Mental Health and Loneliness Within College Students

Purpose: Mental health is a broad topic, with many different aspects that can affect someone\u27s daily life. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone or experiencing an imbalance between desired and actual social interactions (Potter et al., 2023). This project explores, the mental health aspect of loneliness. Data from Winona State University (WSU) students was collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS3). On campuses, many traditional college students experience loneliness from a new environment that is potentially away from family, friends, and familiarity. The transition to college and experiencing independence for the first time can increase stress levels, thus, increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Although loneliness is seen as “normal,” these feelings heighten risk for poor academic performance, decreased social connections, and increased potential of other mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression. This project aims to gain understanding of student experiences with loneliness at WSU and identity gaps in current university students. Methods: To assess the met and unmet needs of students at Winona State University regarding loneliness, the data that is surveyed will be collected at the 2026 Health and Wellness Fair. Current students at the university will voluntarily approach an informational table where they will be asked to write down the answers to three questions: (1) Did you experience with loneliness at WSU when you first began going to school here? (2) What, if anything, did the university provide (resources, opportunities, clubs, tools, etc.) that helped decrease your loneliness? (3) What advice or positive affirmation would you give an acquaintance who told you they were experiencing loneliness at WSU? Outcomes: Results will be revealed following the Health and Wellness Fair. It is anticipated that the results will provide further knowledge into methods to decrease loneliness risk and increase social interaction for WSU students. Additionally, there will be a better understanding of ways to connect with college students on the Winona State University Campus. Conclusion: Loneliness among college students is a significant mental health concern that can impact emotional well-being, academic success, and overall quality of life. This project aims to better understand student experiences and identify gaps in current university resources. By exploring both helpful and missing support services available, the findings can guide improvements in campus programs to promote connection and reduce feelings of isolation. Addressing loneliness early can help support healthier coping, stronger social networks, and improved mental health outcomes for college students

Hiro Postcards

For the course entitled Advanced Design Project (ART 375), we were given the assignment to create a design project of our choice. This project was to be created over the course of Fall semester with five different phases that were to be markers for progress. In terms of my own project, I was deeply inspired by the idea that design could connect us. And additionally, I wanted to explore novelty item design. Which is the reason my brand Hiro Postcards it was it is today. In terms of the branding of Hiro Postcards, I decided to name it after my brother, whose middle name is Hiro and is someone who consistently inspires me. And so, by exploring new skills, finding personal meaning, and combining that with my design knowledge I was able to make a fully hand embroidered postcard. And as the final phases approached, I wanted to expand my project to be a kind of creative greeting card kit. Which was done by making my own envelopes to protect the embroidery done and unique stickers to add to the experience. And to add to the depth of this project I included quotes within the kit that came from family and friends

Design and Fabrication of a Composite Torpedo Baseball Bat

Observing current trends in Major League Baseball, there has been increasing interest in torpedo-style wood bats due to their unique weight distribution. Unlike traditional bat geometries, the torpedo design shifts more weight toward the hands, improving balance and allowing for greater control throughout the swing. This project applies the same concept using composite materials so that high school and college players can also have access to this design innovation. The proposed bat is constructed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer with an epoxy resin to create a lightweight and durable structure. The design aims to maintain the performance benefits of the torpedo profile while improving strength and consistency compared to wood bats. The bat is designed, fabricated, and evaluated to meet both the current bat regulations (BBCOR) and the design objectives regarding weight distribution, stiffness, and overall performance

Crystal Growth and X-ray Analysis of Anthranilic Acid-based Azo Compounds

X-ray diffraction is a powerful technique that can is unmatched in terms of solid-state structural determination. The focus of this project was on growing single crystals of the various azo compounds followed by subsequent X-ray analyses obtaining essentially a picture of the synthesized molecules. Analysis of this type allows for unequivocal structural determination including azo attachment point and geometric isomer preference

Student Senate Meeting Minutes April 8, 2026

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for April 8, 2026

2026 Artificial Intelligence Policy, Winona State University Student Senate Motion

Winona State University (WSU) Student Senate passed a motion on February 25, 2025 , in which the WSUSS Academic Affairs Committee proposes that WSU professors include their Artificial Intelligence (AI) policies on syllabi, starting fall 2026 and each following semester, encouraged by WSU Administration

Somen Mural Screening & Survey

Join the Mural Research Team in Minne Hall 103 at 3pm for a screening of the short documentary about the Somsen Mural by Jonathan Thunder and the research team, which will be followed by an invitation to complete a survey. Participating in the study will require roughly 30-40 minutes of your time. The Foundation has sponsored this activity and pizza will be available. Through this work we aim to ensure that our campus spaces reflect the values and voices of all who call Winona State home through research-based evidence. For more information or to get involved, please contact Dr. Amy Williams at [email protected]

Project Compass Internship

This project is about two interns who worked with Project Compass Spring 26\u27 semester. Both interns will share information about Project Compass, events this organization hosts, target audience, and unique experiences the interns went through. Interns will also share what they took away from the internship and what could be done differently at Project Compass

NMR Analysis of Sulfamethoxazole-based Imines Synthesized from Aromatic Aldehydes

In this project, we focused on the 1H NMR analysis of seven different imines synthesized by combining sulfamethoxazole, a classic antibacterial agent, with various substituted benzaldehydes. Our1H NMR analysis provided detailed insights into the precise structures of these compounds, confirming their successful formation and purity beyond what was capable for other characterization methods such as mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. Purity analysis and structural verification of these compounds was performed in support of several related projects

Synthesis and Characterization of Trivalent Complexes of Cr, Fe, and Co Bearing Avobenzone and Oxybenzone Ligands

In this study, homoleptic complexes of trivalent chromium, iron, and cobalt were prepared with two different β-diketonate ligands, avobenzone and oxybenzone. These systems are being studied for the potential to absorb light in a useful wavelength range to enhance solar cell efficiency and for their geometric isomer preference. Methods unique to each metal were necessary to obtain these targeted complexes. A variety of techniques have been employed to verify their successful isolation including IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility and melting point determination