Meet Mary Kavanagh!

I am a proud parent of three Minnesota State graduates – two from St. Cloud State and one from Bemidji State. I encourage and teach my advisees to advocate for themselves by utilizing student success resources, getting involved in experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom, and getting to know faculty, staff and other students on campus.

I played flute in the University of Minnesota marching band for four years and traveled to Canada, Spain and England with the band during that time; I continue to play flute in my church choir and am still in touch and travel with close friends made during my marching band days.

I have an undergraduate degree in business management and a Masters degree in Industrial Relations (Human Resources Management), so I am proof that you can major in one field and transfer these skills to another career.

How long have you been at St. Cloud State?

13 years.

What's your best memory at St. Cloud State?

Welcoming new students and their families to St. Cloud State during our Huskies Advising & Registration Days, and working with our amazing Advising & Registration Days staff (faculty, staff and students). We are serious when we need to be but also like to get silly and have fun!

What's your favorite snack on campus?

Chick-Fil-A nuggets with Chick-Fil-A dipping sauce.

What advice would you give a new student as they transition into St. Cloud State?

Take a risk and get involved in at least one activity, club or organization your very first semester. Learning is just as important outside of the classroom as it is within the classroom, and provides opportunities for meeting more people with similar interests and passions. I highly recommend considering an education abroad experience while in college. SCSU offers many programs that are very affordable (i.e. studying in the castle where Harry Potter was filmed in Alnwick, England, or studying at Nelson Mandela University near the ocean in Port Elizabeth, South Africa).

Why St. Cloud State?

I attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities which is a very large university. What I love about St. Cloud State is that it offers many of the programs and opportunities of a larger university, but it feels so much smaller and is much more affordable. In addition, the faculty and staff I've had the pleasure of working with are very student focused and are concerned with student success.