Episodes

5 days ago
Tabula Rasa
5 days ago
5 days ago
Episode 3 of this season of Beyond the Nest profiles UMR’s inaugural Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle, Ph.D.
As the first chancellor of one of the country’s most innovative public institutions of higher education, Dr. Lehmkuhle had one of academia’s rarest of opportunities - starting a new campus from scratch.
Follow Dr. Lehmkuhle as he moves from the classroom to the research bench to the big chair on campus.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please check out UMR's LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
From Concept to Creation
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Episode 2 continues the tale of UMR as a Rochester campus of the University of Minnesota moves from Concept to Creation.
The story picks up in 1985 with a gathering of dynamic Rochester leaders tasked with preparing the community for the coming Millennium. It follows their work over a two-decade span resulting in the ringing endorsement of a Minnesota Governor eager to approach Higher Education with an innovative lens.
The work of these tireless advocates and champions of a U of M campus in Rochester laid the foundation for innovative thinkers to shake Higher Education like an Etch a Sketch and build a new university from scratch.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please check out UMR's LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Beginnings
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
In 2009 – against the backdrop of the Great Recession – more than 50 trailblazing
students walked through the hallowed halls of the Galleria Mall at University Square, up
a rickety escalator to a space that used to serve as a movie theater to guinea pig a new
and novel approach to Higher Education in the 21st century.
Across this new 5-episode season of Beyond the Nest, we examine the history of
Rochester, the origins of UMR, the powerful personalities who envisioned a U of M
campus in Med City, and those who built our first class of Raptor graduates.
Episode 1 – Beginnings focuses on the founding of the city of Rochester, the
calamitous events that gave birth to the Mayo Clinic, and how a young graduate from
the University of Minnesota named Marilyn Stewart started a six decade-long journey to
bring a U of M campus to Rochester.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please check out UMR's LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Monday Dec 12, 2022
Whatever You Do, Try To Be Good At It
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
In the final episode of Season 3, 2020 graduate Bradley Craker catches up with his former Student Success Coach Anna Ribikawskis.
The two chat about what led Bradley to UMR, his unique career path after graduation, and advice to younger students.
Currently, Bradley is the owner-operator of British Automotive Specialties, a company he started with his father last year in Hebron, Illinois.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Bradley Craker '20
University of Minnesota Rochester

Monday Dec 12, 2022
I’m a True Believer in Mentorship
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
In this episode of Beyond the Nest, 2016 UMR graduate, Dr. Hawa Ali, catches up with her Student Success Coach Jenn Hooke.
Now a resident at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Ali is a Otolaryngology Specialist and focuses her work on ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgery. Dr. Ali and Jenn chat about discovering UMR, the power of mentorship, and how medical student pick their specialties.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Hawa Ali, MD '16

Monday Nov 14, 2022
It Takes Guts
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
In this episode of Beyond the Nest, University of Minnesota Rochester's alumni podcast, UMR Chancellor Lori Carrell chats with Rochester Student Association President Patricia Hernandez.
The two discuss Patricia's journey through UMR, her career aspirations, and the experiences which led her to a role in campus student leadership.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Monday Sep 12, 2022
It’s As Simple As Love
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
In the first episode of Season 3 of Beyond the Nest, 2022 UMR graduate, Chidiogo Orakwue, chats with her sister Amarachi, a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota Rochester.
Chidiogo and Amarachi reminisce about their time at UMR, discovering the campus in their own backyard, and preparing for and entering medical school.
Presently, Amarachi is in her second year of med school at the University of Minnesota Medical Center; and Chidiogo is preparing for the MCAT as she works toward medical school herself.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Monday May 23, 2022
That’s When I Decided I Wanted to be a Therapist
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
In this episode of Beyond the Nest, 2019 graduate Monica Ziebell chats with UMR Student Success Coach Grace Nelson.
The two catch up and discuss how Monica picked UMR, internship experiences that led to a pathway realization, and building a career in resilience, mental health, and well-being.
Presently, Monica is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with NUWAY, a non-profit serving individuals recovering from substance use and mental health disorders. Following UMR, Monica went on to earn a Master of Professional Studies in Addiction Counseling from the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing & Professional Studies, and most recently, Monica started pursuing a second master’s degree in social work from St. Mary's University in Rochester, Minnesota.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
We Were all Flying by the Seat of our Pants
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
In this episode of Beyond the Nest, 2019 graduate Mason Schlief connects with UMR mathematics professor Jered Bright.
The two discuss how Mason happened upon UMR, her experiences with living learn communities such as Health CORE, and what led her to focus on a career pathway in resilience, mental health, and well-being.
Currently, Mason is a Care Coordinator with Zumbro Valley Health where she counsels individuals facing challenges related to mental health and substance abuse and addiction. Previously, Mason held the role of Mental Health Practitioner with Fernbrook Family Center. Additionally, Mason recently began a Master of Social Work program at the University of North Dakota.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
It’s Not About You
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
In this episode of Beyond the Nest, 2016 graduate Emily Jorgenson talks with neuroscience faculty member, Dr. Robb Dunbar.
Emily and Dr. Dunbar chat about what brought her to UMR, discovering a career in mental health and addiction counseling, and how to avoid putting yourself in a box.
If you would like to share your UMR journey, please reach out on LinkedIn or send an email to beyondthenest@umn.edu.
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