College and Career Centers Coordinator
Planning Assistants
Camille Pierce
James Madison Academic Campus, Milwaukee Marshall High School
High school: North Division High School
First job: Signature flight support, Midwest Express Airlines
College(s) attended: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Major(s): Aeronautics, aviation safety science
Degree(s): Bachelor of science and master of science
Why did you select this college? To become an aviation professional pilot
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? Went directly to college because I was awarded a full-ride scholarship from the Gates Millennium Scholars Program to any college institution of my choice
Lauren Thompson
Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education, Milwaukee High School of the Arts
High school: Pius XI
First job: Pharmacy technician, CVS Pharmacy
College(s) attended: UW–Green Bay
Major(s): Human development
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts
Why did you select this college? The three T's: trees, toilets, and tunnels. UWGB is surrounded by trees, which was one of the first things I fell in love with. It is such a beautiful campus, and I loved the vibe of a smaller university. All of the dorm rooms at GB have their own bathroom and shower, and the academic buildings are connected by tunnels, so on those days when it was minus ten degrees, I didn't have to worry about being cold walking to class. I wanted to get away from Milwaukee (and my parents) but be close enough where I could come home on the weekends if I wanted.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly from high school to college.
Chandar Robertson
Washington High School of Information Technology
High school: Messmer High School
First job: McDonald's
College(s) attended: UW–Milwaukee (transferred), Marquette University (graduated), Concordia University Wisconsin (in progress)
Major(s): Advertising, student personnel administration in higher education (in progress)
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts, master of science (in progress)
Why did you select this college? I originally chose to pursue a degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee because of the financial fit. Unfortunately, the college itself was not an overall fit, which resulted in my not being successful. When selecting a college, it is important to ensure that you are looking at all aspects of fit and that it meets your needs. I transferred to Marquette University and was accepted into the Educational Opportunitiy Program, which is designed to assist first-generation and/or low-income students, like me, academically and financially. At Marquette I found the support I needed, the small class sizes, and the academic advising model that I needed in order to find my career path and graduate. The majority of my education journey was in the private-school sector, which made Marquette University a natural fit and influenced my decision to attend Concordia University for graduate coursework.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college upon graduation from high school.
Carly Weckwerth
South Division High School, Pulaski High School
High school: Waukesha South High School
First job: Childcare teacher at Wisconsin Athletic Club
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Universidad de Sevilla (studied abroad for six months)
Major(s): Educational policy and community education; minor, ethnic studies/Spanish
Degree(s): Bachelor of science
Why did you select this college? It was far enough away from home that I felt independent and like I was creating my own life but close enough to still visit my family. Mostly I chose UWM because it felt like the right place for me — a diverse, large school setting — and it was the most affordable option for my family as well.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college. I started out undecided, but I knew that I wanted to go to a four-year college right after high school because I didn't want to risk not going if I did not go right away.
Sarah Beck
Milwaukee High School of the Arts, MacDowell Montessori School
High school: Desert Mountain High School
First job: Lifeguard at Scottsdale Plaza Resort
College(s) attended: University of Arizona, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Major(s): International political economy, international development
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts, master of arts
Why did you select this college? I chose U of A because I was awarded a full-ride scholarship; I chose SAIS because it is a top institution for international studies.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college, but I took a year off after my sophomore year to live, study, and work abroad.
Shariah Salahaladyn
Hamilton High School
High school: Harold S. Vincent High School
First job: Pick 'n Save
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, University of Pennsylvania
Major(s): Criminal justice, higher education
Degree(s): Bachelor of science, master of science
Why did you select this college? I initially chose UW–Oshkosh for a number of reasons: my uncle graduated from UWO, they have academic resources that assisted with my transition from high school to college, distance from home (Milwaukee), and the wonderful organizations that assist students in balancing college and academics. I attended Penn because I was attracted to the prestigious professors who were experts in the field of higher education.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I attended postsecondary education right away after high school.
Kim Easley
North Division High School, Vincent High School
High school: Juneau High School (MacDowell Montessori School)
First job: High school co-op at Northwestern Mutual
College(s) attended: Alverno College and Mount Mary University
Major(s): Sociology and school counseling
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts and master of science
Why did you select this college? After awarding me a $25,000 merit scholarship, and because it's local and offers the benefits of a private institution (small classroom sizes, unique learning curriculum), Alverno was an easy and appropriate choice! I chose to attend Mount Mary University for my master's because it is close to my home and offered a degree program of interest to me.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I attended college directly after high school. I went back to obtain my master's after several years in the corporate sector.
Zach Burger
Ronald Reagan Preparatory High School
High school: Brookfield Central High School
First job: Fruit of the Bloom Garden Center employee
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Major(s): Political science, pre-law emphasis
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts
Why did you select this college? I originally chose UW–La Crosse to get away from home but still stay in Wisconsin. I transferred because of the distance and my major choice.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went straight from high school to college.
A.J. MacDonald
Bay View High School
High school: Oak Creek High School
First job: Dining hall assistant at the Cornerstone Assisted Living Center
College(s) attended: University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Major(s): Journalism
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts
Why did you select this college? I wanted to attend a school in a setting that was new to me and was far from home yet close enough to return for holidays or to visit for a long weekend. Also, three of my sisters had attended or were attending U of M, and I thought that amid the transition to almost total newness, having some familiar faces and family around would be very helpful. Another reason was that Wisconsin and Minnesota have a reciprocity agreement, which meant that even though I was not a resident of Minnesota, I could pay the in-state tuition rate instead of paying significantly more, like out-of-state students are usually charged.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I attended college directly after graduating from high school. I never considered another plan other than going straight to college after high school, but I do think more exploration of my career interests while in high school and my early years in college could have benefitted me.
Lloyd Wilson
Riverside University High School, MacDowell Montessori School
High school: Wauwatosa East High School
First job: Mail clerk
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–Parkside
Major(s): Communication
Degree(s): None
Why did you select this college? I had older siblings who attended UW–Parkside prior to my going, and UW–Parkside was close enough to home that I could visit my mom on weekends.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college in the fall of my graduating year from high school.
Cynthia Walker
Rufus King International High School
High school: John Marshall High School
First job: Milwaukee Public Library
College(s) attended: Gallaudet University, MATC, UW–Milwaukee, Concordia University
Major(s): Adult education, administrative leadership, and professional counseling
Degree(s): Bachelor of science, master of science
Why did you select this college? My high school guidance counselor told me to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. I selected MATC for two years because of the small class sizes and support. I transferred to UWM because it was near my home. I selected Concordia University because of its mission statement, and it was all online, so I could work full time.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went to college right after high school.
Malaika Osei
Audubon High School, Bradley Tech High School
High school: Rufus King High School, home of the Generals!
First job: Part time at Express-Excess Insurance
College(s) attended: Springfield College and Marquette University
Major(s): Human services focused on criminal justice and public service focused on criminal justice administration
Degree(s): Bachelor of science, master of arts
Why did you select this college? I selected Springfield because of the accelerated program and Marquette because the program they offered would allow me to work within the criminal justice system to help change policies.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I worked after high school and went to college as an adult. I probably would not do it the same way if I had it to do over.
Advisors
Support Staff