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Leah Bittner

“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.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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Success @ Southwest

Success @ Southwest (logo)

Success at Southwest is a program that provides holistic advising and support to first- and second-year students from traditionally underserved populations (first-generation college students, students of color, and/or Pell Grant recipients) to navigate college life and academia. Being a part of Success at Southwest includes monthly coaching sessions where a student meets with their success coach to talk about all aspects of what it means to be a college student.

Supporting our first- and second-year students at the beginning of their college journey, equipping them with knowledge of campus resources, and providing monthly check-ins to discuss their personal, academic, and professional needs ensures they have started down the right path to achieving their goals and overall success at SMSU.

Program History and SMSU's Support

Success at Southwest is SMSU’s continuation of the three-year grant-funded program called Scaling Up College Completion Efforts for Student Success (SUCCESS) implemented in 2021, following similar guidelines. Success at Southwest lends itself to SMSU’s dedication to Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 initiative to eliminate equity gaps in educational outcomes by race, generation, and socioeconomic status by the year 2030.

Impacts of Success @ Southwest

The positive impact of Success @ Southwest on students' academic achievement has been consistently observed across multiple semesters (Fall 2021-Fall 2025) since the program's inception. Overall, participants in Success @ Southwest typically earn more credits and achieve higher cumulative GPAs compared to their non-participating peers. These outcomes help our participating students achieve greater academic success and graduate on time.

Earned Credits

average earned credits, success @ southwest students trend higher than the overall student average every semester

Cumulative GPA

average earned credits, success @ southwest students trend higher than the overall student average every semester

Who Qualifies for Success @ Southwest?

Students at SMSU (in-person or hybrid) who have fewer than 60 earned credits and meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • First-Generation College Student
  • Student of Color
  • Pell Grant Eligible (confirmed with FAFSA completion)

Why Join Success @ Southwest?

SMSU prides itself on ensuring that each student feels welcome and supported in being successful. The benefits of participating in our program are the following:

  • You’ll have a dedicated coach to help you transition into SMSU.
  • You’ll receive tips, guidance, and reminders on how to persist and succeed in a university setting.
  • You’ll have access to additional mentoring opportunities with peers and SMSU Alumni.
  • You’ll receive perks for attending your monthly coaching meeting(s), e.g., priority registration, monthly prize drawings, access to program events throughout the year, and dedicated beginning and end-of-year celebrations.

Mustang Fun: Past Success @ Southwest Events

Success @ Southwest Kick-Off Event
Pizza Party
Balloon Battle
Mario Kart Trophy
 

What Students Are Saying 

They are GREAT, I love my coach and peer mentor. I look forward to our meetings because I can talk to them about what is going on and hear their opinion on it.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

My coach keeps me focused on my goals and helps me advocate for myself.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

My coach often helped me keep a positive outlook on everything I am involved in. Talking about the things I do often helps me be more grateful and thankful for what I am able to do.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

My coach helped me stay on track academically, and I was given advice on how to balance my time in a more efficient way.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

My coach had resources that I didn’t realize were out there.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

My coach helped me to feel motivated and supported.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

I had someone to talk to and build a connection with so that I am more comfortable here.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,

It gave me someone outside of athletics to talk to.

Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student,
 

We are currently recruiting for our Fall 2026 cohort. Fill out the form below to confirm your spot and to receive additional information regarding next steps:

program sign-up form

Contact Us Today!

Nicole Lewis
Success Coach
Nicole.Lewis@SMSU.edu
(507) 537-6360

Mary Haberman
Success Coach
Mary.Haberman@SMSU.edu
(507) 537-6690

Emily Vos
Success Coach
Emily.Vos@SMSU.edu 
(507) 537-6478

To learn more about our success coaches, please visit our Meet the Team page.

Last Modified: 3/18/26 11:55 AM | Website Feedback