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Vanguards

A page within Admissions

Meet our
Students

UWL Vanguards are student ambassadors who represent UWL and play a vital role in supporting Admission's recruitment efforts. By sharing their personal experiences, Vanguards help prospective students discover what makes UWL an exceptional place to learn, grown, and belong.

About the organization

Founded in 1976, the Vanguard organization has connected future Eagles with UWL through a personalized, student-to-student approach.

Beyond leading campus tours, Vanguards are active in campus and community events. Members have participated in the La Crosse Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade, UWL Move-in Week, Salvation Army bell ringing, Relay for Life, Neighbors' Day, and other service initiatives. Through these experiences, Vanguards continue a long tradition of community engagement while proudly representing UWL.

2026 UWL Vanguards

2026-27 Vanguards

Cayden Amidei

Cayden Amidei

Mukwonago, WI
Sophomore - Psychology & Theatre
Annalyse Armijo

Annalyse Armijo

Reedsburg, WI
Junior - Music Education
Cat Arnold

Cat Arnold

Fitchburg, WI
Sophomore - Public Health & Community Health Education
Luci Bein

Luci Bein

Plymouth, WI
Senior - Marketing
Mitchell Blenkush

Mitchell Blenkush

Shakopee, MN
Sophomore - Chemistry
Joe Bowen

Joe Bowen

Chicago, IL
Sophmore - Finance
Ella Carmen

Ella Carmen

Mukwonago, WI
Junior - Elementary & Middle Education
Mercy Diaz

Mercy Diaz

Wausau, WI
Junior - Biochemistry
Delaney Duckett

Delaney Duckett

Mount Horeb, WI
Senior - Biology
Daniel Duvernay

Daniel Duvernay

Appleton, WI
Junior - Public Adminstration
Kate Gillespie

Kate Gillespie

Elgin, IL
Senior - Exercise Sport Science
Kenzi Gillis

Kenzi Gillis

Green Bay, WI
Sophomore - Management
Jacob Golemniewski

Jacob Golemniewski

Franklin, WI
Senior - Psychology
Azia Hawkins

Azia Hawkins

Bloomington, MN
Sophomore - Criminology
Mya Hanson

Mya Hanson

Sun Prairie, WI
Sphmore - Psychology
Lucie Henning

Lucie Henning

Mequon, WI
Junior - Recreational Therapy
Eva Heying

Eva Heying

Algona, IA
Senior - Biology
Nora Hirthe

Nora Hirthe

Milwaukee, WI
Senior - Psychology
Hayden Hoffman

Hayden Hoffman

Racine, WI
Senior-Environmental Science & Geography
Yariza Luna Juarez

Yariza Luna Juarez

Arcadia, WI
Sophomore - Exercise & Sport Science
Lilly Kessler

Lilly Kessler

West Bend, WI
Junior - Recreational Therapy
Ava Lally

Ava Lally

Sussex, WI
Senior - Psychology
Tori Lemke

Tori Lemke

Seymour, WI
Senior - Math Education
Joseph Louis

Joseph Louis

Jaya, Malaysia
Senior - Biology
Olivia Michael

Olivia Michael

Sheboygan, WI
Junior - Sociology & Political Science
Olivia Noel

Olivia Noel

Neenah, WI
Junior - Marketing
Jenna Pazdernik

Jenna Pazdernik

Kenosha, WI
Senior - Management & Marketing
Logan Pietig

Logan Pietig

Rosemount, MN
Junior - Finance
David Priban

David Priban

Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic
Sophomore - Economics
Claire Rankin

Claire Rankin

Waterloo, IA
Senior - Recreational Therapy
Elena Rettler

Elena Rettler

Rubicon, WI
Junior - Recreational Therapy
Anna Sauer

Anna Sauer

Brookfield, WI
Sophomore - Undeclared (CBA)
Diana Schallock

Diana Schallock

Hartford, WI
Junior - Biology
Amaya Thesing

Amaya Thesing

Onalaska, WI
Junior - Exercise & Sport Science
Jocelyn Thomson

Jocelyn Thomson

De Pere, WI
Junior - Exercise & Sport Science
Sonnie Trabing

Sonnie Trabing

Prior Lake, MN
Senior - Exercise & Sport Science
Lucy Trainer

Lucy Trainer

Hudson, WI
Sophmore - Communication Studies
Kass Tregoning

Kass Tregoning

Evansville, WI
Senior - International Business
Tomi Williams

Tomi Williams

Elko New Market, MN
Senior - Finance
Claire Woznicki

Claire Woznicki

Sun Prairie, WI
Junior - Management

Yasmin Khalil

Doha, Qatar
Sophomore - Marketing
Bringing a candidate on campus for an interview?

Due to the high volume of prospective students and visitors to campus, UWL Vanguards are often not available to lead tours for interview candidates. The information below is intended to help search and screen committees provide a welcoming and informative campus tour experience for prospective employees.

Tips for leading a campus tour

  • Review the Campus Map and familiarize yourself with key buildings and campus spaces
  • Address candidates by their preferred name and pronouns
  • Plan a route in advance, but ask candidates if there are specific areas they would like to see
  • Avoid making assumptions about a candidate's interests, needs, or experiences
  • It's okay if you do not know an answer; let the candidate know that you will follow up
  • Be authentic and share your experience as a UWL employee
  • Incorporate personal stories and insights when relevant
  • If rain is forecast, contact Admissions to inquire about umbrella availability

Suggested Tour Route (30-45 min)

Candidate work area
Begin by showing the offices, classrooms, labs, or facilities where the candidate would be working or teaching

Potential route and areas to highlight:

  • Graff Main Hall
    • Human Resources
    • Affirmative Action
    • Business Services
    • Chancellor's Office
  • Centennial Hall
    • Student Support Services
    • Office of Multicultural Student Services
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Career Services
    • Classroom spaces
    • Common gathering and coffee areas
  • Murphy Library  
    • Library study and collaboration spaces
    • Murphy's Mug coffee shop
    • Tutoring Services
    • Writing Center
    • Public Speaking Center
  • Recreational Eagle Center (REC)
  • Campus Child Center
  • Parking Ramp/Police Services
  • Student Union
    • Dining locations
    • University bookstore
    • Credit Union
    • Bluffs (2nd floor)
    • Lower level
    • Exit Student Union through south entrance (facing Prairie Springs)