Meet with an Advisor
Advisors are ready to help you explore different academic programs, review your general education goals, prepare for a career, and more.
Navigating college is challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We are here to help you sort through your options and develop a plan for success.
You can meet with an advising professional by scheduling an appointment online at a time that is convenient for you.
If you have questions, please reach out to the department you would like to meet with.
WSU has a variety of advisors and professional support staff, each with their own areas of expertise. All students are welcome to meet with these staff members for support.
You can choose to meet in person or online. Online advising in convenient for students enrolled in a fully online program or those taking summer classes while living at home.
However, if you are in Winona or within a short driving distance of campus, in-person advising is strongly recommended.
Students in Rochester can also take advantage of the Rochester-based advising resources to meet an advisor in person.
If you are a graduate student and have questions about course registration, contact your assigned faculty advisor.
Here’s how to schedule an appointment using Advisor Trac:
- Log into the Advisor Trac portal with your StarID and password
- Select the Search for Availabilities button
- Choose the department you want to meet with—aka “Center”—and select your reason for an advising session
- Select Search to find the available advisors, days, and times
- Choose the option that works best for you, enter your phone number, and save the appointment
- Check for a confirmation email
Call at 507.457.5878 and ask a team member to set up an appointment for you.
Let them know if you need an online advising appointment or want to meet in person.
Which Center Should I Choose?
The Warrior Success Center includes professionals from Advising Services, Career Services, and Access Services. They can help you with a wide variety of topics, questions, or concerns:
- Review your DARS and registering for general education requirements
- Explore majors and careers if you are still deciding or want to change your major/minor
- Learn about your academic status, GPA and course completion rate
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
- Learn about access services or disability accommodations
- Search for a job or internship
- Apply to graduate school
Contact the Warrior Success Center at warrior_success_center@winona.edu or 507.457.5878 for more information.
If you identify as an international student, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with a professional in International Student and Scholar Services.
International Services professionals can help you with a variety of topics:
- Review your DARS and general education requirements (GOALS)
- Explore majors and careers
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
- Discuss dropping or withdrawing from a course
- Complete an update to your I-20/immigration record
- Help you prepare for upcoming international travel
- Discuss employment options for international students
- Assist with understanding your medical insurance coverage and processing
- Meeting requirements of your scholarship through the Cross-Cultural Outreach Program
- Discuss challenges adjusting to U.S. culture
If you are a current Individualized Studies (INDS) or Healthcare Leadership and Administration (HLA) student, or are considering either of these programs, you can schedule an appointment with Barb Nascak.
Barb can help you with a wide variety of topics and concerns:
- Reviewing your DARS
- Exploring alternate pathways towards degree completion
- Learning about your academic status, GPA and course completion rate
- Campus referrals
Email Barb Nascak at banascak@winona.edu for more information.
If you are a student in the College of Education, you are encouraged to meet with your assigned faculty advisor. In addition, you can schedule an appointment with the Center for Student Success.
Liz Schwanke can help you with a variety of topics including:
- Explore majors and careers if you are still deciding or want to change your major/minor
- Learn about your academic status, GPA, and course completion rate
- Learn about access services or disability accommodations
- Review your DARS and general education requirements (GOALS)
- Review COE program admission requirements (DARS)
- Complete program map to graduation
Paula O’Malley can help you with topics such as:
- License and Certification questions
- Post-Baccalaureate questions
- Adding another license
- Getting a license in another state
If you are a student in the College of Business, you can schedule an appointment with a business advisor.
This advisor can help you with a variety of topics:
- Review COB program admission or graduation requirements (DARS)
- Discuss dropping or withdrawing from a course
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
Contact your assigned faculty advisor for more information.
If you are a nursing major, you are encouraged to meet with your assigned faculty advisor.
Professionals in the Nursing Department can help you with a variety of topics:
- Advising for Pre-Nursing, Nursing and RN to BS students
- Review your DARS and plan your pre-requisite courses for nursing program admission
- Discuss dropping or withdrawing from a course
- Review nursing program graduation requirements and plan your upcoming courses
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
- Answer questions about clinical locations, schedules and assignments
- Consider study abroad and faculty-led program opportunities
- Explore graduate schools and applying for jobs
Nicole Wohlrab at nicole.wohlrab@winona.edu or contact your assigned faculty advisor for more information.
If you are a student in the College of Science and Engineering (, you can schedule an appointment with Laura McCauley.
As an advising specialist, Laura can help you with a variety of topics:
- Review program requirements and your DARS
- Discuss dropping or withdrawing from a course
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
Email Laura McCauley at lmccauley@winona.edu or contact your assigned faculty advisor for more information.
If you identify as a diverse student or are part of a community that is or has been historically marginalized, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with a professional in the Equity and Inclusive Excellence Office.
Professional intercultural coordinators can help you with a variety of topics:
- Review your DARS and general education requirements (GOALS)
- Explore majors and careers
- Complete an Academic Warning meeting
- Discuss dropping or withdrawing from a course
Email equity@winona.edu or contact your assigned faculty advisor for more information.
Rochester-Based Resources
Trent Dernbach is the full-time general advisor for WSU-Rochester. He also serves as the Career Services Advisor and as the faculty advisor for the Individualized Studies program in Rochester.
As the general advisor, Trent can advise undergraduate students until they are officially assigned an advisor in their chosen field of study.
He can also help students review their Degree Audit Program Reports (DARS) and provides support for resumes, interviewing skills, job search strategies and more.
You can schedule an appointment with Trent by:
- Email: wsurstudentservices@winona.edu
- Phone: 507.285.7100
- In person at SS 128
Connect with Visiting Advisors
Advisors regularly visit the WSU-Rochester campus to help with the following topics and services.
To make sure that students with disabilities have equal access to their education, Access Services coordinates disability advising and academic accommodations such as:
- extended time on tests
- exams in auditory format,
- accessible classrooms and labs
Any enrolled WSU student with a permanent documented disability—such as learning disabilities, ADHD, depression or low hearing and low vision—is eligible to use these accommodations.
Get started with Access Services and set up an appointment by emailing access@winona.edu or calling 507.457.5878.
If you’re interested in the Business Administration or Human Resource Management programs, you can meet with the College of Business advisor.
During an advising appointment, you’ll receive help with:
- program admission
- course planning
- career paths and opportunities
Appointments are available on a monthly basis.
To set up an appointment, contact Student & Campus Services at 507.285.7100 or wsurstudentservices@winona.edu.
International students can meet with International Student and Scholar Services staff for help with:
- U.S. immigration regulations
- adjust to the academic and cultural life in Rochester, MN
They also serve as liaison with U.S. government agencies and foreign embassies.
Appointments are available on a monthly basis.
To set up an appointment, contact Student & Campus Services at 507.285.7100 or
wsurstudentservices@winona.edu.