[ alumni connections ]
Jenifer Goblish ’99/’04 Named Outstanding Adjunct Jenifer Goblish just likes the vibe at Southwest Minnesota State. “There’s an energy here. Everyone is accepting, and they go out of their way to make sure you have a good day. It’s like a family,” she said. That’s part of the reason she is so thankful for her recent Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, presented by the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota (CTAM). She was recognized virtually on Sept. 17. Goblish is an adjunct faculty member for College Now, SMSU’s concurrent enrollment program, which includes over 100 high schools in Minnesota. She also teaches a course in Communication Studies to SMSU students on campus. She’s been a full-time adjunct for eight years, teaching just under 12 credits per year. “Up until last year, all of my work was with College Now. The last two years I’ve had one course that I teach (on campus, to SMSU students).” With College Now, she mentors high school teachers in a dozen districts. Those teachers, in turn, teach concurrent enrollment courses to their students, earning college credits while satisfying requirements for high school graduation. Her background is student-based. She earned undergraduate degrees in Speech Communication, Secondary Education and Literature/Language Arts from SMSU in 1999. She earned a master’s in Educational
Mark Fokken, coordinator of the Communication Studies Program, had high praise in his nomination letter. “I could go on and on about Jen Goblish, but suffice it to say there is no one I can think of with whom I’ve worked in recent years who is more deserving,” he wrote. “I have known few instructors who take the job of course preparation more seriously.” Associate Professor of Communication Studies Ben Walker echoed those sentiments. “Jen continues to shine as one of the best teachers we have. She works passionately to provide a high quality education experience to students and is always thinking of ways to improve herself and the program” he wrote in his nomination letter. Goblish is appreciative of the recognition. But what she’s doing now hasn’t changed over Jenifer Goblish the years for the Fulda, Minn., native. Leadership with an emphasis in Teaching, Before coming to SMSU she was an English Learning and Leadership from SMSU in 2004, teacher at Red Rock Central High School, in and a second master’s, in Communication Lamberton. “As an alumna, I’ve always been Studies, from Minnesota State, Mankato, in passionate about SMSU and being a part of it,” 2019. she said. “I like the atmosphere, the small class The mother of four delights in following her sizes. I just like being on campus.” children in their activities at Wabasso High And don’t think she doesn’t steer her College School. She and husband George farm outside Now students toward SMSU. “I tell them about of Vesta. Three children — Jordan, Jasmine and College Now scholarships (for concurrent Josh — are out of college, and their youngest enrollment students who attend SMSU). I even son, Jayden, is a senior at Wabasso High bought brown and gold M&M’s for them. It’s School, where, much to her delight, [he] was a small thing, but they really appreciated the recently crowned Homecoming king. gesture.”
Natasha Boe ’10 Returns as Director of Financial Aid Natasha Boe is no stranger to Southwest Minnesota State University. A 2010 alumna with a double major in Management and Finance, she has made her way home. Boe, originally from Ortonville, Minn., is the new Director of Financial Aid at SMSU. She was first exposed to working in a financial aid office through her graduate assistant position at Minnesota State, Mankato in 2012. After earning her master’s there, she took a position in the Student Financial Services office, before accepting a position as Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Rochester Community and Technical College for eight years. She then saw the job posting at SMSU. “After my four years (as a student at SMSU), this is a place that I could come back and work,” she said. There were some new things that came with moving from a two-year to a fouryear institution, and Boe is appreciative of the support she’s received from her SMSU colleagues. “The staff I work with is very knowledgeable and helpful, so that’s made the
was a student,” she said. “Honestly, just being back on the campus and being in a leadership role has been rewarding.” Some of Boe’s favorite tasks as the director include helping students and their families pursue the dream of higher education. Currently, Boe travels to high schools in southwest Minnesota to do “Financial Aid Night” presentations. She discusses things like the FAFSA, workstudy opportunities, scholarships, tax benefits, and loans, to name a few. Her main emphasis is providing resources for students and their families who may have questions. When navigating the financial Natasha Boe aid landscape, especially for first-generation transition very smooth.” students, there are questions that will arise. Before she had applied for the director “If your student is aware of where they are position, she was already familiar with going to college, reach out to their financial aid the financial aid staff. “The financial aid office if you have any questions,” Boe suggests. community is also very tight-knit,” she said. If your school is Southwest Minnesota State “Other directors are willing to help out in any University, she is willing to help. “I can help way they can.” them navigate those waters,” said Boe. “One of the things that’s probably the most The SMSU alumna has come full circle — memorable is getting to know and reconnect from student to employee — and is happy to be with the individuals who were here when I a part of the Mustang Family.
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