For the past 26 years, Professor John Campbell has made it his mission to meet one-on-one with every first-year student who attends his survey-level courses at Winona State University in Minnesota.

Logistically, this means Dr. Campbell, who teaches in the History and Legal Studies department and serves as co-director of the Legal Studies program, makes time to meet with up to 60 students within the first three weeks of each semester. This equates to about 120 students per year, and over the course of a 20-plus-year career at Winona State, roughly 2,000 students in total.

For Dr. Campbell, these meetings are much more than an exercise in name memorization — they’re about forming early and lasting connections, and ensuring that every student feels welcomed, supported and connected to the academic world from the start.

“I started meeting with each freshman in my classes because I wanted to help them get acclimated to a new environment and connect names with faces as quickly as possible,” said Campbell.

In these one-on-one meetings, Dr. Campbell covers key topics with each student, including their major, hometown, transition to college, strengths as a learner, and areas for growth.

Ultimately, the meetings are centered around instilling confidence in his students – to speak up, seek help, and fully engage in their education.

For senior history major Hannah Herman, from Burnsville, Minn., building a personal connection with Dr. Campbell was exactly the confidence boost she needed to set a successful course as a student at Winona State.

“(After meeting with Dr. Campbell) I felt more open to answering questions, participating in class discussions, and asking for help,” she said.

With its 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Winona State University is known for its emphasis on community. Personal campus connections and support resources are part of the equation for student success, and the student experience goes far beyond just the classroom.

Dedicated faculty members take the time to get to know their students as individuals– which leads to valuable career advice, mentorship, and networking opportunities that help students transition seamlessly into their professional lives.

Nearly 97 percent of Winona State graduates secure jobs in their fields, a success rate driven in part by the connections students form with their professors.

“I think it’s an important message for our students that we want them to do well,” said Dr. Campbell. “And overall, I just enjoy getting to know our students.”

By creating personal connections, Dr. Campbell and the Winona State faculty set the foundation for students to excel in their education and beyond, preparing them for lifelong success.