After nearly 16 years of service to the College as the graduate programs coordinator, Lisa Hubinger retired on January 31. In this role, she has supported countless graduate students as they have pursued their degrees, as well as prospective graduate students as they navigate the application process. 

“I am forever grateful for Lisa’s years of devoted service and loyalty to our grad students and programs,” says Mark Rutherford, MS, PhD, associate dean of graduate studies at the CVM. “Much of our success is the result of her care and efforts.”

Hubinger was the first graduate programs coordinator at the CVM. Her arrival meant that various aspects of the program administration could be better prioritized. Hubinger was instrumental in setting up a central location for the graduate programs; leading efforts to synchronize forms, processes, and timelines between the two graduate programs; and creating an open door environment for students. Hubinger made connections across numerous University offices so she could solve any student issue quickly and knowledgeably. She also took the initiative to complete the training to be the College’s graduate student mental health advocate. 

Because of Hubinger’s efforts, the Office of Graduate Programs (OGP) is now able to do so much more for students and faculty to enhance their experience, Rutherford says. This includes helping to start and deliver a formal recruiting day where our top PhD candidates visit campus, organizing aspects of the College’s annual Research Day, hosting a formal New Student Orientation in the fall, and helping to host a St. Paul campus 3 Minute Thesis competition.

“Few people have 'owned' a job as Lisa has,” says Rutherford. “She has always put the students and programs first, this has never been an 8-4:30 position for her. She is truly invested in our students’ success while in the program and thereafter. I can’t thank Lisa enough for creating the expectation of student-centered service for the OGP.”