Skip to content
Search Icon
SEARCH
SMSU Welcome Entrance

Your Southwest Story Starts Here

The Mustang Family is proud of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, each with an amazing story to share. Their stories illustrate the possibilities that are within your reach.

Choose a story and click the button to read more about people who started their journey at SMSU, just like you.

Your own success story starts right here.

Featured Story

southweststories-kassandra-headshot-3047.jpg

Melinda Kassandra Lopez

RN to BSN

Filter
Background - Leah Bittner
Leah Bittner

Leah Bittner

'22 Alum

Nursing: RN to BSN

"The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student."

Location

Crookston, MN

Occupation

Health Services Specialist–RN

Background - Emily Daniels
Emily Daniels

Emily Daniels

Junior

Hometown

East Bethel, MN

Related Areas

Department of Fine Arts and Communication, Communication Studies

Background - MacKenzie Kallevig
MacKenzie Kallevig

MacKenzie Kallevig

Class of '23

Computer Science

Hometown

Palm Harbor, FL

Related Areas

Computer Science, Athletics

Background - Melinda Kassandra Lopez
Melinda Kassandra Lopez

Melinda Kassandra Lopez

'20 Alum

RN to BSN

"“As a non-traditional student I didn’t feel that was anything that hindered my success. SMSU embraced that I was different.” “SMSU provided me with the tools and resources that I needed to come out of school and feel confident going into the workforce and serve my community.” "

Hometown

Truman, MN

Background - Meghan Beckendorf
Meghan Beckendorf

Meghan Beckendorf

'21 Alum

Agricultural Education

"As an Ag Educator you teach a wide variety of classes; no day is the same and that’s the reason I love it. "

Background - Erin Richardson
Erin Richardson

Erin Richardson

Senior

"I transferred to SMSU because I wanted to be at a smaller school with a more comfortable learning environment. The professors (at SMSU) have been really great and I have had an opportunity for a more personalized education. "

Hometown

Tracy, MN

Background - Rebecca Manteuffel
Rebecca Manteuffel

Rebecca Manteuffel

Sophomore

Hometown

Cologne, MN

Related Areas

Department of Education, Education

Background - Bryan Peralta Garces
Bryan Peralta Garces

Bryan Peralta Garces

Sophomore

"I am active in the United States Army Reserve and often times I have to miss class. But at SMSU, the professors are flexible with my schedule which allows me to be a full-time student and fulfill my military obligations."

Hometown

Farmington, MN

Background - Charlie Vang
Charlie Vang

Charlie Vang

Junior

"“The professors at SMSU are really dedicated in their work. They really care for you personally and they also have an open-door policy where you can go in and talk to them about class-related work or just about your personal life. As a student I am really appreciative to that support and dedication that they have to my education.”"

Hometown

Walnut Grove, MN

Background - Bridget DuBrey
Bridget DuBrey

Bridget DuBrey

Senior

Related Areas

Environmental Science

Background - Emma Grote
Emma Grote

Emma Grote

Senior

"As a student, coming to SMSU for exercise science is huge because all of your professors truly care about you. They push you in the classroom and you will have some difficult classes, but that is what will make you a good candidate for grad school."

Hometown

Blair, NE

Background - Isiah Whitlock
Isiah Whitlock

Isiah Whitlock

'76 Alum

Speech Communications: Theatre Arts

"Southwest prepared me. When I went to get my master’s at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, I look back and think the professors at Southwest were just as good as those I’ve met anywhere, and I’m even talking New York. Southwest was a wonderful place for me."

Location

New York, NY

Occupation

Professional Actor

Background - Satyajit Dattagupta
Satyajit Dattagupta

Satyajit Dattagupta

'04 Alum

Computer Science

"I learned the science of data as an undergraduate and the art of recruiting with my MBA degree. There’s a big demand now for people who can understand data and use it to make decisions."

Location

New Orleans, LA

Occupation

Vice President for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admission

Background - Tyler Bowen
Tyler Bowen

Tyler Bowen

'95 Alum

Hotel Restaurant Administration

"My Southwest experience has taught me the value of a liberal arts education and that has allowed me to gain employment in areas that I did not directly study in school. The exposure to business, critical thinking, speech, education, travel and the arts has opened many doors and has enhanced my personal and professional life."

Location

Sioux Falls, MN

Occupation

Senior Vice President, Manager of Trust & Investment Department, First Dakota National Bank

Background - Aaron Bible
Aaron Bible

Aaron Bible

Senior

Hometown

St. Cloud, MN

Related Areas

Department of Science, Exercise Science

Background - Sean Kofi Amegashie
Sean Kofi Amegashie

Sean Kofi Amegashie

Senior

Hometown

Brooklyn Park, MN

Related Areas

Environmental Science, Department of Science

Background - Samantha Hotzler
Samantha Hotzler

Samantha Hotzler

Junior

Hometown

Walnut Grove, MN

Related Areas

Music, Department of Fine Arts and Communication

Background - Jason Klimavicz
Jason Klimavicz

Jason Klimavicz

Junior

Hometown

Hayfield, MN

Related Areas

Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Culinology and Hospitality Management

Background - Jacob Evans
Jacob Evans

Jacob Evans

Senior

Hometown

Pipestone, MN

Related Areas

Exercise Science, Department of Science

Background - Hannah Rick
Hannah Rick

Hannah Rick

Junior

Hometown

Milbank, SD

Related Areas

Education, Department of Education

Background - Hanna Vos
Hanna Vos

Hanna Vos

Freshman

Hometown

Kingsley, IA

Related Areas

Sociology, College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies, Communication Studies, Career Services

Background - Gabby Power
Gabby Power

Gabby Power

Senior

Hometown

Readlyn, IA

Related Areas

School of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Culinology and Hospitality Management, Agricultural Education

Background - Fatou Kinteh
Fatou Kinteh

Fatou Kinteh

Junior

Hometown

Gambia, West Africa

Related Areas

Political Science, Department of Social Science

Background - Fadumo Ismail
Fadumo Ismail

Fadumo Ismail

Junior

Hometown

Marshall, MN

Related Areas

Department of Science, Biology

Background - Brock Buysse
Brock Buysse

Brock Buysse

Senior

Hometown

Minneota, MN

Related Areas

Department of Management and Marketing, Marketing, Management

Background - Ola Abimbola
Ola Abimbola

Ola Abimbola

Senior

Hometown

Oyo, Nigeria

Related Areas

Environmental Science, Department of Science

Background - Laurie Ourada
Laurie Ourada

Laurie Ourada

Senior

Hometown

Lucan, MN

Related Areas

Sociology, Department of Social Science

Background - Hallie Will
Hallie Will

Hallie Will

Junior

Hometown

Windom, MN

Related Areas

Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture

Background - Crystal Enga
Crystal Enga

Crystal Enga

Senior

Hometown

Marshall, MN

Related Areas

Early Childhood Education, Department of Education

Background - Bashir Aidrus
Bashir Aidrus

Bashir Aidrus

Senior

Hometown

Waite Park, MN

Related Areas

Management, Department of Management and Marketing

Background - Austin Machmiller
Austin Machmiller

Austin Machmiller

Junior

Hometown

Renner, SD

Related Areas

School of Agriculture, Agribusiness Management

Background - Vaughn Gehle
Vaughn Gehle

Vaughn Gehle

'82 Alum

Biology

"When I began graduate school, I was afraid I wouldn’t measure up to my peers, who had graduated from some prestigious colleges and universities. I discovered my SMSU liberal arts education and Biology major coursework made me an intellectual equal to those who had paid much more for their education. SMSU gave me a world-class education at a community college cost."

Location

Marshall, MN

Occupation

Associate Professor of Biology

Background - Michael Walker
Michael Walker

Michael Walker

'98 Alum

Physical Education: Teaching

"My SMSU professors were committed to my success and went the extra mile to ensure I was taking care of business. Athletic participation in basketball also helped me develop dedication, determination, and drive – qualities that transfer to the workplace."

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Occupation

Director, Office of Black Male Student Achievement, Minneapolis Public Schools

Background - Kayleigh Karppinen
Kayleigh Karppinen

Kayleigh Karppinen

'08 Alum

Sociology

"Graduating from SMSU means that I have a face to go with the names of most of my classmates. I also learned that leaving a good impression on others can have a long-lasting impact."

Location

Minnetonka, MN

Occupation

Human Resource Generalist, Opportunity Partners

Background - Erin Lind
Erin Lind

Erin Lind

'01 Alum

Sports Management

"It’s not about what I learned in Accounting 101 or Sports Law, although I enjoyed my experience in the classroom. It’s the experiences I had that taught me how to handle adversity, how to manage my success and failures, and how to communicate with diverse groups. My experiences taught me to have the highest level of expectation for myself and others."

Location

Burnsville, MN

Occupation

NSIC Commissioner

Background - David Verkinderen
David Verkinderen

David Verkinderen

'90 Alum

Business Administration

"Getting my degree from SMSU allowed me to stay close to home, get a great education at a very affordable price, and play two college sports. SMSU continues to be a part of my career, as many of our best and brightest employees come from a University that I believe in."

Location

Marshall, MN

Occupation

Senior Vice President, US Bank

Background - Darlene Sparkman
Darlene Sparkman

Darlene Sparkman

'05 Alum

Chemistry & Business Administration: Finance

"I have experienced many levels of education, but none filled with more supportive or genuinely caring individuals than SMSU faculty, whose focus was always to make their students successful."

Location

Waco, TX

Occupations

Plastic Surgeon at Baylor Scott & White Health, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery – Texas A&M

Background - Clare Duwelius
Clare Duwelius

Clare Duwelius

'14 Alum

Master of Business Administration: Leadership

"I feel that the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration from SMSU allowed me to chase my dream of finding a sports management career path that has been truly satisfying. I hope to lend guidance and assist with the development of young women and men who also have a vision and belief in their abilities to make a difference in their chosen field, just as I was afforded in my years at SMSU. "

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Occupation

Assistant General Manager – Minnesota Lynx

Background - Bruce Saugstad
Bruce Saugstad

Bruce Saugstad

'89 Alum

Computer Science

"My professors prepared me for my career. I met my wife and other life-long friends. As a captain of the football team, I learned leadership qualities, time management, and the value of hard work and persistence."

Location

Marshall, MN

Occupation

Senior Vice President & General Manager Ice Cream Division, Schwan’s Company

Background - Andrea Kopfmann
Andrea Kopfmann

Andrea Kopfmann

'07 Alum

Speech Communications: Radio/TV

"I learned to work toward deadlines and honed my organizational and professional skills. Many of my SMSU friends are still a part of my life. I had a blast at SMSU; it really fit my personality."

Location

St. Paul, MN

Occupation

Director of Campaigns & Partnerships, Give MN

Background - Abbie Allison
Abbie Allison

Abbie Allison

'10 Alum

Hospitality Management: Hotel and Event Management

"SMSU taught me to be a confident leader. I learned that having qualities such as enthusiasm, commitment, determination and patience are important skills for a successful career in any field, and in life in general."

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Occupation

Group Rooms Coordinator at DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington Minneapolis South