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From Norway to Wisconsin, children want to be social media influencers when they grow up

hugginsm — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:36:24 +0000

From Norway to Wisconsin, children want to be social media influencers when they grow uphugginsm June 22, 2026

Professor Matt Simoneau investigates kids' global fascination with careers in social media

This article appeared in Fortune, NewsBreak, and others, and originated from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

A second grader in Norway drew a YouTube logo when my colleagues and I asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. When we asked why, the child explained that YouTubers are famous and make lots of money.

When we asked second graders in Wisconsin this same question, we were surprised to often receive similar answers: Kids there also wanted to be YouTube influencers when they grow up.

I am a scholar of career and technical education. Since 2021, colleagues and I have spoken with a range of elementary, middle and high school students as young as 7 years old in the U.S. and Norway in 2024 to understand how children imagine their careers.

Our forthcoming research shows that social media has emerged as one of the biggest influences for young people’s career choice, second only to family, friends or teachers.

Over 60% of middle and high school students we surveyed from 2021-2024 said they wanted to be social media influencers or picked their future careers based on what they saw online. Other popular choices were professional soccer player, musician and actor.

Most young people will not go on to become successful social media influencers. Artur Debat/iStock Photos

Our process

In a separate January 2018 international study by the organization Education and Employers, 20,000 children, ages 7 to 11, were asked about their possible future careers and then explained how they learned about that job.

We decided to use a similar approach to understand children’s career dreams and influences.

In Wisconsin, we surveyed more than 80 different children, ages 7 to 11. We also conducted focus groups with more than 140 middle and high school students about their academic and career plans and what influenced their ideas.

We then conducted interviews in Norway with over 60 children in the same age range.

In both places, we gave kids simple prompts that included “When I grow up I would like to be … .” We also asked them, “How do you know about this job?”

We found that there is a disconnect between how schools are helping kids think about their possible future careers and what factors are actually influencing young people as they imagine their futures.

Influencer dreams

In some instances, students as young as 7 in Wisconsin and Norway simply drew the YouTube or TikTok logo, or wrote that they aspired to be an “influencer” without any idea of who or what they would influence.

They shared that YouTubers and influencers “gets lots of money” and that “they want to be famous.”

Students also drew pictures of footballers, musicians, actors and princesses. Some students shared career goals like becoming a wildlife biologist, pilot, engineer or filmmaker.

Older students were more likely to mention careers like nurse, electrician, engineer, teacher, welder, police officer and small-business owner – although becoming an influencer and content creator remained a common aspiration for teenagers and children.

We found that social media also had a positive influence on some students.

One student in a rural town said that online posts and videos encouraged them to want to become a marine biologist, even though the closest ocean is over 1,300 miles – or 2.09 million meters – away.

The limited role of schools

It’s common for middle and high school students to take online career interest surveys to help understand which jobs could be a good fit. Many schools also offer career fairs and job shadowing opportunities.

Most students, though, receive very limited individualized guidance on career paths from a school counselor.

But they generally do receive some kind of prompts to help them think about what sort of career they want.

Within roughly the past decade, 27 states began requiring personalized, multiyear educational plans that helps students as young as 11 years old develop their own education and career goals.

In 2015, for example, Wisconsin passed a new law that required school districts to provide academic and career planning services to students in grades 6 through 12. Students take an online career survey each year.

The students answer questions about their interests, and the online program then names a recommended career. The list typically includes traditional jobs like electrician or accountant, rather than something more modern, like content creator.

One potential reason is that many of the online career-planning programs schools use were created before social media became a central part of young people’s daily lives.

Some schools also have classes where high school students learn about different educational pathways and jobs. Yet these classes often meet only periodically, while high school students typically use social media every day. As a result, formal career education increasingly competes with a constant stream of online messages about work, success and the future.

Our focus groups with middle and high school students in Wisconsin revealed that few students find these online career planning programs at school helpful.

Students said they found career planning activities “redundant” and described them as “the same thing we did in middle school.”

One 17-year-old student in Wisconsin said the career survey was a “waste of time. The test told me I should be a truck driver.” This student took the survey when she had already been accepted into nursing school.

Students consistently said they learned more from conversations with teachers, counselors, family members and professionals than from online questionnaires.

While students are heavily influenced by social media, school career assessments typically don’t reflect this tendency. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

When dreams don’t match reality

Many young people now learn about careers through TikTok videos, YouTube channels, social media personalities and online communities. These influences can play a larger role in shaping career aspirations than formal school career-planning activities.

While many people aspire to make money online as influencers or content creators, nearly half of all online content creators earn less than US$15,000 a year.

I think that educators and families should recognize that young people are thinking about their possible careers – they are just more likely to rely on social media, rather than online surveys at school, to imagine their futures.

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Matthew Simoneau

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��Ͽ� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Report

giffeyt — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

��Ͽ� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Reportgiffeyt February 2, 2026

Annual rankings recognize bachelor’s and master’s programs for helping students advance education, career goals

Tom Giffey

Returning to school as an adult student balancing work, family or military responsibilities is a daunting challenge. ��Ͽ�’s Stout Online gives students the flexibility, affordability and support necessary to succeed in the face of this challenge, and in doing so has once again been ranked among the Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Stout Online helps working professionals begin or complete their degrees or advance their career goals through more than 30 online bachelor’s and graduate programs, as well as dozens of certificates, certifications, individual courses and development opportunities.

According to the just-released 2026 rankings from U.S. News, Stout Online offers some of the Best Online Programs in the state, region and nation. ��Ͽ� ranked No. 3 among all public universities in Wisconsin and Minnesota for its bachelor’s in management and leadership and its master’s in education and engineering programs. These programs also attained the following rankings:

Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs: No. 26 in the Midwest, No. 88 nationwide.
Best Online Master’s in Education Programs: No. 36 in the Midwest, No. 133 nationwide.
Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs: Top 19 in the Midwest, No. 79 nationwide.

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez

“With more than 1,300 online students, we understand that working professionals are balancing academic pursuits with many other responsibilities,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “Through flexible online offerings, we work to meet students where they are. Given ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic mission, we facilitate relevant, career-focused education to help working professionals increase their advancement opportunities and skills.”

U.S. News evaluates online programs based on a variety of factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies. Now in its 14th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. This year’s edition evaluated more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

Stout Online furthers students’ careers

��Ͽ� faculty are experienced industry experts dedicated to teaching the latest in technology and trends in their fields. Small cohorts build close communities and share a wealth of diverse perspectives to enhance each other’s learning.

M.S. Manufacturing Engineering Online

Our online M.S. Manufacturing Engineering program will improve your ability to respond to the needs of modern manufacturing.

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Students in the online M.S. in manufacturing engineering program, part of ��Ͽ�’s Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, enhance their professional skills through assignments and projects that apply to real-life industry problems. They build expertise in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management and manufacturing engineering processes. Students may also choose to earn a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate to meet the degree’s elective requirements.

M.S. Education

Our M.S. Education program will take your career in education further and enhance your impact on students' lives.

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The online M.S. in education is a 30-credit degree program built around a core of 18 teaching and applied research credits, with a selection of 12 elective credits to meet students’ career interests. While meeting those elective requirements, students may earn one of a number of professional certificates or certifications, including Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Instructional Design, Math Specialist, Reading Specialist or Teaching Adult Learners.

��Ͽ�’s School of Education also offers online master’s programs in school counseling and career and technical education as well as an Ed.D. in career and technical education leadership.

B.S. Management & Leadership

Our B.S. Management & Leadership program is designed to open new doors to advance your career through industry-enhanced classes and real-world experiences.

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��Ͽ�’s online bachelor’s in management and leadership program, offered through the School of Management, has been ranked No. 10 among the best online programs by BestAccreditedColleges.com. It offers eight concentrations to help professionals reach their career goals, including business leadership studies, community-based service management, finance and accounting, human resource management, operations management, project management, quality management, risk control and safety management, and supply chain management.

��Ͽ� graduates are in demand, with 99% employed or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation, a figure that rises to 100% among graduates of the three online programs honored by U.S. News. Those who received graduate degrees from ��Ͽ� had an annual starting salary of $74,000. Meanwhile, the average starting salary for recipients of ��Ͽ� undergraduate degrees was $57,000, according to the university’s most recent First Destination Report.

For its dedication to affordability and student outcomes, ��Ͽ� has earned national recognition as one of America’s Best Colleges by Money Magazine for two years in a row.

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Master’s in engineering, education; bachelor’s in business programs recognized for helping professionals advance their career goals

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Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankings

goersab — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:59:44 +0000

Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankingsgoersab February 4, 2025

Master’s in engineering, education; bachelor’s in business programs recognized for helping professionals advance their career goals

Abbey Goers

The decision to return to school as an adult or working professional can come with additional considerations. They need flexible, affordable programs that fit their needs, allowing them to balance work, personal time or family life.

��Ͽ�’s Stout Online helps working professionals begin or complete their degree or advance their career goals through more than 30 online bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as dozens of certificates, certifications, individual courses and development opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, depending on a person’s career field, the average salary with an associate’s degree is about $55,000, jumping to $77,000 with a bachelor’s degree and $90,000 with a master’s degree.

Stout Online offers some of the Best Online Programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings. Four of the university’s programs were named:

Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs: Top 20 in the Midwest, No. 70 overall
Best Online Master’s in Education Programs: Top 45 in the Midwest, No. 150 overall
Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs: Top 15 in the Midwest, No. 87 overall

��Ͽ� was ranked as No. 230 for Best Online Bachelor's Programs, with its most popular online degrees including management; business information technology; cybersecurity; digital marketing technology; human development and family studies; technology education; and hospitality, restaurant and tourism management.

In three of its four acknowledgments, ��Ͽ� was ranked second in Wisconsin. U.S. News surveyed more than 1,800 accredited programs nationally.

“As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, we have an applied learning portfolio across all modalities: online, hybrid and in-person,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.

“Our programs are responsive to workforce needs and it is important to meet students where they are. For many students, with work and/or family commitments, that means the need for a flexible and quality online educational experience. ��Ͽ� is committed to helping students achieve career advancement opportunities through our online offerings,” she said.

M.S. Manufacturing Engineering Online

Our online M.S. Manufacturing Engineering program will improve your ability to respond to the needs of modern manufacturing.

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Stout Online: designed with working professionals in mind

��Ͽ� faculty are experienced, industry experts dedicated to teaching the latest in technology and trends in their fields. Small cohorts build close communities and share a wealth of diverse perspectives to enhance each other’s learning.

Students in the M.S. in manufacturing engineering, in the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, advance their skills through assignments and projects that apply to real-life industry problems. They build expertise in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management and manufacturing engineering processes. Students may also choose to earn a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate.

The median annual wage for industrial engineers in the U.S. is $99,000, with employment growth projected at 12% over the next decade.

M.S. Education

Our M.S. Education program will take your career in education further and enhance your impact on students' lives.

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The M.S. in education is a 30-credit degree program built around a core of 18 teaching and applied research credits, with a selection of 12 elective credits to meet students’ career interests. Students may earn one of a dozen professional certificates or certifications, including Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Instructional Design, Math Specialist, Reading Specialist or Teaching Adult Learners.

��Ͽ�’s School of Education also offers master’s programs in critically needed areas of school counseling, and school psychology, as well as career and technical education and an Ed.D. in career and technical education leadership.

B.S. Management & Leadership

Our B.S. Management & Leadership program is designed to open new doors to advance your career through industry-enhanced classes and real-world experiences.

Learn More

��Ͽ�’s online bachelor’s in management program, offered through the School of Management, has been ranked No. 10 among the best online programs by BestAccreditedColleges.com. It offers eight concentrations to help professionals reach their career goals:

��Ͽ� graduates are in demand, with 99% employed soon after earning their degree, with undergraduates receiving a record average starting salary of $58,000, the best among higher education institutions in west-central Wisconsin.

Money Magazine named ��Ͽ� one of two public Best Colleges in Wisconsin, as well as one of the 45 Best in the Midwest, for its focus on affordability and student outcomes.

��Ͽ� is proud to be the first of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin to be certified for excellence in distance education practices. Its FOCUS2030 strategic plan includes five key goals, led by student success.

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��Ͽ� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News rankings recognize bachelor’s and master’s programs for helping students advance education, career goals

Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankings

Master’s in engineering, education; bachelor’s in business programs recognized for helping professionals advance their career goals

Inspiring Graduate: Alex Stuckert, M.S. Operations & Supply Management

‘I am capable of much more than I could ever have imagined.’

Master’s in engineering, education; bachelor’s in business programs recognized for helping professionals advance their career goals Manufacturing engineering lab

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��Ͽ� technology education instructor honored with statewide leadership award

polingj — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:51:22 +0000

��Ͽ� technology education instructor honored with statewide leadership awardpolingj April 18, 2024

Bauer recognized by Wisconsin Technology Education Association

The director of the Bachelor of Science program in technology education at ��Ͽ� has been honored by a statewide organization.

Barb Bauer recently received the 2024 Leadership Award from the Wisconsin Technology Education Association for her service on the WTEA board and being actively involved in promoting its mission. She also was nominated for the Educator of the Year award.

“I was honored to receive this award, and it was a huge honor to be nominated for the Educator of the Year award,” said Bauer, who was recognized at the WTEA annual conference in Wisconsin Dells.

��Ͽ�’s Barb Bauer receives the 2024 WTEA Leadership Award from Joe Ciontea, WTEA executive director. / Contributed photo

��Ͽ� also was represented at the event with a booth promoting the technology education program and the new automation leadership program. Chancellor Katherine Frank was one of the keynote speakers.

Bauer, an alum of the technology education program, has worked at ��Ͽ� since 2007. She also is manager of the Innovation and Creation Lab on campus.

“I love working with future educators, modeling how to teach, allowing them to take the theory they were taught and put it to practice. That’s the polytechnic at our university,” Bauer said.

Program graduates are prepared to earn a teaching license and teach technology for grades K-12, although most teach at the middle and high school level.

Technology education majors work on a project in a ��Ͽ� lab. / ��Ͽ�

“The tech ed program at ��Ͽ� really prepares our students to hit the ground running. There are opportunities for them to be in the (middle and high school) classroom during their freshman year. Technology education is always advancing, allowing one to be a lifetime learner,” Bauer said.

Recent graduates of the program reported 100% employment, part of ��Ͽ�’s best-in-the-region 99% employment rate for graduates.

��Ͽ�’s School of Education offers nine undergraduate and five graduate programs, along with five certificates and three certifications.

The mission of the WTEA is to provide “professional development for classroom instructors and proactive leadership in advocating the advancement of technology education by promoting relevant curriculum, communicating information and networking with leaders in education, business and industry.”

###

The director of the Bachelor of Science program in technology education at ��Ͽ� has been honored by a statewide organization. Barb Bauer award

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Doing for a day: Teach Day gives high school students a glimpse of possible career path

polingj — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 18:03:26 +0000

Doing for a day: Teach Day gives high school students a glimpse of possible career pathpolingj February 15, 2024

Interest in teaching brings 94 of them to campus to learn more about the School of Education’s seven undergraduate programs

High school students who attended Teach Day at ��Ͽ� learned quickly that the teaching profession, like the university’s other majors, is about doing.

Soon after arriving, the 94 students from 11 regional high schools were working on hands-on projects such as designing a billboard, writing a multigrade lesson plan and creating a public service announcement. ��Ͽ�’s slogan Do More on Day One reflecting the applied learning focus became Do for One Day.

“Students got a taste of teaching and heard from ��Ͽ� students what it’s like,” said Deanna Schultz, associate dean and School of Education director. “There’s such a huge need for teachers, a desperate need for fully licensed teachers. Teach Day helps build the teacher pipeline.

Ann Carlisle, director of ��Ͽ�’s art education undergraduate program, speaks to high school students during Teach Day. At right is art education major Courtney Burr. / ��Ͽ�

“It’s a fun day. We’ve had students who leave saying, “I can see myself at Stout,’” Schultz said of the biannual event that began three years ago.

In family and consumer sciences education, students were guided through a project by Professor Diane Klemme and several of her students. The visitors created two small Valentine’s Day candy boxes out of paper, one for residents of Our House Senior Living in Menomonie and one to give to a friend.

“We were hoping to show students the important skill of doing demonstrations in the classroom. Family and consumer sciences is a hands-on program, and future teachers will need to be able to do demonstrations in a classroom. We also wanted to connect service learning and giving back to the community,” Klemme said.

��Ͽ� technology education majors Cadence Calkins, left, and Miranda Johnstone lead high school students in a discussion about the teaching profession. / ��Ͽ�

In technology education, students created a public service announcement. “This allowed them to know what it was like doing a project as a teacher,” Instructor Barb Bauer said. “It also allowed them to work with other disciplines to help them understand we all have the same goals as teachers.”

In early childhood education, students made little “critters” out of craft materials and discussed lesson plans for how the animals could be used to teach children from prekindergarten to second grade.

They also visited the Child and Family Study Center and observed teachers working with infants and toddlers. Kennedy Reckmann, a junior from Lake City, Minn., an early childhood education major, led one of the tours to observation rooms.

Barb Bauer, technology education program director, talks with a high school student during Teach Day. / ��Ͽ�

Reckmann explained how she and other ��Ͽ� students use the rooms to “get an open view of what children are actually doing.” She is completing her prestudent teaching this semester with 4-year-olds at the center.

From 15 to 20 ��Ͽ� students in education programs supported Teach Day by leading interactive sessions.

Teachers and advisers accompanied the high school contingents, including Amanda Van Oosten, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Wausau West High School. She brought 24 students who were interested in a variety of teaching programs.

“Students have really enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the day, hearing from some of the Stout students and getting a real feel for the campus,” Van Oosten said.

Teach Day activities included hands-on projects in each of the seven undergraduate teaching majors offered at ��Ͽ�. / ��Ͽ�

“They get to see other students interested in what they’re interested in and put a face to the major,” she added.

Van Oosten teaches an Aspiring Educators class, in which students can dual-enroll and earn college credit at Northcentral Technical College. She also helps with the student chapter of Educators Rising.

Seven undergraduate teaching programs

Students were greeted by and received an overview of the day from Schultz and Professor Debbie Stanislawski. They also met with directors of the seven education undergraduate programs:

Seth Dutter, applied mathematics and computer science, with a math education concentration
Ann Carlisle, art education
Lindsay Barnhart, early childhood education
Klemme, family and consumer sciences education
Stanislawski, marketing and business education
Kevin Mason, special education
Bauer, technology education

Along with the Bachelor of Science programs, ��Ͽ� offers five graduate programs in education, five certificates and three certifications.

A total of 94 students from 11 regional high schools attended Teach Day, sponsored by ��Ͽ�’s School of Education. / ��Ͽ�

Teach Day drew mostly juniors and seniors. School districts represented were: Altoona, Augusta, Cameron, Chippewa Falls, Elk River, Minn., Gilmanton, Greenwood, La Crosse Logan, Loyal, River Falls and Wausau West.

Holly Vang, a senior from Wausau West, attended Teach Day for early childhood education in part because she is taking a Young Adult Education course and sees herself someday interacting with young children in her career in a teaching-related field.

“I see that teaching the next generation is very important. I really have respect for people who teach,” said Vang.

The day wrapped up with nine ��Ͽ� education majors answering questions from the high school students about life as a student at ��Ͽ�. They talked about the hands-on nature of the programs, opportunities to get involved on campus, small class sizes, close connections to professors, the convenience of campus and flexible class schedules compared to high school.

Along with the School of Education, Teach Day was supported by Enrollment and Strategic Initiatives, the Admissions Office, and Continuing Education and Conferences.

###

High school students who attended Teach Day at ��Ͽ� learned quickly that the teaching profession, like the university’s other majors, is about doing. Teach Day 5

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Two ��Ͽ� alumni leading the way in entrepreneurship, higher education

goersab — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:31:09 +0000

Two ��Ͽ� alumni leading the way in entrepreneurship, higher educationgoersab November 20, 2023

Tanya Ragan and Kristen Raney change lives through building communities

Abbey Goers

Two ��Ͽ� alumni, a nation apart, are working to change lives and build communities through dedication to their individual industries – real estate and higher education.

Award-winning real estate company Wildcat Management has played a leading role in revitalizing downtown Dallas for almost two decades thanks to its president, owner and founder Tanya Ragan.

Kristen Raney made history when she was appointed as the first female president of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay this past July.

Committed to transforming communities

Wildcat Management, the only female real estate development company in downtown Dallas, specializes in the redevelopment of urban and historic neighborhoods. With more than 17 years of experience downtown, it has built a national reputation by working with public and private sector partners to create vibrant spaces that promote a sense of community and spark economic growth.

Tanya Ragan, president, owner and founder of Wildcat Management / Tanya Ragan

“I am a self-made business owner and female entrepreneur that has played a leading role in revitalizing downtown Dallas for almost two decades,” said Ragan, a 1997 fashion merchandising alum, now the fashion and retail program, with a business administration minor.

“Our niche is creating an authentic neighborhood experience with an emphasis on community building. I have seen firsthand how local businesses, residents and projects benefit when people come together and get to know one another in their communities. I like to say that I build things,” she added.

With passion, dedication and commitment to excellence, Ragan leads by example, prioritizing hard work, reliability and accountability.

Her main role is to be visible, present and committed to her team, partners and clients.

“The most important thing you can do is show up. As a woman working in a highly male-dominated industry – representation matters. Less than 1.5% of women in commercial real estate investment are self-made. The expectation for me is higher than my male peers, and I recognize the responsibility that comes with that role,” she said.

Ragan is also committed to empowering the next generation of businesswomen; investing in projects with strong female leads; and providing professional guidance to young business students at local universities through internships, mentorships and leadership conferences.

“I have turned my experience as a trailblazing businesswoman and self-made entrepreneur into a testimonial for female business owners throughout the country. Many of our awards are national and we have a broad reach. I believe that by bringing together like-minded professionals, I can help foster a collaborative environment that will lead to greater opportunities for all,” she said.

Wildcat Management advocates for small businesses, economic development and pro-community initiatives downtown. Ragan maintains relationships with local business organizations, state officials, City of Dallas leadership, the Dallas police department and various city departments.

Ragan organized and led efforts to revitalize and revive the Dallas Farmers Market neighborhood – now the largest residential district in downtown Dallas; and led teams to relocate and redevelop downtown’s oldest commercial building – the Liberty State Bank – and the historic Purse building.

Writing her story into NWTC history

With more than 20 years of higher education experience, Raney became the eighth president in Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s 111-year history.

Kristen Raney, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College president / Kristen Raney

“Leadership is about people and relationships. It is about sharing a vision, empowering others and fostering a culture of trust and respect,” said Raney, a 2006 master’s in education alum, with an online teaching and learning graduate certificate.

“NWTC’s commitment to access, equity and student success is outstanding. Every department is working to remove barriers for students. NWTC really lives one of its core values that ‘everyone has worth,’” she added.

NWTC, a two-year technical college serving nine counties, provides education, training and life-long learning opportunities for individuals and businesses leading to the development of a skilled and culturally inclusive workforce.

“Our students and graduates stimulate the economic vitality of our district as a result of the application of skills and knowledge acquired through the completion of certificates, degrees, diplomas and courses,” Raney said.

Raney’s priority is to meet with faculty, staff, community partners and area employers to build strong relationships internally and externally, ensuring NWTC remains a vital industry partner in northeast Wisconsin.

“NWTC’s mission inspires me because it reflects the impact technical and community colleges have on our students and workforce. We change lives and strengthen communities. It is incredibly powerful. As a mission-driven leader who has made student success the focus of my career, the president’s role is a call to serve students, employees and the communities surrounding Green Bay,” Raney said.

Most recently, Raney served as vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, in Davenport, Iowa. She was also vice president of Academic Affairs at Saint Paul College, St. Paul, Minn.; and dean of Academic Development and Services at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire. She has a Doctor of Education in higher education leadership from Edgewood College.

Ragan and Raney were featured in ��Ͽ�’s 2023 Outlook alumni magazine. The Alumni Association offers on- and off-campus alumni events, travel adventures, opportunities to impact student experiences and more. Contact the association to learn or to connect with alumni: 715-232-1151 or alumni@uwstout.edu.

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Stout Scholar is a ‘dedicated and passionate math teacher,’ hired before graduation

goersab — Mon, 22 May 2023 17:02:40 +0000

Stout Scholar is a ‘dedicated and passionate math teacher,’ hired before graduationgoersab May 22, 2023

Follow O’Brien’s senior year as she steps from the court into the classroom

Abbey Goers

��Ͽ� inspiring graduate and Stout Scholar Erin O’Brien began her job search for teaching positions in April during spring break and accepted a position the same week.

“I wanted to go somewhere, and now’s the time to do it. I don’t have anything holding me back,” said O’Brien, of South Haven, Minn. “I thought, ‘I could apply anywhere.’ And then, ‘Oh, my god. I could apply anywhere.’”

O’Brien’s mom suggested she pick three places that interested her, but also places her mom would want to go on vacation. O’Brien chose to research Colorado, Utah and Tennessee.

With a passion to help others find joy in math, O’Brien, an applied mathematics and computer science major with a concentration in math education, will teach either Geometry or Algebra 1 at LEAD Southeast High School, in Nashville, Tenn.

Erin O'Brien and Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��Ͽ�

O’Brien, a fourth-year member of the Blue Devil women’s basketball team, graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude, on May 6, one of 1,173 graduates.

She will move to Nashville in early July, shortly after completing her student teaching at Ellsworth Middle School in June.

The Stout Scholars Scholarship awards three outstanding incoming students each year with $5,000, renewable for up to four years, for a total of $20,000. Stout Scholars represent ��Ͽ�’s commitment to students’ success in their studies and their career readiness.

This is the fourth and final story in a series following O’Brien’s college experience at ��Ͽ�. Fellow Stout Scholar Nathan Thompson, double major in applied science and mechanical engineering shared his experiences as well.

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Follow two Blue Devils on their college journeys

‘Creating a positive learning environment for her students’

O’Brien completed her field experience last fall at Menomonie High School, observing in Dwight McNaughton’s Algebra Calculus AP classes. She was able to teach two algebra lessons. “It was a good experience being in the classroom again, since I hadn’t been in a high school classroom since I was in high school. We worked on arithmetic and geometric sequences, finding patterns in a list of numbers,” O’Brien said.

Erin O'Brien celebrates her graduation near the Bowman Hall Clock Tower / Erin O'Brien

Through her Multiculturalism in Education course, O’Brien observed math classes at Barron Middle School. She also worked with 10 to 12 students in the Expanding Learning Opportunities Program, in the English as a Second Language classroom.

O’Brien began her student teaching internship in Ellsworth in January, in an eighth-grade math classroom. Her co-op teacher, Karen Beard, was hired at the same time. “I’ve really been enjoying it,” O’Brien said. “Because we both came into the new classroom together, I got to hear Karen set her classroom expectations, and we go to talk together about our wants and goals for the students.”

Beard and McNaughton believe O’Brien will be an excellent teacher and an asset to LEAD’s math program, as she takes initiative working with students.

“Erin is a dedicated and passionate math teacher that cares about the success of all students in her classroom. She is an energetic and enthusiastic individual, and it carries over into her creating a positive learning environment for her students,” Beard added.

After teaching much of the algebra course through her internship, O’Brien is confident and prepared to lead her first classroom in Nashville.

“Eighth graders are a tough group. They feel like they’re top dog in middle school, but they’re basically freshmen,” she said. “I once heard that if you can teach eighth graders, you can teach any group of kids. They’re good kids but they like to test your boundaries.

“It’s also about trying to find ways to bridge gaps with them. The pandemic really hurt young students’ education and social experiences. So, how do we prepare them for algebra when some of them don’t have other basic skills?” she added.

For students who need additional support in math, Ellsworth has an online Foundations in Math program, which students can take at their own pace. O’Brien helps to set up students with the program.

She is also working with Spanish-speaking ELO students at Ellsworth, teaching them math in English and Spanish, with added activities to help in their speaking skills, like playing hangman using math-associated words. She finds the experience very rewarding, as LEAD Southeast High School is very diverse and has a high ELO population, she said.

“I’m really excited to be able to work one-on-one with students and helping to find resources and figure out a plan for what they need in math,” she said.

Erin O'Brien with her mentors Amanda Rogers and Laura Schmidt at the Honors College Bestow the Stoll ceremony / Erin O'Brien

O’Brien worked as a teaching assistant in the Math Teaching and Learning Center for five semesters. This spring, she received the Student Employee of the Year at the annual Leadership Awards. Her mentors Professor Laura Schmidt, director of the MathTLC, and Learning Center Specialist Amanda Rogers joined O’Brien at the Bestow the Stole ceremony for the Honors College.

“Erin has been a fantastic student during her years here at Stout, and I have truly loved getting to know her while she has tutored for us in the MathTLC. She will be greatly missed,” Schmidt said.

“Erin continually balanced her coursework, TA position, and other involvements, and her passion and dedication was always evident in all areas. She is a natural teacher, leader, role model and mentor. We are very excited for her next chapter and know she will continue to do great things,” Rogers added.

A surreal victory capping off four years

O’Brien played center for the women’s basketball team for four years. The team won its second through 11th games, including a Senior Night match versus UW-La Crosse. “My parents were at the game,” O’Brien said. “We won in double overtime. In four years, we’d never beaten La Crosse. It was exciting.”

Erin O'Brien with her parents and Coach Hannah Iverson at Senior Night / Erin O'Brien

The team started the season with all members returning, except 2022 graduate Lizzy Olsem. “It was hard to fill Lizzy’s shoes. She was a great leader for our team,” O’Brien said. “We all kind of took on a role in leadership this season, and it all flowed.”

The highlight for O’Brien this year was the 63-45 victory over UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 15, when ��Ͽ� became Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference co-champion, the team’s first regular season conference title in 16 years.

Blue Devil women's basketball highlights / ��Ͽ� Athletics

With former teammate Olsem in the crowd, O'Brien scored at the buzzer to give ��Ͽ� a 17-14 lead heading into the second quarter. “The sections were packed. The game was one of the highest attended games in WIAC for women’s basketball,” O’Brien said.

“It was announced at halftime that Whitewater had lost to Platteville. But we were still in the locker room, so we didn’t know that the game we were playing against Eau Claire turned into a battle for a share of the WIAC championship title” O'Brien said.

“Toward the end of the fourth quarter, the student section was chanting ‘WIAC champs,’ and Lizzy kept holding up a ‘No. 1’ finger, but we didn’t know what she meant,” O’Brien added. “We found out within the last two minutes of the game. It didn’t seem real because you want it so bad, and we actually met our goal to cut down the nets and be WIAC champs.”

The team celebrated each other and the season at the annual basketball banquet. “It was hard saying goodbye. This team is so much more than its talent. We love each other with all of our hearts,” O’Brien said. “Your team is your family, and that’s really true here. We give each other love and grace and support what each of us wants to achieve.”

Blue Devil women's basketball team shares the title of the WIAC championship / ��Ͽ� Athletics

She added that even though she struggled and sacrificed a lot – taking a step off the court in her junior year to cheer her team on from the bench to be able to focus more on her academics; giving up free time to be at practice and traveling for games; and struggling with the toll it took on her body and mental health – her four years as a student athlete helped more than it hurt.

“There’s always these big ifs,” she said. “Maybe I would have been healthier if I didn’t play – that was a big question mark for me last year. But you don’t want to give up and that makes it hard. And all those hard things made the championship feel even more surreal.”

O’Brien is thankful for her counselor, Kyle Kershek, in the Student Counseling Center. “Kyle helped me develop the skills I needed to make sure I stayed healthy mentally. He made me feel heard and helped me work through my struggles throughout my four years here at Stout,” O’Brien added.

Meeting her academic goal was priority

This spring, O’Brien was one of 56 to receive the Scholar Athlete award. Recipients must have a cumulative 3.5 grade point average in the semester preceding their final season of eligibility.

Scholar Athletes receive a medallion, and a large action poster of each senior will be displayed in the Sports and Fitness Center during the upcoming year.

“Academics and my education have always been the most important part of my time here,” O’Brien said. “If academics is truly what I’m here for, then I set a goal to be up there on the wall in the fieldhouse.”

Erin O'Brien and Associate Athletic Director Erin Sullivan at the Scholar Athlete awards / ��Ͽ�

The Scholar Athlete program is supported by the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

This season, O’Brien played 102 minutes, scored 36 points and had 21 rebounds, with six rebounds during the WIAC championship game. Her career totals are 424 minutes, 163 points and 102 rebounds. She has played basketball since the second grade. She plans to join a summer league and hopes to coach someday.

O’Brien was also vice president of the AMCS women’s group, which held study and game nights and hopes that as a couple of younger students take over the helm, the group stays thriving.

And she also always made sure to take a break for Tuesday Night Trivia at the Silver Dollar restaurant in downtown Menomonie. “It was nice to do some mind exercises, outside of basketball. It’s good to have a separate place to sit with friends and eat a good burger and fries,” she said.

O’Brien’s college experience made her more confident and comfortable stepping out of her comfort zone. Looking back on her four years at ��Ͽ�, she is proud to have been able to “do it all and have it all. I was able to do athletics and still keep my academics where I wanted them. I’ve always been a high achiever,” she said.

“I had fun on the weekends and at campus events. I was able to find a balance even with many hiccups. When you get knocked off balance – when you’re out of sync – you find your way back. Having people who cared – my professors, classmates, teammates, coaches and counselors – made all the difference.”

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Follow O’Brien’s senior year as she steps from the court into the classroom Erin O'Brien, commencement, 2

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Three commencement ceremonies on May 6 at ��Ͽ� celebrated the progress, perseverance and success of 1,173 graduates.

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Hero Caption: Stout Scholar Erin O'Brien crosses the stage at commencement. She'll soon start her career as a math teacher in Tennessee.

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Teaching excellence: Four School of Education alum honored with awards

polingj — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:08:45 +0000

Teaching excellence: Four School of Education alum honored with awards polingj March 20, 2023

Emily Larson recognized as state family and consumer sciences Teacher of the Year

In 20 years of teaching family and consumer sciences, Emily Larson has built a powerhouse program at Amery High School in northwestern Wisconsin.

Larson created a Leadership Academy and directed an overhaul of the school’s family and consumer sciences kitchen, among other achievements, to help students “become leaders in the classroom and the community.”

In March, the 2003 University of Wisconsin-Stout alum was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is one of four School of Education alum, whose programs are based in Heritage Hall, to be recognized recently.

Emily Larson, a 2003 ��Ͽ� graduate, recently was named Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She teaches at Amery High School. / Contributed photo

“I was honored, delighted and surprised because I knew I was against some incredible FCS teachers. Wisconsin has some of the best family and consumer sciences teachers in the nation, and I am fortunate to collaborate with them because it makes us better teachers for our students,” said Larson, who accepted the award at the WAFCS conference in Onalaska.

The other School of Education alum recently recognized are:

Kendra Haessly, 1988 graduate and a teacher at Grant Elementary in Marshfield, received a regional Crystal Apple award for the second time.
Jamie Nord, who is executive director of the St. Croix River Education District, received the Outstanding Central Office Leader award from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. She received a Master of Science in education in 2006 and an Education Specialist degree in school psychology in 2008.
Jonathan Szymanski, 2022 graduate and a counselor at Manz Elementary in Eau Claire, received a Golden Apple regional honor.

��Ͽ� has seven undergraduate and three graduate programs in teacher education. Students in the programs will benefit from the renovation of Heritage Hall, which received priority approval from the UW System Board of Regents, is ranked No. 1 in the Chippewa Valley and No. 3 for major academic building renovation projects.

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The School of Education offers challenging education programs that prepare highly qualified, successful teachers, leaders, and student services professionals.

Renovation, supporting Wisconsin’s workforce needs including teacher shortages, is slated to begin in 2026.

“��Ͽ�’s alumni are well-prepared as educators, and these award recognitions demonstrate the impact the recipients are making in their schools and communities. I am so proud of these alumni for their accomplishments and for the examples they set for others,” said Deanna Schultz, School of Education director.

The employment rate for graduates from the programs in fall 2021 and spring 2022 was nearly 100%, according to ��Ͽ�’s new First Destination report.

��Ͽ� was foundation for career

A native of Merrillan in Jackson County, Larson said ��Ͽ� “was excellent at helping me prepare for my family and consumer sciences education degree. ��Ͽ� instructors go above and beyond to help and encourage.”

She cited late Professor Carolyn Barnhart. “She was not only an outstanding instructor, but she also mentored me until her passing in 2020. She would send me encouraging quotes and visited me when I had my classroom remodeled. She brought me a ��Ͽ� banner to hang in my classroom,” Larson said.

Larson, who has maintained strong ties with ��Ͽ�, oversaw a renovation of the kitchen in the family and consumer sciences program at Amery. / Contributed photo

“This award is not only mine but also Dr. Carolyn Barnhart's. I am where I am today because of her mentorship and guidance throughout my FCS career.”

Larson returns to ��Ͽ� annually to speak at a family and consumer sciences conference and has been a guest speaker in classes.

Larson supports students, community

The WAFCS award is one of Larson’s many honors. In 2018, she was Wisconsin VFW Teacher of the Year, is in the Who’s Who Among American Teachers and has received a National Presidential service award. She also was chosen to create lesson plans for the National Pork Association.

She also serves on the WACFS board and was president in 2022.

One of her major achievements was creating the FCS Leadership Academy in 2015 at Amery. Students explore career pathways, participate in service-learning, develop leadership skills and take dual credit classes through two colleges. They can become certified and earn certificates in the areas of leadership, health, food and child care.

Leadership activities include youth apprenticeship, work-based learning, running a school-based enterprise, online school store and catering business. One business enterprise is roasting coffee beans — all opportunities aligned with the polytechnic, applied learning identity of ��Ͽ�.

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She is the only family and consumer sciences teacher in the high school.

“I love teaching my students life skills, like being a good parent or preparing healthy, nutritious meals,” she said, citing 21 classes she has taught including subjects such as child development, foods and nutrition, food science, architecture and design, catering, health and leadership.

As part of her teaching and outreach, Larson directs the high school chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, which promotes personal growth and leadership development. About 25% of students take part, and the chapter consistently ranks in the top three in the state for membership. Students can take part in an FCCLA event each year at ��Ͽ�.

Larson, who has three children, is licensed to teach health education and earned a minor in health at ��Ͽ�. She is a certified CPR instructor and has been active as a volunteer in Amery and Polk counties. Her husband, Neil, also is a ��Ͽ� graduate and teaches technology education in the Clear Lake school district.

Larson also teaches summer classes at Clear Lake Elementary.

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In 20 years of teaching family and consumer sciences, Emily Larson has built a powerhouse program at Amery High School in northwestern Wisconsin. Emily Larson 2

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Alumna wins national family and consumer sciences award

A University of Wisconsin-Stout alumna and family and consumer sciences/health teacher at Bloomer High School has been named a 2021 National Merit Finalist by a

Barnhart honored by American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

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University to host 20 high school teams for 51st DECA District event; judges needed

polingj — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:14:28 +0000

University to host 20 high school teams for 51st DECA District event; judges neededpolingj December 22, 2022

Close to 450 students expected for Jan. 7 regional competition

��Ͽ� will host the DECA District I Career Development Conference for the 51st straight year on Saturday, Jan. 7.

The event, organized and run by the ��Ͽ� Marketing and Business Education Association, is an applied learning experience for high school competitors and ��Ͽ� students.

The competition is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Student Center, followed by awards. An orientation for judges begins at 9 a.m.

Approximately 65 regional business and marketing professionals are needed as volunteer competition judges. To volunteer, register online.

DECA district winners receive awards at a recent competition at ��Ͽ�. The 51st annual event for about 450 high school students will be held on campus Jan. 7. / Contributed photo

Nearly 450 student participants from 20 area high schools are registered. The schools are:

Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North, Elmwood, Glenwood City, Holmen, Hudson, La Crosse Central, La Crosse Logan, Alma Center Lincoln, Melrose-Mindoro, Menomonie, Northwestern, Plum City, Sparta, Stanley-Boyd, Superior, Tomah and West Salem.

They will compete in 19 individual and eight team events. Students’ skills are tested in business services, marketing management, hospitality and tourism, marketing strategy, retail sales and services, sports and entertainment marketing, financial services, and entrepreneurship.

Winners and runners-up in each category advance to the State Career Development Conference competition Monday, Feb. 27, to Wednesday, March 1, in Lake Geneva.

“The conference concurrently prepares the university’s marketing and business education majors to become teachers while benefiting high school competitors,” said Professor Urs Haltinner, director of ��Ͽ�’s doctorate degree in career and technical education and an event coordinator.

Winners and runners-up from the ��Ͽ� event advance to the state competition in Lake Geneva. / Contributed photo

DECA has 215,000 members in 3,500 high school chapters and 275 collegiate chapters.

“DECA prepares youth for career pathways in marketing, business management and administration. It is the premier career and technical student organization serving marketing programs in high schools and colleges around the globe,” Haltinner added.

��Ͽ� offers a bachelor’s degree program in marketing and business education as well as the most extensive array of career and technical education teaching degrees in the UW System.

The marketing and business education program is part of ��Ͽ�’s School of Education, which is in Heritage Hall. The near-50-year-old building is scheduled for major renovation after receiving priority approval from the UW System Board of Regents. The project is ranked No. 1 in the Chippewa Valley and No. 3 for UW System academic buildings.

For more information about the competition, contact Haltinner, haltinneru@uwstout.edu, 715-232-1493, or student conference co-coordinator Zach Malovrh, malovrhz1926@my.uwstout.edu. Malovrh, of Wausau, is a third-year marketing and business education major.

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��Ͽ� will host the DECA District I Career Development Conference for the 51st straight year on Saturday, Jan. 7. deca1medalsweb.jpg

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Marketing and business education students receive hands-on experience judging statewide competition

Future teachers learn to prepare their students to be successful business leaders

Debbie Stanislawski

Debbie Stanislawski is ��Ͽ�'s Program Director for Marketing and Business Education (MBE). In this role, she provides academic advising to all students in the MBE major, leads curriculum development and implementation, and teaches courses on assessment, curriculum design, and instruction. Debbie also oversees clinical experiences for aspiring educators. Additionally, she teaches leadership courses within the doctoral program and mentors graduate students in career and technical education, guiding them through their thesis and dissertation work. Before joining ��Ͽ�, Debbie gained valuable experience teaching middle and high school business in Wisconsin and Illinois. Her time in the PK-12 education system ignited her passion for preparing future educators. Debbie's research interests include instructional technology, particularly in exploring how educators at ��Ͽ� integrate generative AI into their coursework. She is also deeply involved in research focused on the comprehensive preparation of future teachers for their roles in career and technical education. In her free time, Debbie enjoys kayaking, hiking, training hunting dogs, and traveling.

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Stout Scholar has ‘a true passion for teaching,’ takes on new leadership roles

goersab — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Stout Scholar has ‘a true passion for teaching,’ takes on new leadership rolesgoersab August 25, 2022

Follow O'Brien's third year as she prepares for prestudent teaching

Abbey Goers

Sitting with her family in a restaurant as a child, Erin O’Brien remembers her dad sliding her the check and helping him to calculate the tip for their server. This was her first experience with math, and having fun with her dad, it left a strong impression on her.

Just having completed her junior year as an applied mathematics and computer science major with a concentration in math education at ��Ͽ�, Stout Scholar O’Brien looks forward to her career as a teacher when she can help students enjoy learning math too.

Stout Scholar Erin O'Brien at a waterfall in Waimea Valley, while studying abroad in Hawaii. / Erin O'Brien

O’Brien, of South Haven, Minn., would like to teach at the middle or high school level, in higher level algebra or calculus. As a teaching assistant in the Math Teaching and Learning Center – a tutoring center on campus – she’s receiving hands-on skills tutoring her peers.

“The Math TLC is giving me experience teaching, and I can work around my class and basketball schedule,” said O’Brien, who plays center for the Blue Devils.

“I can go in and talk to the mentors, professors Amanda Larson and Laura Schmidt, anytime. They let me follow through with my own lesson plans and teach the Math 80 classes I request.

“And Dr. Sturgill has been a mentor math ed-wise,” she added, referring to Assistant Professor Derek Sturgill. “He’s a funny dude but is always very concerned about his students’ welfare.”

Larson and Schmidt have worked with O’Brien since she started as a Math TLC teaching assistant two years ago.

“Erin is a fantastic tutor and one of the best I have worked with over the seven years I have been director,” Schmidt said. “Her choice to begin a career in secondary math education is a perfect one for her. She is extremely knowledgeable, patient with students and truly understands their needs and worries.”

Larson agreed. “Erin has shown exemplary work as a TA with the Math TLC since day one and continues to show commitment to success for all students each and every day on the job,” she said. “She has a true passion for teaching and has a bright future ahead of her as a future teacher.”

Erin O'Brien with friends at a Blue Devils football game. / Erin O'Brien

One of O’Brien’s favorite courses her junior year was Graph Theory, where she used graphs to solve real-world problems like scheduling conflicts or mapping routes.

“For example, Google Maps uses graph theory to find the shortest route possible between two points,” she explained. “You can find examples in history too. For our partner project, we researched how Roman Emperor Constantine protected the city using graph theory by moving his armies to different locations.”

O’Brien also serves as vice president of AMCS Women’s Club, where women and nonbinary people can connect with others interested in the field. The club provides professional development and networking opportunities, as well as study and game nights.

O’Brien will begin her prestudent teaching this fall and will take a Multiculturalism course to learn equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching. She’s hoping for placements in the Menomonie area to be near campus during the basketball season.

Being a team is about more than winning

The women’s basketball team was seeded second in the conference playoffs for the 2021-22 season. O’Brien saw action in 11 games. When she felt she needed to focus more on her academics, she approached her coaches with her concern.

“It was a hard decision to choose between basketball and academics. Choosing a path, you always wish you could do everything,” she said. “But my coaches and team are great support. Our team is like family, and our coaches care about our whole selves as young women, rather than just a basketball team. The team atmosphere is more than about winning.”

Erin O'Brien, center for Blue Devils basketball. / ��Ͽ�

During practice she played on the scout team, studying opponents’ plays and running them at full speed against her teammates. She credits senior Lizzy Olsem, starting forward, for giving her confidence as a scout player.

“Everyone plays their role to the best of their ability, whether a start or scout,” she said.

“We were really motivated this year, and we found ways to be energetic and cheer our team on. Even though all of us wanted to be out on the floor, it was fun to support the team from the bench too.”

With a coaching minor, O’Brien has learned CPR, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, prevention of injuries and coaching theory. She volunteered at the university’s basketball camp in June, where she used some of her classroom experience firsthand and took on new leadership roles.

She is also working with University Housing this summer as a conference assistant and appreciates the flexibility the job offers around her schedule.

Living off campus, O’Brien enjoyed having her own kitchen and yard, and a place to hang out and invite friends over. With space to relax, O’Brien still found comfort on campus as well and continued to see her counselor at the Counseling Center, helping her work to through struggles and find focus, she said.

“The Counseling Center is a great resource. A lot of people struggle with anxiety or depression and may be ashamed to talk about it, but everyone needs a little extra help,” she said. “My counselor helps me mentally and helped me find what I need to do for self-help, like journaling, meditation and yoga.”

Expanding her perspective and exploring new places

From May 26 to June 12, O’Brien joined the Environment and Sustainability course in Hawaii, an opportunity she’d been waiting two years for while study abroad was delayed because of the pandemic.

Erin O'Brien, fourth on the left, at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout on Oahu with her study abroad class. / Erin O'Brien

Led by ��Ͽ� Professor Julie Beston and onsite Coordinator Loretta Chen, O’Brien learned about the local ecosystems on the islands, with group side trips to see an active volcano at night, swim at a waterfall, cliff jump and surf.

“It was a class I needed to take, and who doesn’t want to learn in Hawaii,” she said.

O’Brien’s favorite experience was going to the Paepae O He'eia fishpond, where she learned about the restoration process of the pond and its goal to feed people in the community.

O’Brien, left, and fellow students at the Paepae O He'eia fishpond. / Erin O'Brien

“How they talked about the restoration process was very spiritual, or sacred to them, and I found that so interesting,” she said. “Before this trip, I only thought about the academic definition of sustainability or restoration, and now my definition has definitely expanded.

“Hawaii was an amazing experience. I learned so many new things. The group of people I traveled with made it even better,” O’Brien said.

“I made new friends with the students in the class. Professor Beston was amazing to travel with, and Dr. Chen was one of the best people that I met on this trip. She was just so kind and outgoing and made you feel at home.

“Honestly, I think it is a Hawaii thing, because every person I met was so kind and welcoming to us and it made being so far from home a lot easier,” she said.

More than 70 ��Ͽ� students studied abroad or away from campus this past summer in more than 10 countries and programs.

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