College and Career Centers Coordinator
Planning Assistants
Camille Pierce
James Madison Academic Campus
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? I 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
Bradley Technology and Trade School, Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning
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.
Carly Weckwerth
South Division 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, Golda Meir 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
Vincent High School, North Division 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.
Shaneila Agnew
Milwaukee Marshall High School
High school: Rufus King IB High School
First job: Research assistant
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin– Madison
Major(s): English
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts
Why did you select this college? I selected UW–Madison because it is one of the most prestigious, top-research universities in the country. Scholastic merit was also an important reason for my selection. I received a four-year tuition scholarship to attend UW. I have always been passionate about social and educational justice, so I looked forward to contributing to UW–Madison's diversity. Last, I had become very comfortable leaving Milwaukee. I spent every summer of my high school career on UW's campus as a pre-college program participant. That gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the space, facilities, and resources even before graduating from high school.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went to college immediately following high school graduation.
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 Willson
Riverside University High 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.
Malaika Osei
Washington 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.
Ronnicia Johnson-Walker
Rufus King International High School
High school: Divine Savior Holy Angel High School
First job: Ice cream vendor for the Greater Milwaukee Open (golf tournament)
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Major(s): African American studies (African and women's studies certificate), African American studies (focus on culture and art history)
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts, master of arts
Why did you select this college? I selected UW–Madison because it was still in state but it was far enough from Milwaukee to allow me to gain some independence as a young adult. However, it was close enough to drive home during breaks, holidays, or whenever I became homesick.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college and from there into my career.
Loretta Gross
Hamilton High School
High school: Washington Park High School
First job: Taco Bell
College(s) attended: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and University of Ghana (study abroad)
Major(s): Educational studies in youth leadership and a minor in Africology, administrative leadership in adult and continuing education
Degree(s): Bachelor and masters of science in education
Why did you select this college? Before attending UW–Milwaukee, I was unsure of what I wanted to study. My junior year in high school I went on a class tour of UW–Milwaukee and learned of the variety of majors offered. I learned of the different ways I could gain out-of-class experience and loved that it was located in a city with a lot to do.
Did you go directly to college/work, or did you follow another route? I went directly to college after graduating from high school.
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