Campus Connection

UWL marketing alumni build careers, community in La Crosse

Across Wisconsin, communities are facing the challenge of retaining young professionals after graduation.  

In La Crosse, UWL alumni are showing how that challenge can be turned into an opportunity. By building connections during internships and finding fulfilling work at local organizations, recent UWL graduates are choosing to stay and invest their talents right here in the Driftless Region. 

For three marketing alumni — Hayden Knoll, ’23, McKenna Bladl, ’24, and Madeline Geszvain, ’23 — the transition from students to professionals happened seamlessly. 

Knoll’s story began at Kwik Trip, where she first worked part time in high school. That early experience gave her a glimpse of the company’s values and culture. When Knoll started at UWL, she knew an internship at Kwik Trip was a goal worth pursuing.  

“My internship helped me discover a specific area within marketing that I resonated with, which was influencer marketing,” Knoll says. “It was a niche I hadn’t learned about in school, but it’s rapidly growing and evolving. As I gained experience, I realized how passionate I was about this space and how I could see it working into my future.” 

Now, Knoll manages Kwik Trip’s Merch Program, developing and promoting branded apparel, and coordinates partnerships with more than 60 influencers at any given time. Knoll credits her UWL coursework for preparing her for such a dynamic role.  

“Across my business courses, I developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills that I still use today,” Knoll explains. “My business communications class gave me professional writing and public speaking skills I use daily, and graphic design and photography courses helped me become proficient in tools I now use in my job.” 

Bladl also discovered the power of UWL’s classroom-to-career connection during her internship at Citizens State Bank. 

“Even with just a quick look at their website and social media, I could tell this was a place where people genuinely enjoyed working and supporting one another,” Bladl recalls. “I realized I don’t want to feel like I’m simply ‘going to work.’ I want to feel excited about my career. That’s exactly how it feels at Citizens.” 

As an intern, Bladl was entrusted with meaningful projects, including designing the artwork for the bank’s ATM.  

“Knowing my work would be seen by the community for years to come gave me a true sense of purpose,” Bladl says. “I was also included in meetings and planning sessions where my ideas were not only heard but sometimes implemented. The recognition I received from coworkers and even the CEO made me feel like a valued employee.” 

That validation led Bladl to stay on after graduation. Today, her responsibilities have grown, but the sense of purpose remains.  

“Every day still feels engaging and fulfilling,” Bladl says, “and I continue to build new skills while taking on projects that allow me to make a bigger impact on the bank.” 

For Geszvain, mentorship played a pivotal role in her decision to intern, and ultimately work full time, at Dairyland Power Cooperative. It was her UWL marketing professor, Nese Nasif, who encouraged her to apply. 

“Professor Nasif’s confidence in my abilities and guidance was instrumental in shaping my decision,” Geszvain says. “It’s clear that I wouldn’t be in my current full-time position at Dairyland without her encouragement.” 

During her internship, Geszvain supported the member services team, contributing to communications, events and outreach to Dairyland’s cooperative members. The experience opened her eyes to the importance of utilities in powering communities.  

“I found the utility industry to be far more fascinating than I had expected,” Geszvain says. “What resonated with me most was the sense of purpose behind the work we do — powering communities and supporting member cooperatives.” 

Now, as an event coordinator, Geszvain helps organize everything from internal meetings to Dairyland’s 500-attendee Annual Meeting. Just months into her role, she assisted with the planning for President Joe Biden’s 2024 visit to a Dairyland member cooperative.  

“This unique opportunity allowed me to collaborate with the White House staff and Secret Service, which is a milestone I never imagined achieving so early in my professional journey,” Geszvain says. 

For Knoll, Bladl and Geszvain, the decision to stay in La Crosse reflects more than professional opportunity. It’s also a commitment to giving back to the community where they studied, grew and built connections.  

“I’m grateful UWL prepared me not just for a job, but for a career that feels meaningful,” Bladl says.