Office of Admissions
The Office of Admissions serves the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) and Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) programs along with the Early Assurance Programs.
Fast Facts
Location
All official documents should be sent to our processing office:
University of Minnesota Rochester Office of Admissions
300 University Square
111 South Broadway
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
All visitors should report to the 1st floor of the Student Life Center:
University of Minnesota Rochester Office of Admissions
150 Broadway Ave South
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
UMR Office Phone: 1-877-280-4699
Admissions Office Phone: 507-258-8686
Meet the Admissions Team
John Bliss
Senior Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BA in English and Theatre Arts from University of Minnesota Morris
MA in English Literature from University of Minnesota Twin Cities
PhD in English Literature from University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Hometown:
Minneapolis, MN
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Unique and focused.
College Search Tip:
Find what you want to do, or what you’re good at, and figure out which colleges offer you the best chance to develop the skill associated with that.
What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing, painting and tabletop role-playing games.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Books: The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams
- Movies: Mirrormask, Mad Max: Fury Road
- TV shows: Gravity Falls, Arcane, Castlevania
Favorite Quote:
“The story so far: In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” - Douglas Adams
Kate Lawlor
Senior Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BA in Theology and Gender and Sexuality Studies from Marquette University
MA in Religion from Yale Divinity School
Hometown:
Mattawan, MI
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Motivated, supportive and empowering.
College Search Tip:
Explore many different choices, visit the campus and think about what school will be the best fit for both your personal goals and your career goals!
What are your hobbies?
Spending time outdoors, trying new foods and restaurants and connecting with friends.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Movies: Jurassic Park, Knives Out, Barbie
- TV shows: Only Murders In the Building, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Walking Dead
Favorite Quote:
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring
Matthew Lister
Admissions Application and CRM Manager
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BA in Applied Science in Business Organizational Structure from Valencia College
Certified in Data Analytics by CompTIA from University of Central Florida
Hometown:
Kissimmee, FL
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Unlike Florida, it has four seasons. Small town with a city feel. Everything is within walking distance. Getting to know the name of your usual clientele is not the exception, it is the norm.
College Search Tip:
Don't rule out a college or university based off size or price. Get to know the financial situation of the average student and come visit to check out the culture before making a decision.
What are your hobbies?
Anything DIY - I love to hyperfixate, tabletop and video games and trying out new restaurants.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
Altered Carbon, GOT or pretty much anything Sci-Fi, History or Fantasy.
Favorite Quote:
"Wishes come true, not [for] free. Wishes may bring problems, such that you regret them. Better that though, than to never get them." - Anonymous co-worker
Lindsey Meyers
Assistant Director of Admissions for Events and Campus Visits
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BS in English Education from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
MA in English from Middlebury College
Hometown:
Blaine, MN
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Lively, passionate and dedicated to helping others.
College Search Tip:
Don't be afraid to ask questions!
What are your hobbies?
I love reading and spending time outdoors! My favorite outdoor activities are hiking and kayaking.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Books: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys; Lord of the Flies by William Golding; The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
- TV shows: NCIS, The Blacklist and Suits
Favorite Quote:
"When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful." - Malala Yousafzai
Heidi Rihal
Senior Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BA in Accounting and Psychology from University of Toronto, Canada
Hometown:
Nairobi, Kenya and Toronto, Canada
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Invested in health sciences, vibrant and numerous career pathways.
College Search Tip:
I would recommend visiting the campus, talking to students, being aware of deadlines and applying early (especially for early assurance programs)!
What are your hobbies?
I love to travel, listen to music, attend events (plays, sporting events, and concerts) and to spend time with family.
Favorite things to do in Rochester?
I enjoy going on walks in nature, meeting up with friends and family, and volunteering in the community.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Movies: The Blind Side, Glass Onion, The Help, Bend It Like Beckham
- TV shows: The Office, Schitts Creek, Breaking Bad, Games of Thrones
Favorite Quote:
“Be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.” - Maya Angelou
Yariset Rodriguez
Admissions Application Specialist
[email protected]
Education:
I attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis. After I graduated high school in 2013, I went on to pursue my undergraduate degree at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. I majored in English with a minor in Asian Studies, and I studied abroad in two different countries: Japan and India! In May 2017, I became a first generation college graduate!
Hometown:
South Minneapolis, MN
(I am a proud lifelong Minnesotan and I LOVE being from Minneapolis—my favorite city in the world).
College Search Tip:
While the financial aspect is important to consider, choose the college campus that feels right to you. Pick the one that makes you feel like you’re home, because it will be that for roughly four years.
What are your hobbies?
Cooking/baking, listening to ALL KINDS of music, connecting with people, learning and researching new information and exploring/traveling to different places.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- TV Shows: Squid Games, Code Geass (anime), Attack on Titan (anime), It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (K Drama)
- Books: The Four Agreements, Harry Potter Series
Favorite Quote:
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” – Angela Davis
Rachel Seisler
Assistant Director of International Admissions and Admissions Operations
Phone: 507-258-8687 | Email: [email protected]
What is your educational background?
Lakeville North High School
BSHS from University of Minnesota Rochester
MBA from University of Minnesota Duluth
Hometown:
Lakeville, MN
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
Driven, collaborative and close-knit.
College Search Tip:
Cast a wide net and investigate opportunities you wouldn’t initially consider. UMR has SO MANY career opportunities both inside and outside of patient care. Take inventory of your strengths and skill sets and how you can leverage those to find an ideal career path.
What are your hobbies?
Golfing, biking and board games.
Favorite things to do in Rochester?
Eating! I’ve eaten my way through this town and love trying out new restaurants.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Books: Empyrean Series, Rebecca Yarros
- TV shows: Gilmore Girls, The Last of Us
- Podcasts: Armchair Expert, Planet Money, This American Life
Favorite Quote:
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” – George Washington Carver
Justin Stoll
Senior Director of Admissions
[email protected]
What is your educational background?
BA in History from Wartburg College
Hometown:
Denver, IA
Words to describe UMR or Rochester:
There is a real sense of purpose and community at UMR. Everyone wants our students to have the best education here and the best opportunities when they take their next steps.
College Search Tip:
Start your search by understanding yourself, your interests, your strengths and the kind of space where you learn the best. Then find a school that can help you to build the stepping stones on the path you want to take.
What are your hobbies?
I am a woodworker and am constantly learning more in that field. I also love to explore Minnesota with my wife and our dogs.
Favorite TV Shows, or movies or books?
- Books: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- TV shows: The OA, Parks and Rec, House
- Movies: The Godfather, Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Quote:
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” -Mark Twain