Episodes

Friday Jun 16, 2023
The Flexibility to Explore
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
In celebration of UMR's first 10-year reunion, this special edition of Beyond the Nest features UMR alumni, Evan Doyle '13 and Rachel Seisler '14.
The two touch on a wide variety of topics including what brought Evan to UMR, the campus climate in those early years, capstone experiences and more.
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University of Minnesota Rochester
Rachel Seisler UMR '14
Evan Doyle UMR '13

Tuesday May 30, 2023
Trailblazers
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
In episode 5 of this season of Beyond the Nest, we conclude our story on the origins of UMR with a look at the Class of 2013 and what it took to get them to USquare.
Listen as early UMR Admissions Representatives and Success Coaches chat about the work required to recruit the first class and how they provided a unique and novel system of support, mentorship, and advisement.
And hear from University of Minnesota Rochester alumni Ellie Ryan and Evan Doyle as they share how they first learned of UMR and what it was like to blaze new pathways at startup 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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University of Minnesota Rochester
Ellie Ryan UMR '13
Evan Doyle UMR '13

Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Reimagining Higher Education
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
In episode 4 of this season of Beyond the Nest, we hear from University of Minnesota Rochester's founding generation of academic leaders, innovators, advisors, and strategists.
Through their stories we hear how each arrived in Rochester, the unique way in which UMR approaches its academics, how new paradigms within Higher Education are built, and the reasoning behind many of the campus' most innovative student-facing programs.
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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Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Tabula Rasa
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
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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