New transfer advisor helping Southeast students achieve success

Winona and Red Wing, MN (October 29, 2025) – Minnesota State College Southeast and Winona State University are pioneering a new joint position aimed at helping students at both institutions succeed in their educational goals.

Barb Nascak, the Shared Academic Transfer Advisor, splits her time between both institutions, meeting with students and helping them navigate the complexity of earning a transfer degree.

The position is one of the first of its kind in the Minnesota State system.

Kate Parsi, Director of Academic Support and Advising at Southeast, said the idea for Nascak's position came out of a December 2023 meeting where the presidents of both institutions realized both organizations could benefit from this shared resource.

Nascak has an affinity for both colleges, having spent 17 years working for WSU before joining Southeast this summer. Both her children attended Southeast. Her daughter transferred to earn a degree at Winona State.

These days, she splits her time between Southeast's Academic Support Center and the Warrior Hub at WSU. Being on both campuses allows Nascak to support students before and after they transfer.

"WSU can feel like a huge university, and be overwhelming," Parsi said. "Barb can help Southeast students acclimate or find the necessary resources to feel connected once they get to Winona State."

From scheduling to financial aid, Nascak offers tips and guidance that break down barriers to success, such as connecting students with opportunity scholarships and sources of tuition.

Nascak encourages students to meet with her as soon as possible so she can help them select courses that will work for both their short-term and long-term educational plans.

She provides students with a "graduation plan," a list of the sequence of courses they will need to take at Southeast, as well as when they transfer to WSU, in order to earn their degree and provide the greatest benefit to their educational goals.

"That is consistent with our promise to students to help them reach their goals  in the least amount of time and with the least amount of debt," Nascak said.

"Barb's role is a game-changer for students navigating the transfer process. She brings a deep understanding of both institutions and a genuine commitment to student success," said Kirk Carlson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Winona State. "By helping students build a clear plan from Southeast to Winona State, she's opening doors to opportunity. Together, our institutions offer exceptional programs and hands-on learning that lead to strong career outcomes. For those who continue on to earn a four-year degree at Winona State, those outcomes include a 97 percent job placement rate and the economic mobility a four-year degree can provide."

In the first six weeks of fall semester Nascak has met with more than 200 students at Southeast's Winona and Red Wing campuses. While many of them plan to continue their education at WSU, she has also met with students from Virginia and Florida, who want to transfer to schools in those states.

Mike Distad is a nontraditional student at Southeast who was nervous about going back to college this fall after having been in the workforce for 18 years.

Distad met Nascak at an orientation meeting early on this semester and immediately realized she could help them with their goal of earning an associate of science degree and eventually transferring to WSU where they plan to earn a bachelor's degree in social work.

"Her knowledge is impressive. She made me feel welcome and helped me develop a plan for my studies here at Southeast, and eventually at Winona State," said Distad, who is taking courses in psychology and human biology this fall.

Originally Nascak planned to split her time four days at Southeast and one at WSU, but she's been flexible to meet the needs of students at both institutions.

Nascak prides herself on meeting students where they are, especially adult learners, having pursued her college education later in life.

"I try to take a holistic approach to advising," she said. "Academics are important, but many of our students are juggling work, family, and other obligations, so we need to look at everything else that is going on in their life."

Ultimately, Nascak and Parsi, who both graduated from Winona State, hope to see more students continuing their education after Southeast, by transferring to four-year institutions like their alma mater.

"It's important for our students and our community to know that your journey doesn't end with Southeast. It's just a beginning," Nascak said. "We are going to accommodate what you want and make every step towards reaching your goals simple and achievable."