Prizes for the top three finalists. It’s the best!

RN to BS Online Nursing Program at St. Scholastica
Room: L205 (view building map)
Presented by: Jay Parsons, College of St. Scholastica

Learn more about St. Scholastica’s RN to BS 100% Online Nursing program built for working nurses. You will learn about our convenient delivery, multiple starts and how you’ll earn college credit for your work experience, all at an affordable cost. Scholarships, discounts, and tuition reimbursement will also be shared!

LSC LGBTQ+ Meet and Greet: Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Club
Room: Center for Equity and Inclusion (M120) (view building map)
Presented by: Lindsy Mason & the LGBTQ+ Club

Join the LGBTQ+ Club for casual conversation and maybe a game or two! This is open to members of the LGBTQ+ campus community as well as allies and is a great opportunity to meet people, connect, and let your voice be heard about issues and ideas that are important to you.

Animal Allies Humane Society: How YOU Can Make a Difference!
Room: S165 (view building map)
Presented by: Nicole Facciotto, Animal Allies Humane Society

Learn how you can get involved with Animal Allies Humane Society here in Duluth, MN. Volunteer, internship and career opportunities will all be discussed! Shelter animals will make an appearance!

The Science of Manifestation
Room: S240 (view building map)
Presented by: Vinod Gupta, CFP and Mountaineer

What is stopping you from getting what you want in life? The science of Manifestation discusses four pillars that can help you manifest anything in your life. The four pillars: Goal, Attention, Repetition, and Celebration. We will go in detail for each pillar. When you follow the science about these pillars, the probability of success is much greater. The speaker will talk about his four resolutions for 2021 and apply these four pillars of manifestation to these resolutions.

Support Mental Health at LSC and Become a Part of the Bandana Project Team!
Room: S255 and Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98559093887
Presented by: Marie D Carter Brooks, LSC Counselor & Roxanne Frederick, LSC Health Educator

This session will provide information on the Bandana Project at LSC. The Bandana Project is a suicide prevention and mental health awareness movement that gives students and staff tangible resources and tools to help one another. The project works against stigma and reinforces solidarity in mental health awareness using the VAR (validate, appreciate, & refer) training.

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate: Board Gaming Session in Erickson Library!
Room: L177 in Erickson Library (view building map)
Presented by: Kate Rolfe, Librarian

It’s like D&D in board game form! Never Split the Party…Unless Someone is the Traitor! The shadow of Bhaal has come over Baldur’s Gate, summoning monsters and other horrors from the darkness! As you build and explore the iconic city’s dark alleys and deadly catacombs, you must work with your fellow adventurers to survive the terrors ahead. Sponsored by Student Life and Erickson Library.

Demystifying Credit Cards
Room: L222 (view building map)
Presented by: Amanda Bruggman, Affinity Plus Duluth Branch Manager

Ever wondered how to make a credit card work for you? Heard horror stories from others about them? Or anything in between? This session is for you! We will talk about all things credit cards! Highly interactive (if you want) – and there will be prizes at the end! Plus, snacks. Because…snacks!

The 10 Myths of MNsure: myth-busting with MNsure navigators
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93579766660
Presented by: Megan Halena and Caitlin Vander Wal from Generations Health Care Initiatives

Are you uninsured? Are you covered by your parents’ health insurance, and wondering what to do when it ends? Cut through the confusion with the help of MNsure navigators. Come with your questions!

Understanding your Degree Requirements: How to make sure you get to the finish line with all the right classes
Room: Testing Center (S170) (view building map)
Presented by: Emily Chapinski, Director of Academic Advising and/or Academic Advisor

Understanding your degree requirements will ensure that you graduate on time and without taking any courses you don’t need. This session will teach you how to read your Degree Audit Report (DARS) and help you create a plan to keep you on track towards graduation.

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Session

Paint a mural: LSC Active Minds Mental Health Mural
Room: T245 (view building map)
Presented by: Peter Spooner, Liberal Arts and Science Faculty & Roxanne Frederick, Student Life Health Services Coordinator

Participants will be able to express their own experience around mental health through painting while learning about Active Minds efforts at LSC. No art experience is expected, just bring an open mind! This unique project brings together mental health awareness and supports efforts with creative expression. The Disability Mural Project, a version of which was created in Duluth, serves as a model.  All are welcome! Participants may be individuals who have any form of mental, intellectual, or emotional struggle, or a caregiver, loved one or family member of someone else. After the workshops, the tiles will be exhibited together in quilt fashion, to reflect the strength, diversity, and experience of those who made them.

Painting kits will be available for pick up in Student Life for those who wish to do on their own. They will include paint brushes, acrylic paint, paint tile, and instructions.

Assume Nothing!
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98320066074
Passcode: 246309
Presented by: Kelli Hallsten Erickson, Faculty

Assumptions are flying around all over the place on campus…things faculty assume about their students, and things students assume about faculty. In this session, Kelli will describe some of the major things teachers assume students know or will do, and she will also ask students to share things they might assume about their teachers so she can talk about those things with the faculty. Let’s dispel some myths and learn to communicate better so we can have great experiences in our classes!

A Brief History of Vaccines and COVID-19
Room: L205 (view building map)
Presented by: Bill Heider, Faculty

Last Spring, I presented a session about the concept of “Herd Immunity” and the calculations that lead to achieving “Herd Immunity”.  This session is a follow – up to that session.  I will cover the history of vaccines, in particular the story of the smallpox vaccine, and relate this to the current Covid – 19 Pandemic.

Animal Allies Humane Society: How YOU Can Make a Difference!
Room: S165 (view building map)
Presented by: Nicole Facciotto, Animal Allies Humane Society

Learn how you can get involved with Animal Allies Humane Society here in Duluth, MN. Volunteer, internship and career opportunities will all be discussed! Shelter animals will make an appearance!

Support Mental Health at LSC and Become a Part of the Bandana Project Team!
Room: S255 and Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98559093887
Presented by: Marie D Carter Brooks, LSC Counselor & Roxanne Frederick, LSC Health Educator

This session will provide information on the Bandana Project at LSC.  The Bandana Project is a suicide prevention and mental health awareness movement that gives students and staff tangible resources and tools to help one another.  The project works against stigma and reinforces solidarity in mental health awareness using the VAR (validate, appreciate, & refer) training.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – What is it? Why is it important?
Room: S270 (view building map)
Presented by: Carly Beckwith

Minnesota State now has a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security feature available to students! MFA is extra security to help protect your information. Attend the session to learn more about what is MFA, why it is important, and how to enable it for your LSC Office 365 and Email. It is easy – sign in, verify, and get access!

LSC Career Services -Where to Start?!
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93557554064
Presented by: Kaitlyn Steffen, Director of Career Services

Learn about all the different tools and resources that are available to you to help you be successful in obtaining a job after school. Learn about Handshake, InterviewStream, SuperStrong Interest Assessment, and where to start with your resume / cover letter!

Understanding your Degree Requirements: How to make sure you get to the finish line with all the right classes
Room: Testing Center (S170) (view building map)
Presented by: Emily Chapinski, Director of Academic Advising and/or Academic Advisor

Understanding your degree requirements will ensure that you graduate on time and without taking any courses you don’t need. This session will teach you how to read your Degree Audit Report (DARS) and help you create a plan to keep you on track towards graduation.

MSUM DAP Program for Nursing Students
Room: Online, or go to S245, S265, S275, or L261 to use a computer (view building map)
https://minnstate.zoom.us/my/ericaevans
Presented by: Jill Holmstrom and Erica Evans, Nursing Faculty

Come learn about the benefits of the MSUM Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) for Lake Superior College Nursing Students. This session will inform you on how you can seamlessly transfer to MSUM for completion of your bachelor’s degree in nursing.