The SMSU Podcast

Southwest Minnesota State University will welcome author and survivor advocate Danielle Leukam to campus on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in Bellows Academic 102 for a public presentation titled “Take Back Your Power: My Experience, My Message.”
Leukam is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and advocate whose work centers on healing, resilience, and empowerment for survivors of trauma. Drawing from lived experience, Leukam shares a powerful message about reclaiming personal strength and creating change through honesty, courage, and connection.
The event is sponsored by the SMSU Social Science Department and is free and open to the public.

The Mustang Market Coordinator, Joyce Robinson, discusses how the Mustang Market came to be on campus and the purpose it serves. Mustang Market is SMSU’s permanent food and resource pantry, located in Bellows Academic 154. The market is open on Thursdays from noon to 7 pm. All food and supplies are free to our on- and off-campus community for those seeking the resources we offer.

Assistant Professor Jessica Hennen previews the creative writing’s Visiting Writers Series with Jennifer Eli Bowen and Michael Kleber-Diggs.
Along with the Visiting Writers Series event, the Fine Arts Roundup and the Fine Arts Celebration will feature students majoring in English who will showcase their work. 
Fine Arts Roundup- https://www.smsufoundation.org/finearts

This week, Dr. John Ginocchio joins the SMSU campus update to go over upcoming performances during the fine arts celebration, along with other concerts being performed leading up to the month-long celebration! Below is the link to the full Fine Arts Celebration lineup! Also don't miss out on the Fine Arts Roundup on March 27th, 2026 at 6pm sign up at the link below! 
Fine Arts Roundup- https://www.smsu.edu/academics/departments/fineartsandcommunication/fine-arts-roundup.html 
Fine Arts Celebration- https://www.smsu.edu/academics/departments/fineartsandcommunication/fine-arts-celebration.html

The 11th president of Southwest Minnesota State University is Dr. David Jones! Dr. Jones has devoted his career to education, including over three decades of experience in higher education both in the classroom and leadership roles.
 
He has a proven record of developing innovative enrollment management strategies leading to enrollment growth and strong retention numbers as well as a commitment to, and experience with, shared governance.

Sonya and Kala go through what the process was like going through getting the SMSU School of Education seven year accreditation. Make sure to check out the SMSU School of Education if you are interested in becoming a teacher!

Director of Natasha Boe discusses the importance of financial aid and where to start.
Natasha goes through the different opportunities for grants and scholarships that provide free aid you don’t have to pay back.

This week, we have Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs Devin Gorter to talk about the Gold Rush Raffle
 
The Mustang Gold Rush Raffle is the Mustang Club's largest annual fundraiser. The Raffle is THE event to be at on SMSU's campus. A limited number of tickets are sold for the reverse raffle and are $100 per person, which includes entry into the event and into the reverse raffle.
 
Live and silent auctions are also included in the event, along with casino games and a variety of other great games. 
 
You can reserve a ticket with the link below! ⬇️
https://smsumustangs.com/sb_output.aspx?form=149

Southwest Minnesota State University welcomed acclaimed author and cultural preservationist Dr. Anton Treuer (pronounced troy-er) to campus on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, for programming on Native American heritage and dialogue on race and culture.
Dr. Anton Treuer is Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and author of many books. He is building an Ojibwe teacher training program at Bemidji State University, and his equity, education, and cultural work have put him on a path of service around the nation and the world. 
Dr. Treuer, author of the widely praised book Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask, shared insights from his work and his lifelong commitment to preserving the Ojibwe language

This week, Kelly Loft joins the show to go over all of the fun activities that are happening on campus during Tropical Night weekend, including the Hall of Honor Inductees, going over the inductees and their allocations during their time at SMSU, and where they’re at now!
Kelly also goes over what is going on this weekend, which includes both the men’s and women’s basketball games on Friday and Saturday. The women’s swimming and diving, and wrestling on Friday! The SMSU Alumni Foundation will have a social right before the basketball games on Saturday in the RA Facility!
For a list of campus events linked here: https://www.smsu.edu/events/meltdown/index.html