Wisconsin Achievers Vol. 15, No. 12 July 2015 About Leadership opportunities at Edgewood College make the difference Wisconsin Grants If you’re looking for an has left a positive mark on years, served on Student The twenty-four private, example of a young person campus. And, even bigger Government Association for or independent, nonprofit making the most out of opportunities are just around three years, I was president colleges and universities of life’s opportunities, look no the corner. of Student Government Wisconsin operate without further than Nick this year, and I taxpayer support, but provide Hefty. was Senior RA this an invaluable public service year as well,” he to the state, educating nearly The Platteville says. “There are so 60,000 students a year. Many of native, who many leadership Wisconsin’s best and brightest graduated in May opportunities. need financial help to attend the 2015 Magna Cum Each time I turned college of their choice. Laude with a degree around there was an in Political Science, opportunity to do The Wisconsin Tuition Grant, is one of those something different.” now known as Wisconsin Grants, students whom was enacted in 1965 to help everyone knows. His Nick says that’s one qualified Wisconsin citizens commitment to his of the advantages to succeed. Fully one-third of college experience, Nick Hefty addresses entering freshmen of Wisconsin’s the low-income students who made possible by at Edgewood College. private colleges and apply for the Wisconsin Grants the Wisconsin universities. He are turned away every year Grant and fi nancial support “I was an RA (resident says with a smaller school for lack of funds. Each month from Edgewood College, assistant) for three continued on page 2 Wisconsin Achievers brings you success stories of Wisconsinites Leading a life of service with help from the Wisconsin Grant at WAICU member campuses for whom Wisconsin Grants have Service and learning are education will allow me to aid. That’s why I chose made a significant difference. at the heart of the Marian achieve my goals. I knew I Marian.” University experience. For needed to attend a university Wisconsin Achievers is Sonia Barager, it Without fi nancial published monthly by the was this service- assistance, many Wisconsin Association of oriented educational adult students, Independent Colleges and experience that like Barager, aren’t Universities (WAICU), 122 W. persuaded her able to make the Washington Avenue, Madison, to attend Marian investment in a WI 53703-2723; 608-256-7761; University. college education. [email protected]. “It is because of the “I wanted to return Wisconsin Grant Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. to school to earn a that I’m able to President & CEO degree that would attend the university Rebecca Larson allow me to give that is the right fi t Senior VP/Advocacy Non-traditionalNon traditional Marian University student Carole Trone, Ph.D. back to others,” for developing my Senior VP/Educational Services, said Barager, of Sonia Barager is focused on her skills and abilities Editor Fond du Lac. “I service-oriented educational experience. to the fullest," Kathy Dutter always wanted to said Barager, who Coordinator/Ed Services work with kids in a service that would offer quality is looking forward to a Assistant Editor profession, and a Marian student support and fi nancial continued on page 2 Wisconsin Achievers Page 2 • July 2015 Nick Hefty continued from page 1 “it’s really easy to immerse yourself in what’s started to get pretty specifi c,” he says. “When we happening on campus. At a place like Edgewood got fi nished, I was encouraged to apply.” FACT College, you can fi nd yourself on a task force or OF THE committee with faculty, staff, and other students. He started his career with Epic as project I’m not sure there’s a ‘seat at the table’ for manager in June. “Epic was very interested in MONTH students at larger schools in the same way.” my leadership opportunities and other activities on campus,” he says. “Those were the questions The critical thinking, the problem solving and they were most interested in.” the ‘people’ skills made Nick especially attractive to a major Dane County employer. This spring “When I think about my college experience, I At WAICU colleges during Career Week on campus, he took do think about the classroom. But I also think and universities, advantage of the opportunity to participate in about what I was able to accomplish through 30 percent of ‘mock interviews,’ sessions of practice interviews leadership, through volunteering, and through undergraduates with HR professionals from employers in Greater advocacy for my fellow students. Those skills are fi rst-generation students. Madison. His ‘mock interview’ happened to be are every bit as important as what we did in the with Epic Systems, a medical software company classroom. When I think about the activities I Source: IPEDS: based in Verona. did, those are the things that really benefi tted me Fall Enrollment in a big way. They really shaped who I’ve become Survey, 2014 “I could tell things had changed (during the now. And those were big benefi ts when it came ‘mock’ interview) when the follow-up questions time to start applying for things.” Sonia Barager continued from page 1 2016 graduation. “There aren’t as many “I supposed that, being a non-traditional community. Barager currently serves as fi nancial aid opportunities for non- student made me believe that earning a volunteer with Relay for Life, the St. traditional students, and so the Wisconsin a degree would be diffi cult, but Marian Balderick’s Foundation, the Fond du Lac Grant made attending a private university offers a variety of resources including Food Pantry, and as a youth teacher with possible for me.” tutoring, academic advising, and the Lighthouse Christian Church. academic support programs. I’ve even “Marian was the perfect choice,” Barager been accepted as a student in the TRiO “I look forward to walking across the added. “When I toured Marian, I was Student Support Services program,” said stage at graduation next year,” said instantly welcomed into the community, Barager. “Marian University truly supports Barager. “Achieving my college degree and the campus just felt comfortable. I each and every student, and you never isn’t just for me, but for my son too. My knew I could succeed here.” feel like just a number in the classroom. son is excited about learning and often You are a person, and you are inspired to tells me how he wants to go to college For Barager, Marian’s personal, hands- do great things here.” when he is older, mostly because he can on approach to learning and variety of see how earning a college degree can student support resources were a key It is because of this support that Barager make a difference in our lives and give component to her decision to attend a is able to embrace her passion for service back to the community as well.” private university. and spend her time volunteering in the Wisconsin’s Private Nonprofit Colleges and Universities Alverno College Milwaukee Edgewood College Madison Mount Mary University Milwaukee Bellin College Green Bay Lakeland College Sheboygan Nashotah House Nashotah Beloit College Beloit Lawrence University Appleton Northland College Ashland Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee Marian University Fond du Lac Ripon College Ripon Carroll University Waukesha Marquette University Milwaukee St. Norbert College De Pere Carthage College Kenosha Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee Silver Lake College Manitowoc Columbia College of Nursing Milwaukee Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee Viterbo University La Crosse Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee.