http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx News and Events at Minnesota State College Southeast. Copyright 2026 MSC Southeast. All rights reserved. Huth Named Outstanding Educator of the Year by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Winona and Red Wing, MN (April 24, 2026) – Band instrument repair instructor John Huth is Minnesota State College Southeast’s 2026 Outstanding Educator of the Year. He was among the college and university educators recognized by Chancellor Scott Olson and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees at a statewide awards ceremony held earlier this week.  Huth has taught instrument repair on Southeast’s Red Wing campus for 38 years.   “An accomplished trumpet player, nationally recognized within his field, Huth has taught more than 1,500 students the art of instrument repair, sharing his passion for music and taking a hands-on approach,” the Board of Trustees said in a statement.  Huth has also been chosen by his peers at the college to serve as this year’s Commencement Marshal. He will carry the ceremonial mace as he leads the academic procession at Southeast’s Commencement Ceremony, which will take place May 15 at Winona State University.  "It’s hard to imagine an instructor who has had more of an impact on the people in the field of band instrument repair than John Huth,” said Adam Potthast, Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Transfer at Southeast. “He is always thinking of his students and how to reach them better. Through his teaching, he’s guided hundreds of students to become craftspeople with incredible skill and allowed them to bring more music into the world.”   Huth arrived on campus in 1987 as an instructor of band instrument repair. Since 2003, he has served as the Coordinator of College Accreditation/Accreditation Liaison Officer for Southeast. He is a frequent clinician at the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) national conferences and has published several articles on instrument repair in TechniCom, the journal of NAPBIRT, as well as in other trade publications. In recent years, Huth has pioneered 3D printing techniques to create parts for instrument repair. Huth performs as a freelance trumpet player throughout the greater Twin Cities area.  In reflecting on his teaching career, Huth credits “99% of his successes” to collaborations with his peers and students and the benefits of working together to find solutions.   “John embodies all the best characteristics that the Minnesota State System looks to honor with these prestigious awards: a passion for teaching, dedication to his discipline and home institution, a focus on our students and their success, and innovation and scholarship within his field,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. “John’s contributions to Southeast extend well beyond his pedagogy and scholarship. He has provided exceptional leadership and service to the college through his extensive work in institutional effectiveness, campus engagement, and our accreditation process.”  Huth earned a Master of Music in trumpet from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green University and studied trumpet performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Huth Named Outstanding Educator of the Year by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Winona and Red Wing, MN (April 24, 2026) – Band instrument repair instructor John Huth is Minnesota State College Southeast’s 2026 Outstanding Educator of the Year. He was among the college and university educators recognized by Chancellor Scott Olson and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees at a statewide awards ceremony held earlier this week.  Huth has taught instrument repair on Southeast’s Red Wing campus for 38 years.   “An accomplished trumpet player, nationally recognized within his field, Huth has taught more than 1,500 students the art of instrument repair, sharing his passion for music and taking a hands-on approach,” the Board of Trustees said in a statement.  Huth has also been chosen by his peers at the college to serve as this year’s Commencement Marshal. He will carry the ceremonial mace as he leads the academic procession at Southeast’s Commencement Ceremony, which will take place May 15 at Winona State University.  "It’s hard to imagine an instructor who has had more of an impact on the people in the field of band instrument repair than John Huth,” said Adam Potthast, Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Transfer at Southeast. “He is always thinking of his students and how to reach them better. Through his teaching, he’s guided hundreds of students to become craftspeople with incredible skill and allowed them to bring more music into the world.”   Huth arrived on campus in 1987 as an instructor of band instrument repair. Since 2003, he has served as the Coordinator of College Accreditation/Accreditation Liaison Officer for Southeast. He is a frequent clinician at the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) national conferences and has published several articles on instrument repair in TechniCom, the journal of NAPBIRT, as well as in other trade publications. In recent years, Huth has pioneered 3D printing techniques to create parts for instrument repair. Huth performs as a freelance trumpet player throughout the greater Twin Cities area.  In reflecting on his teaching career, Huth credits “99% of his successes” to collaborations with his peers and students and the benefits of working together to find solutions.   “John embodies all the best characteristics that the Minnesota State System looks to honor with these prestigious awards: a passion for teaching, dedication to his discipline and home institution, a focus on our students and their success, and innovation and scholarship within his field,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. “John’s contributions to Southeast extend well beyond his pedagogy and scholarship. He has provided exceptional leadership and service to the college through his extensive work in institutional effectiveness, campus engagement, and our accreditation process.”  Huth earned a Master of Music in trumpet from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green University and studied trumpet performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music.... http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17409&blogid=148 Mon, 04 May 2026 11:41:23 GMT http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17409&blogid=148 Southeast Student Juggles Education with Commitment to Area Youth Red Wing, MN (May 4, 2026) – Alyvia Xiong loves working with Goodhue County youth so much; she didn’t want her college education to interfere with her work at a local nonprofit. Thanks to the Red Wing College Promise program, Xiong was able to attend Minnesota State College Southeast part time, while serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer at RiseUp Partnership, where she coordinates the youth council. Xiong discovered RiseUp while a junior at Red Wing High School. “I've always loved working with students and seeing their motivation to be even better adults,” said Xiong, who works closely with high school youth. “They have so much energy, they have so much life. They’re simply amazing. I 100% love the work.” Seeing how the students embrace new opportunities inspires Xiong. Jenna Collins, Director of Programs at RiseUp, first met Xiong when she started as a high school student, and serves as her current supervisor. “Alyvia has grown into a dynamic leader within our organization, taking on key roles such as leading the Community Youth Council (CYC),” Collins said. “One of Alyvia’s most impactful initiatives has been working to place youth on the boards of local nonprofit organizations, helping to shift systems toward more inclusive and youth-informed leadership. In addition, she has created meaningful volunteer opportunities for CYC members, keeping them actively engaged and connected to their community.” Xiong said her parents, who came to the United States as refugees from Laos more than 20 years ago, have always encouraged her and her three brothers and younger sister. “They are super supportive of my work and my education, because they want me to be better than them, but also a better version of myself,” Xiong said. Coming from a family of five siblings, Xiong acknowledged that divvying finances for everyone to attend college was a challenge. Her three older siblings attended Southeast, but she was the first in the family to have the benefit of the Red Wing College Promise, which was established in 2022. Without the financial support, Xiong said it is hard to imagine herself attending college, let alone continuing her work as an AmeriCorps volunteer. She’s grateful to the program’s donors for making this resource possible, as well as the flexible schedule and online courses at Southeast, which allow her to stay actively engaged with her volunteer work. Xiong said that her time at Southeast has allowed her to explore a range of subjects from managerial accounting to sociology. Along the way, she’s gained even more confidence and discovered a close-knit group of amazing professors and peers. After earning her associate degree in 2027, Xiong hopes to continue her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in youth studies at the University of Minnesota. Ultimately, she would like to continue working with youth and the community, while also being “open to gaining new experiences along the way.” Given her experience, she’s already encouraging the youth she works with to think about the Red Wing College Promise and pursuing their education at Southeast. “I found my passion here at Southeast,” Xiong said. “I get to work with the most amazing people in the community and work with the most amazing students.” Southeast Student Juggles Education with Commitment to Area Youth Red Wing, MN (May 4, 2026) – Alyvia Xiong loves working with Goodhue County youth so much; she didn’t want her college education to interfere with her work at a local nonprofit. Thanks to the Red Wing College Promise program, Xiong was able to attend Minnesota State College Southeast part time, while serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer at RiseUp Partnership, where she coordinates the youth council. Xiong discovered RiseUp while a junior at Red Wing High School. “I've always loved working with students and seeing their motivation to be even better adults,” said Xiong, who works closely with high school youth. “They have so much energy, they have so much life. They’re simply amazing. I 100% love the work.” Seeing how the students embrace new opportunities inspires Xiong. Jenna Collins, Director of Programs at RiseUp, first met Xiong when she started as a high school student, and serves as her current supervisor. “Alyvia has grown into a dynamic leader within our organization, taking on key roles such as leading the Community Youth Council (CYC),” Collins said. “One of Alyvia’s most impactful initiatives has been working to place youth on the boards of local nonprofit organizations, helping to shift systems toward more inclusive and youth-informed leadership. In addition, she has created meaningful volunteer opportunities for CYC members, keeping them actively engaged and connected to their community.” Xiong said her parents, who came to the United States as refugees from Laos more than 20 years ago, have always encouraged her and her three brothers and younger sister. “They are super supportive of my work and my education, because they want me to be better than them, but also a better version of myself,” Xiong said. Coming from a family of five siblings, Xiong acknowledged that divvying finances for everyone to attend college was a challenge. Her three older siblings attended Southeast, but she was the first in the family to have the benefit of the Red Wing College Promise, which was established in 2022. Without the financial support, Xiong said it is hard to imagine herself attending college, let alone continuing her work as an AmeriCorps volunteer. She’s grateful to the program’s donors for making this resource possible, as well as the flexible schedule and online courses at Southeast, which allow her to stay actively engaged with her volunteer work. Xiong said that her time at Southeast has allowed her to explore a range of subjects from managerial accounting to sociology. Along the way, she’s gained even more confidence and discovered a close-knit group of amazing professors and peers. After earning her associate degree in 2027, Xiong hopes to continue her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in youth studies at the University of Minnesota. Ultimately, she would like to continue working with youth and the community, while also being “open to gaining new experiences along the way.” Given her experience, she’s already encouraging the youth she works with to think about the Red Wing College Promise and pursuing their education at Southeast. “I found my passion here at Southeast,” Xiong said. “I get to work with the most amazing people in the community and work with the most amazing students.”... http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17408&blogid=148 Mon, 04 May 2026 11:38:40 GMT http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17408&blogid=148 Southeast Auto Body Student Takes First Place Winona, MN (March 30, 2026) – A Minnesota State College Southeast auto body student won first place in a Skills USA Auto Body Competition held at the 3M Skills Development Center in St. Paul this past weekend. Michael Stangler, a second-year student, took first place in the refinishing portion of the competition. Based on Saturday’s victory, Stangler now can advance to the Skills USA national competition scheduled in Atlanta in June. Stangler, from Utica, Minnesota, was one of four Southeast students to compete in the St. Paul round over the weekend. He currently works at the Lewiston Auto Body Shop and is pursuing his AAS degree in Auto Body Collision Technology. The competition features students competing in seven different areas, including sheet metal repair, welding, structural/mechanical, refinishing, plastic repair, job interview, and estimating. Students are scored for the overall competition as well as refinishing as a stand-alone competition. Southeast Auto Body Student Takes First Place Winona, MN (March 30, 2026) – A Minnesota State College Southeast auto body student won first place in a Skills USA Auto Body Competition held at the 3M Skills Development Center in St. Paul this past weekend. Michael Stangler, a second-year student, took first place in the refinishing portion of the competition. Based on Saturday’s victory, Stangler now can advance to the Skills USA national competition scheduled in Atlanta in June. Stangler, from Utica, Minnesota, was one of four Southeast students to compete in the St. Paul round over the weekend. He currently works at the Lewiston Auto Body Shop and is pursuing his AAS degree in Auto Body Collision Technology. The competition features students competing in seven different areas, including sheet metal repair, welding, structural/mechanical, refinishing, plastic repair, job interview, and estimating. Students are scored for the overall competition as well as refinishing as a stand-alone competition.... http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17383&blogid=148 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:32:08 GMT http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17383&blogid=148 New University Center Supports Students’ Academic Futures  Winona, MN (April 2, 2026) – Students at Minnesota State College Southeast have a new resource, one designed to help them build their academic pathway. Southeast will held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2 to mark the official opening of its new University Center. The newly renovated space on the college’s Winona campus provides students with a dedicated resource to meet with a transfer advisor or learn about the next steps in earning their bachelor’s degree. “Many of our students start at Southeast because they are not sure if post-secondary education is right for them,” said Kate Parsi, Director of Academic Support and Advising at Southeast. “Once they have success and start to thrive in our college setting, they gain the confidence to continue their education.” Southeast offers 12 transfer degree pathways, from accounting to business to criminal justice to psychology. Students earn their associate’s degrees at Southeast, then seamlessly transfer to any Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota, saving them time and money. In fiscal year 2026, 30% of Southeast’s enrolled students are majoring in one of the transfer degree pathway programs, and transfer degree students account for 20% of Southeast’s  graduates annually. The vast majority of Southeast transfer students continue their education at Winona State University. The University Center houses Southeast’s transfer advisor, Barb Nascak, who meets with students to ensure they are taking courses that will expedite the amount of time they need to earn their bachelor’s degree after they leave Southeast. Nascak’s position is funded by Southeast and Winona State University, and she splits her time between the two institutions. “This center is the realization of years of discussion and planning dating back to 2023,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. “Southeast serves as both the technical and community college for our region, and this space delivers on our promise to ensure every step in our students’ educational journey is simple and achievable. Our focus is on preparing our students to go on to earn their bachelor’s degrees.” The center offers students guidance on what courses to take, university connections and personalized support, whether they are already planning to continue their studies, or just starting to explore earning a bachelor’s degree. In addition to academic advising related to transfer planning, the center also hosts workshops and information sessions, provides support in applying to other universities and assistance with financial aid and scholarships. The center also provides a space where university representatives from across Minnesota can meet with prospective students. “Our goal with the University Center is to provide a place where our Southeast students can start strong, transfer seamlessly, and succeed anywhere,” Parsi said. New University Center Supports Students’ Academic Futures  Winona, MN (April 2, 2026) – Students at Minnesota State College Southeast have a new resource, one designed to help them build their academic pathway. Southeast will held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2 to mark the official opening of its new University Center. The newly renovated space on the college’s Winona campus provides students with a dedicated resource to meet with a transfer advisor or learn about the next steps in earning their bachelor’s degree. “Many of our students start at Southeast because they are not sure if post-secondary education is right for them,” said Kate Parsi, Director of Academic Support and Advising at Southeast. “Once they have success and start to thrive in our college setting, they gain the confidence to continue their education.” Southeast offers 12 transfer degree pathways, from accounting to business to criminal justice to psychology. Students earn their associate’s degrees at Southeast, then seamlessly transfer to any Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota, saving them time and money. In fiscal year 2026, 30% of Southeast’s enrolled students are majoring in one of the transfer degree pathway programs, and transfer degree students account for 20% of Southeast’s  graduates annually. The vast majority of Southeast transfer students continue their education at Winona State University. The University Center houses Southeast’s transfer advisor, Barb Nascak, who meets with students to ensure they are taking courses that will expedite the amount of time they need to earn their bachelor’s degree after they leave Southeast. Nascak’s position is funded by Southeast and Winona State University, and she splits her time between the two institutions. “This center is the realization of years of discussion and planning dating back to 2023,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. “Southeast serves as both the technical and community college for our region, and this space delivers on our promise to ensure every step in our students’ educational journey is simple and achievable. Our focus is on preparing our students to go on to earn their bachelor’s degrees.” The center offers students guidance on what courses to take, university connections and personalized support, whether they are already planning to continue their studies, or just starting to explore earning a bachelor’s degree. In addition to academic advising related to transfer planning, the center also hosts workshops and information sessions, provides support in applying to other universities and assistance with financial aid and scholarships. The center also provides a space where university representatives from across Minnesota can meet with prospective students. “Our goal with the University Center is to provide a place where our Southeast students can start strong, transfer seamlessly, and succeed anywhere,” Parsi said.... http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17382&blogid=148 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:51:05 GMT http://www.southeastmn.edu/news/blog.aspx?id=17382&blogid=148