Student Success Center welcomes new staff, initiatives

This academic year, the Student Success Center witnessed some major changes, including new leadership, additions to staff and new initiatives. 

Mary Toso, formerly the director of internships and employer relations, took over as the director of the Student Success Center this September following the departure of Billie Streufert, former assistant vice provost of student success and engagement. 

Streufert worked in the Student Success Center from 2014 to 2023. She now works at Southeast Technical Institute as the director of student success and compliance. 

Toso said she is excited about the opportunity to lead a talented team that provides high quality academic and career advising to students. 

“My vision for the SSC is that we are a resource for our students as they design their college experience,” Toso said. “SSC staff members are approachable, friendly and very dedicated to advising students to help them achieve their academic and vocational goals.”

Wendy Mamer, who was part of the Augustana Admissions Office from 2018 to 2022, joined the Student Success Center this fall as a career and academic planning specialist. She serves first-year natural sciences, computer science, computer information systems, data science, physics, biochemistry, math and STEM composite majors.

Mamer said she is excited to be back at Augustana serving students as a CAP specialist.

“During my previous tenure at AU as an admission counselor, I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside students as they navigate this next phase of their life, and I couldn’t be happier to be in a position to do just that in a more direct and impactful way,” Mamer said.

CAP specialist Travis Ahlers said he feels both Toso and Mamer are well suited to their new roles. 

“It is difficult to say goodbye to colleagues as they transition to new roles on campus or depart AU entirely, but Mary and Wendy both bring amazing experiences to their new roles,” Ahlers said. 

In a few weeks, the Student Success Center will also welcome Nancy Wehrkamp to its team as a coordinator.

“[Wehrkamp] will be a welcoming presence for students when they arrive in our office,” Toso said.

With new faces and leadership changes also comes new goals. 

Going forward, the Student Success Center intends to have a stronger social media presence and focus on academic and career-related programs and events. 

One of those events is Augustana Top Talent, which the Student Success Center will co-sponsor with Augustana Advancement, the Business Club and the School of Business. 

“Students have the opportunity to tour a business, have lunch with alumni from the Twin Cities and participate in a career fair of Twin Cities companies,” Toso said. 

The Student Success Center is also working with First-Year Seminar director Beth Boyens to revitalize the FYS 112 curriculum for spring semester.  

“We will continue to be very student centric, and students will continue to have a very experienced and dedicated staff of professionals eager to support them on their academic and vocational journey,” Ahlers said. 

Toso said the Student Success Center also has plans for a Student Advisory Board with representatives from each of the academic affiliations and schools. 

“We will connect with these students regularly to solicit input about what programs students are interested in,” Toso said.

With November being National Career Development Month, the Student Success Center plans to host a variety of events.

“We have a variety of events planned, ranging from resume reviews, mock interviews, and workshops,” Toso said. “Look for workshops about using AI for Career Exploration, ideas about what to do with your summer, establishing a LinkedIn profile and the research opportunities available to students. We are especially looking forward to having Ace the Augie Doggie in our office during some of our programming.” 

Nasteho Abdi, a student worker in the Student Success Center, said she believes the updates and programs will help the center become more known on campus. 

“I think, though there are students that come to us, there are a good amount of students that do get us confused with Student Affairs or don't really understand or recognize the tasks and what we offer to them,” Abdi said. “We are hoping that these updates will make students more in the know about what exactly the Student Success Center is and what it offers.”