Office of Admissions

All official documents should be sent to our processing office:

UMR 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:

UMR Office of Admissions

150 Broadway Ave South

Rochester, Minnesota 55904

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Email: [email protected]
UMR Office Phone: 1-877-280-4699
Admissions Office Phone: 507-258-8686

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
Admissions Representative
[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
Senior Admissions Counselor
[email protected]

What is your educational background?

BS in English Education from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

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 Admissions
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: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by James Ford
• TV shows:Silicon Valley, Never Have I Ever, Superstore
• Podcasts: Normal Gossip, 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 Admissions Counselor
Email: [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