WTG Achievers

Vol. 14, No. 6 January 2014

WTG puts Alverno accounting student on path to sucess

About the WTG How do students friends at other discover the who The twenty-three private, perfect ? For just memorize or independent, nonprofit many, it’s a matter information and universities of of a persuasive for exams. At operate without testimonial, and Alverno, we taxpayer support, but provide such was the synthesize what an invaluable public service to case for Alverno we learn and the state, educating more than senior Carla apply it in a real 60,000 students a year. Many of Echeveste. “My world context, Wisconsin’s best and brightest sister graduated which I think need financial help to attend the from Alverno and, is what sets this college of their choice. after I saw how Carla Esheveste of MilwaukeeMilwaukee, a student at apart she progressed College. from others.” The State of Wisconsin created and transformed native, Alverno’s unique the Wisconsin Tuition Grant during her time there, I knew approach to learning has She explains that her biggest (WTG) in 1965 to help qualified Alverno would be the perfect meant a world of difference. epiphany came during an Wisconsin citizens to succeed. fi t for me,” she explained. “What I like best about upper-level accounting Fully one-third of the low-income Alverno is the teaching course designed for working students who apply for the WTG For Carla, a style,” Carla said. “I have continued on page 2 are turned away every year for lack of funds. Each month WTG Achievers brings you success WTG helps Marquette senior who values stories of Wisconsinites for whom the WTG has made a significant Marquette thankful that the difference. senior Mariaines Wisconsin Tuition ––––––––––––––––––––– Morel knows the Grant has made it WTG Achievers is published value and importance possible for me to monthly by the Wisconsin of work and of an beat the odds and Association of Independent education. As a to obtain a college Colleges and Universities commuter student, degree,” she said. (WAICU), 122 W. Washington she drives an hour Avenue, Madison, WI 53703- every morning and Mariaines will 2723; 608-256-7761; night to travel to and graduate with a [email protected]. from the Milwaukee degree in Spanish campus, confi dent and has completed Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. that a Marquette a number of pre- President & CEO education is worth it. Mariaines Morel of Kenosha, a student at Mar- dental courses and quette University. plans on applying Wendy Wink Executive Vice President Mariaines believes able to go to college without to dental school. that “education is the only fi nancial support. A graduate She was fi rst introduced to Rick Roseneck, editor weapon to fi ght poverty” and of Tremper High School in the profession when she Director of Communications that the Wisconsin Tuition Kenosha, Mariaines saw a lot began working at Crawford Grant program opens doors of classmates get jobs right Orthodontic as a sterilization for many students like after high school to help technician. While she herself who would not be support their families. “I’m so continued on page 2 WTG Achievers Page 2 • January 2014

Carla Echeveste continued from page 1 FACT professionals. “I was working alongside people conference in Dubai, where she’ll build her who had extensive experience in the fi eld,” Carla skills through simulations and group discussions OF THE said. “It was intimidating at fi rst, but it really focused on social and economic policy. put my learning into perspective and made me MONTH excited to try to reach even bigger goals.” As a recipient of the Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG), Carla understands what a difference this In the last year, Carla has taken her learning to fi nancial aid has meant. She is grateful it has Minority undergraduates new heights and applied it on a greater scale. It given her opportunities to dream big and reach at WAICU schools have began with a four-day leadership summit at the high. “WTG has allowed me to explore interests Hesselbein Global Academy at the University of that I might not have otherwise found,” she a signifi cantly higher Pittsburgh, where she collaborated with student explained. “ graduation rate than UW leaders from around the world. System schools (almost 7 Carla has built an active life for herself outside “We worked in groups to explore different of the classroom as well. She served as the percentage points higher situations that helped us further develop our president of Hispanic Women of Alverno, after six years). global perspective,” Carla said. "It was an intense worked as a Student Ambassador on campus, learning experience, but I really grew my abilities volunteers in her community, and has worked as (Source: IPEDS to think critically and to think outside the box.” a peer tutor since her freshman year. Now, she’s Graduation Rates survey, working to develop an Alverno chapter of the Now Carla is headed to a week-long leadership Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. 2011-2012 data)

Mariaines Morel continued from page 1

originally planned on becoming a natural fi t for Mariaines, given her 600 low-income children every January physician’s assistant, she realized when commitment to community service. She at the School of she came to Marquette that her true volunteers for Walk’n My Shoes, a charity Dentistry. Mariaines helped Spanish- passion was dentistry. organization that provides clothes to the speaking families fi ll out paper work and disadvantaged, and she volunteers at talk to dentists. She also has volunteered Dr. John Crawford, D.D.S. and associate her local elementary school during the for Dental Health Month events, teaching professor of graduate orthodontics summer as a teacher’s assistant. adults and children about the importance at Marquette, has been impressed of oral health. with Mariaines. “Mariaines maturity, Home to Wisconsin’s only dental school, motivation and dedication allowed her Marquette has provided opportunities for “Marquette has a great reputation and to start as a sterilization specialist in high Mariaines to engage with the profession provides a great education,” she said. school and she is now an orthodontist and serve her community. She has “The Wisconsin Tuition Grant helped assistant in training assisting with certain volunteered at the Give Kids a Smile make Marquette a reality for me, and I am treatments,” noted Crawford. Day event, which provides free dental forever thankful.” Choosing a health profession was a screenings and cleanings to more than

Wisconsin’s Private Nonprofit Colleges and Universities Alverno College Milwaukee Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee Madison Bellin College Green Bay Milwaukee Lakeland College Sheboygan Beloit Northland College Ashland Appleton Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee Ripon College Ripon Marian University Fond du Lac Waukesha St. Norbert College De Pere Marquette University Milwaukee Kenosha Silver Lake College of the Holy Family Manitowoc Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee Columbia College of Nursing Milwaukee La Crosse Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee