Second Year, On-Campus Cohort, Graduating in 2011…
GET
TO KNOW: ZOE CHANG…
I am originally from Lake Elmo, MN and I attended UW-La
Crosse for my undergrad. This year I have an assistantship with
the Office of Residence Life.
WHY UW-L ZOE???
I fell in love with the city and university during my
undergrad, so that is why I stayed at UW-L.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: JENNA EICHBERGER...
I am originally from Black River Falls, WI and I received my
undergrad from UW-Eau Claire. I have an assistantship in
Cartwright Graphics and I am also on a committee that programs
Celebrate UW-L.
WHY UW-L JENNA???
By the time I graduated, I knew that the world of Student
Affairs could lead to a challenging, creative, and rewarding
career. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I also have the
guidance of experienced faculty at UW-L and the privilege of
working with an outstanding cohort. It's an exciting time to be
at UW-L, and I couldn't wait to get started.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: EMILY GLYNN...
I am originally from Dover, MN and I went to Ball State
University for my undergrad. I have my assistantship in the
College of Liberal Studies in the Dean’s Office this year.
WHY UW-L EMILY???
UW-L offers what seems to be a great Student Affairs program,
and I can be closer to home before I go off and explore this
great world!
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: JUSTINE GRANT...
I am originally from Muskego, WI and I attended UW-Whitewater
for my undergrad. I have an assistantship in the Psychology
Department as an advisor this year.
WHY UW-L JUSTINE???
The program has a great practical component, the faculty and
staff are very supportive, and it's a beautiful community.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: ASHLEY GRICE…
I am originally from St. Louis, MO and I went to Elmhurst
College in Chicago, IL. I have my assistantship in the Office of
Residence Life.
WHY UW-L ASHLEY???
I came to UWL for many reasons, the first
being that I wanted to experience a school where the population
of students wasn’t too large or too small. Another reason would
be the location. La Crosse is in a small town and from my
experiences; I think I enjoy the small town atmosphere the most.
Of course, when I came to visit, I fell in love with other
environmental factors such as it's convenient location by the
river and the scenery of the trees and bluffs. But the number
one factor that absolutely sold me was the ICE CREAM! But on a
more serious note, UW-L was a place where I could have a fresh
start to life and really pursue what I truly believe to be my
passion in life; and that is to serve students in higher
education.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: JACKIE HEHN...
I am originally from Niagara, WI and I went to UW-Green Bay
for my undergrad. I have my assistantship at Western Technical
College in the Lunda Center.
WHY UW-L JACKIE???
I want to work in the University of Wisconsin system after
grad school so I hope to expand my professional network here at
UW-L. I heard terrific things about the people at UW-L and the
student affairs program has a great reputation. It doesn’t hurt
at all that the La Crosse area is a beautiful area!
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: JENNA KROSCH...
I am originally from Lake Crystal, MN and I received my
undergrad from UW-River Falls. I have my assistantship in the
Student Affairs Administration office this year.
WHY UW-L JENNA???
I came to UW-L because I liked the idea that everyone gained
experience by having an assistantship. I knew this would give me
great opportunities to see the different fields within student
affairs. I also loved the bluffs and all of the other outdoor
aspects La Crosse has to offer!
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: ROB PETERSON...
I am originally from Spooner, WI and I attended UW-Eau Claire
for my undergrad. I have an assistantship this year with the
Office of Residence Life where I am an Academic Resource Mentor
Supervisor and an Off-Campus, Residence Assistant (RA) for
International Students.
WHY UW-L ROB???
I believe that the SAA program is incredibly strong and will
prepare me for the next step in my professional career. The
campus is nice, the staff and faculty are friendly, and I got an
assistantship in my area of interest which is a huge plus.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: BRIANNE ROGERS...
I am originally from Birch Run, MI and I completed my
undergrad at Northern Michigan University. I have my
assistantship as a Student Association Advisor in the
University Centers.
WHY UW-L BRIANNE???
I came to UW-La Crosse for three main reasons. First,
the program offers a good balance between learning inside and
outside the classroom. The academic portion is stressed
equally with hands-on experience through assistantships and
internships. Secondly, when interviewing for the program, I felt
like people really wanted to learn about me, my background, and
different experiences. I wasn't just a number, but a unique
person. Finally, La Crosse is in a beautiful area and also
offers a nice size city - the perfect balance.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: LAUREN SCHROEDER...
I am originally from Elroy, WI and I went to UW-La Crosse for
my undergrad. I have an assistantship this year in Laux Hall as
an Academic Advisor.
WHY UW-L LAUREN???
The atmosphere is wonderful, there is so much to do, and the
program here at UW-L is amazing! I loved La Crosse so much as an
undergrad that I just HAD to stay for graduate school!
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: MICHELLE STERTZ...
I am originally from Bloomer, WI, but I now reside in Winona,
MN and I completed my undergrad at Winona State University. My
assistantship this year is in the Office of Graduate Studies and
Institutional Research.
WHY UW-L MICHELLE???
I chose UW-L for the reputation of the SAA program.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: LESLIE SVACINA...
I am originally from Oneida, WI but now I reside in Baldwin,
WI. I attended UW-River Falls for my undergrad and I also
completed a Master’s Degree in agribusiness at Kansas State
University. I have my assistantship this year in the
Universities Centers working with Dining Services and advising
The Racquet.
WHY UW-L LESLIE???
Choosing to attend UW-L was part of my process
to transition into a student affairs career. I specifically came
to UW-L because of the strong reputation of the student affairs
administration program. I also chose UW-L because of the
graduate assistantship opportunities, providing students with
hands on, real world student affairs experience.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: RYAN VAN LOO...
I am originally from Janesville, WI and I received my
undergrad from UW-La Crosse. My assistantship this year is in
the Office of Student Life.
WHY UW-L RYAN???
I returned to UW-L because I was familiar with
the high quality of the SAA On-Campus Program and the positive
reputation of its faculty and staff. Also, I was intrigued by
the opportunity to gain relevant work experience within Student
Affairs through the Graduate Assistantships offered.
Lastly, I love the La Crosse area! It is a beautiful
region with plenty of opportunities to get involved; both on
campus and in the community!
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: XIA VANG...
I am originally from Wausau, WI and I went to UW-La Crosse
for my undergrad. I am in the Office of Multicultural Student
Services for my assistantship this year.
WHY UW-L XIA???
I like that the faculty cares about the success of their
students and the reputation of the university.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: NOELLE WEBER…
I am originally from Onalaska, WI and I attended UW-Eau
Claire for my undergrad. My graduate assistantship for this year
and next is with the Violence Prevention Office; however, I will
be working as the Violence Prevention Specialist over at Western
Technical College.
WHY UW-L NOELLE???
Although I am from the La Crosse area, and UW-L is
conveniently located where I work and live. The reason why
I chose to study Student Affairs Administration at UW-L is
largely because of the graduate assistantships available which
will allow for me to apply what I learn in the classroom from
the very beginning of the program. I was also impressed
with the faculty experience and diversity that will provide me
with a well rounded and accurate picture of what the
"day-to-day" business in higher education administration really
involves.
Job Search:
GET
TO KNOW: CAYLA WENCL...
I am originally from Dodge Center, MN and I went to UW-River
Falls for my undergrad. I have an assistantship this
year with the Universities Centers Pride Center.
WHY UW-L CAYLA???
I liked that the cohort sizes were small and that the college
was a part of the UW system. Most of all, I liked that the SAA
program ensured the students were placed with grad
assistantships. I think it is very important for students,
especially myself, to apply classroom concepts to the everyday
professional world. Since I was offered a grad assistantship
upon acceptance into the program, I was ensured that I would
receive the experiences that I needed.
Job Search:
SAA On-Line Cohort, Graduated in 2010
GET TO KNOW: KIM GROCHOLSKI…
I am originally from the Twin Cities, MN and I completed my
undergrad at the U of M – Twin Cities. I am currently working
for UW-Madison for the Division of University Housing.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING ONLINE???
There are several reasons why I enjoy the online SAA program.
First, I appreciate the rigor of the classes and interesting
reading, research, and discussions that I get to do. Secondly,
the asynchronous nature of the online classes allows me to
maintain a very full life while still being able to attend
graduate school.
GET TO KNOW: SUSAN JOHNSON…
I am originally from Hartland, WI but I grew up in Arlington,
TX. I am currently living in Whitewater, WI now and I completed
my undergrad at UW-Whitewater. I am currently working as a
Financial Aid Advisor in the Financial Aid Office at
UW-Whitewater.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING ONLINE???
The online program at UW-La Crosse is the perfect fit for someone
already employed in Student Affairs. I like having
"discussions" with students who work in a variety of Student
Affairs departments, and despite working in a virtual
environment, I feel very connected with my cohort and the UWL
professors. In addition, through the program lessons, I
have learned a great deal about my university, and the
completion of the Applied Project will allow me to give
something back to my university.

GET TO KNOW: KELLY PODACH-FRANCIS…
I am originally from Belleville, WI and I received my undergrad
from UW – Stevens Point. I am currently working as a Hall
Director at UW – Stout.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING ONLINE???
I like the flexibility I have to work at my own pace and how
applicable the information is to my everyday life as a Hall
Director.
GET
TO KNOW: AMY RACHUBINSKI…
I am originally from Appleton, WI and I completed my undergrad
from UW – Green Bay. I am currently an intern with the
Recruitment Team at Fox Valley Technical College.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING ONLINE???
The online program is great because of both the flexibility it
offers and the unique opportunity it provides to collaborate
with fellow students working in student affairs located in
different parts of the country and world. The professors are
accessible and engaged in our work and the course discussions
and other activities make for a very meaningful learning
experience.
GET TO KNOW: JAMIE SCHWEIGER…
I am originally from Appleton, WI and I did my undergrad at UW –
Stevens Point. I am currently working as an intern for the
International Office at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität
Bonn (University of Bonn) in Bonn, Germany.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING ONLINE???
I like the online program because it allows for so much
flexibility; because I am currently living abroad, this program
gave me the opportunity to continue my education and gain more
experience working in Student Affairs even from Germany. I
have really enjoyed the chance to work with and exchange ideas
with people working in different areas of Student Affairs from
so many different places.