Alumni - Where did they go?

Dear Alumni,

As a part of our effort to stay in contact with our former students, we are in the process of updating our alumni database. We would like to find as many of you as we can. Please consider providing us some information about yourself, we are basically looking for background and contact information and would like to hear any news that you want to share with us.

Please follow this link to the survey (it takes approximately 2 minutes):

Take the Survey!

Or send us an email: RTTROffice@winona.edu

We hope you are well and look forward to hearing from you.

	Chris Nelson Recreation Activities Manager \| Key Largo, Florida An RTTR Alum was recently promoted to be one of the youngest managers at Ocean Reef Club. He spoke at a conference and gave a presentation (PDF) about his job and how his experience at Winona State brought him to where he is today. He credits much of his success to Dr. Riley.
	Linsy Hoosier Operations Assistant \| Rochester, MN An RTTR Alum was recently hired as an Operations Assistant at her internship site, Rochester Amateur Sports Commission. She completed her internship last spring semester and graduated in May. "Everything about being an RTTR major changed who I am today," Linsy said. The Post Bulletin also wrote an article about her successes.
	Lissa Martinez Volunteer Coordinator \| Minneapolis, MN Lissa interned with Marriott hotels before graduating, and was offered a full-time position after graduation. In July of 2015, however, Lissa began work with the National MS Society in Minneapolis. While non-profits were not something she thought of as a student in the RTTR program, she is very happy with her job and the skills she learned through the program, specifically in the Therapeutic Recreation courses. Lissa says, "I am so grateful for all of the successes in my professional career and I owe it all to the courses, professors, and opportunities presented to me while I was an RTTR student at Winona State.”
	James Reidy IV Activities Director \| Vermejo, New Mexico James is working his 16th season at the 592,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico. James is in charge of all hospitality-division activities and all of the staff running them. Even though managing many people can be tough, he is glad to share his passion for the outdoors with people of all ages. James says, "I've been fortunate being able to make my way of life be my job."
	Tom Wetor Assistant Manager of Operations \| Wrangell, Alaska Tom works with the wilderness therapy program, Alaska Crossings, a program designed for teenagers exclusively from the state of Alaska. It is the only wilderness therapy program in the country that is funded through Medicaid in addition to being the largest ocean canoeing outfitter in North America. Tom’s responsibilities include managing electronics, gear and food supplies; hiring and training guides; reviewing and updating manuals; and managing expedition coordinators. “My experience in the RTTR department at Winona State was critical to my development as an outdoor professional,” Tom said.
	Elizabeth Barlow Marketing and Sales Manager \| Juneau, Alaska Elizabeth recently accepted a new position with Above and Beyond Alaska, a wilderness trip company. She develops and maintains current tours in addition to marketing and selling them through shore excursions on board cruises and onshore vendors. Elizabeth was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Juneau’s Visitor and Convention Bureau. “The education I received through the RT department started and helped develop my passion for the Tourism industry,” Elizabeth said. “The ability that we have as professionals to impact visitors, friends, and families, while creating lasting memories that they take with them, is pretty amazing.”
	John Haldeman Community Recreation Specialist \| Saint Paul, Minnesota John graduated in 2012 with a degree in Recreation and Tourism and an emphasis in the Community and Non-Profit area. He executes the daily operations of Northwest Como Recreation Center for over 4000 users annually and manages in-house sports, camps, classes, staffing, facility maintenance, and community engagement.
	Sierra Meyer Volunteer Services and Seasonal Recruitment Coordinator \| Plymouth, Minnesota Sierra graduated in 2015 and now works with True Friends nonprofit camps, which are designed for individuals with disabilities. Some of her responsibilities include recruiting volunteers and summer staff by attending college job fairs and presenting in classrooms; interviewing and hiring summer staff; and overseeing four administrative interns over the summer months. What Sierra enjoys the most about her job is interacting outside with campers and seeing the smiles on their faces throughout the week.
	Kristin Mae Seifert Recreation Coordinator \| La Crosse, Wisconsin Kristin graduated in 2013 with a degree in Recreation and Tourism and a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She works for Chileda, a nonprofit residential facility for children with cognitive and behavioral challenges. Kristin plans an array of activities to promote and expand children’s independent leisure lifestyles, appropriate social and peer interactions, and community integration.
	Cassidy Kotenbeutel Primary Behavior Therapist \| Winona, Minnesota Cassidy graduated in 2016 and now works for the autism therapy center, Partners in Excellence, which implements treatment programs for children ages 1-10. She programs for clients by assessing them and developing their Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional and Program Team Lead. Cassidy also provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to clients and trains new behavior therapists.
	Jessica McCoy Recreational Therapist \| Minneapolis, Minnesota Jessica graduated in 2016 and today works with Inpatient Psychiatry in Hennepin County Medical Center. Her responsibilities include facilitating group activities to help develop and strengthen a variety of skills for individuals with mild to persistent mental illness; working to increase awareness of community resources; meeting with patients one on one; documenting interactions with patients; and reporting progress in interdisciplinary team meetings.
	Clarissa Schrooten Naturalist \| Byron, MN Clarissa graduated in 2006 and now works with Olmsted County Parks, which includes Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Her position as naturalist encompasses many responsibilities including zoo keeper, nature educator, zoo staff supervisor, volunteer coordinator, animal collection curator, education and program coordinator. “I have a very rewarding and enjoyable career,” Clarissa said.
	Emily Jensrud Activities Assistant Director and Volunteer Coordinator \| Duluth, Minnesota Emily graduated in 2017 and today works at the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center, a long-term care facility with a rehabilitation short-term unit. She develops programs and activities for the residents with a focus on the dementia unit and also recruits volunteers from the community. In addition to this position, Emily also works at the Duluth Area YMCA as the Environmental Youth Specialist. She helps provide outdoor education and recreational activities to youth through the Outdoor Club. “I am able to show and explain my passion for the environment in the hopes that the children will find a similar connection,” Emily said.

	Chris Nelson Recreation Activities Manager \| Key Largo, Florida An RTTR Alum was recently promoted to be one of the youngest managers at Ocean Reef Club. He spoke at a conference and gave a presentation (PDF) about his job and how his experience at Winona State brought him to where he is today. He credits much of his success to Dr. Riley.
	Linsy Hoosier Operations Assistant \| Rochester, MN An RTTR Alum was recently hired as an Operations Assistant at her internship site, Rochester Amateur Sports Commission. She completed her internship last spring semester and graduated in May. "Everything about being an RTTR major changed who I am today," Linsy said. The Post Bulletin also wrote an article about her successes.
	Lissa Martinez Volunteer Coordinator \| Minneapolis, MN Lissa interned with Marriott hotels before graduating, and was offered a full-time position after graduation. In July of 2015, however, Lissa began work with the National MS Society in Minneapolis. While non-profits were not something she thought of as a student in the RTTR program, she is very happy with her job and the skills she learned through the program, specifically in the Therapeutic Recreation courses. Lissa says, "I am so grateful for all of the successes in my professional career and I owe it all to the courses, professors, and opportunities presented to me while I was an RTTR student at Winona State.”
	James Reidy IV Activities Director \| Vermejo, New Mexico James is working his 16th season at the 592,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico. James is in charge of all hospitality-division activities and all of the staff running them. Even though managing many people can be tough, he is glad to share his passion for the outdoors with people of all ages. James says, "I've been fortunate being able to make my way of life be my job."
	Tom Wetor Assistant Manager of Operations \| Wrangell, Alaska Tom works with the wilderness therapy program, Alaska Crossings, a program designed for teenagers exclusively from the state of Alaska. It is the only wilderness therapy program in the country that is funded through Medicaid in addition to being the largest ocean canoeing outfitter in North America. Tom’s responsibilities include managing electronics, gear and food supplies; hiring and training guides; reviewing and updating manuals; and managing expedition coordinators. “My experience in the RTTR department at Winona State was critical to my development as an outdoor professional,” Tom said.
	Elizabeth Barlow Marketing and Sales Manager \| Juneau, Alaska Elizabeth recently accepted a new position with Above and Beyond Alaska, a wilderness trip company. She develops and maintains current tours in addition to marketing and selling them through shore excursions on board cruises and onshore vendors. Elizabeth was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Juneau’s Visitor and Convention Bureau. “The education I received through the RT department started and helped develop my passion for the Tourism industry,” Elizabeth said. “The ability that we have as professionals to impact visitors, friends, and families, while creating lasting memories that they take with them, is pretty amazing.”
	John Haldeman Community Recreation Specialist \| Saint Paul, Minnesota John graduated in 2012 with a degree in Recreation and Tourism and an emphasis in the Community and Non-Profit area. He executes the daily operations of Northwest Como Recreation Center for over 4000 users annually and manages in-house sports, camps, classes, staffing, facility maintenance, and community engagement.
	Sierra Meyer Volunteer Services and Seasonal Recruitment Coordinator \| Plymouth, Minnesota Sierra graduated in 2015 and now works with True Friends nonprofit camps, which are designed for individuals with disabilities. Some of her responsibilities include recruiting volunteers and summer staff by attending college job fairs and presenting in classrooms; interviewing and hiring summer staff; and overseeing four administrative interns over the summer months. What Sierra enjoys the most about her job is interacting outside with campers and seeing the smiles on their faces throughout the week.
	Kristin Mae Seifert Recreation Coordinator \| La Crosse, Wisconsin Kristin graduated in 2013 with a degree in Recreation and Tourism and a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She works for Chileda, a nonprofit residential facility for children with cognitive and behavioral challenges. Kristin plans an array of activities to promote and expand children’s independent leisure lifestyles, appropriate social and peer interactions, and community integration.
	Cassidy Kotenbeutel Primary Behavior Therapist \| Winona, Minnesota Cassidy graduated in 2016 and now works for the autism therapy center, Partners in Excellence, which implements treatment programs for children ages 1-10. She programs for clients by assessing them and developing their Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional and Program Team Lead. Cassidy also provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to clients and trains new behavior therapists.
	Jessica McCoy Recreational Therapist \| Minneapolis, Minnesota Jessica graduated in 2016 and today works with Inpatient Psychiatry in Hennepin County Medical Center. Her responsibilities include facilitating group activities to help develop and strengthen a variety of skills for individuals with mild to persistent mental illness; working to increase awareness of community resources; meeting with patients one on one; documenting interactions with patients; and reporting progress in interdisciplinary team meetings.
	Clarissa Schrooten Naturalist \| Byron, MN Clarissa graduated in 2006 and now works with Olmsted County Parks, which includes Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Her position as naturalist encompasses many responsibilities including zoo keeper, nature educator, zoo staff supervisor, volunteer coordinator, animal collection curator, education and program coordinator. “I have a very rewarding and enjoyable career,” Clarissa said.
	Emily Jensrud Activities Assistant Director and Volunteer Coordinator \| Duluth, Minnesota Emily graduated in 2017 and today works at the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center, a long-term care facility with a rehabilitation short-term unit. She develops programs and activities for the residents with a focus on the dementia unit and also recruits volunteers from the community. In addition to this position, Emily also works at the Duluth Area YMCA as the Environmental Youth Specialist. She helps provide outdoor education and recreational activities to youth through the Outdoor Club. “I am able to show and explain my passion for the environment in the hopes that the children will find a similar connection,” Emily said.

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Alumni - Where did they go?

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