School of Graduate Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

12/11/2025

Congratulations, Kara! Wishing you all the best in your new career and educational journey.
Learn more about Kara's master's program here: https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/instructional-design

Congratulations to Kara Stanley from Prague, Oklahoma, who earned an M.S. in instructional design and learning technology and was hired as an instructional designer with San Jose State University in San Jose, California, and was accepted to the Ed.D. program at Arkansas State University pursuing a Doctor of Education in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Kara says, "I'm most proud of obtaining a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies credential from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, presenting at the Oklahoma Learning Innovations Summit regarding my trauma-informed instructional designed projects, and being accepted into Arkansas State's Ed.D. program for Educational Leadership — Higher Education Administration. I would like to acknowledge Nicole Weber for being an excellent advisor and mentor as I moved through the program and encouraging my work in trauma-informed instructional design and Ted Witt for being an outstanding professor and encouraging my work in trauma-informed instructional design."

12/10/2025

Congratulations on your graduation AND your promotion, Elvia!

Learn more about Elvia's master's program here: https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/business-administration

Congratulations to Elvia Meza Klosinski from Whitewater, Wisconsin, who earned an MBA in business administration with an emphasis in project management and was promoted to operations project manager with Generac Power Systems in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Elvia says, "One of my proudest accomplishments was returning to academia after decades in the workforce — a decision that reaffirmed that learning has no age limit and growth is always possible. Balancing the demands of a rigorous MBA program with professional and personal responsibilities was challenging, but it strengthened my resilience, time management, and perseverance. Earning this degree marks a significant milestone, deepening my expertise in project management and reflecting both ambition and a commitment to lifelong learning. Above all, this achievement is a tribute to my family's firm support. Their belief in me gave me the strength to succeed. This accomplishment is not mine alone, it is ours. I'd like to acknowledge all professors in project management."

12/09/2025

Congratulations, Hana and wishing you all the best in your next chapter.

Learn more about Hana's graduate program: https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/special-education

Congratulations to Hana Jang, a first-generation college student from West Allis, Wisconsin, who earned an MSE in special education and was hired as a special education teacher with Bethesda Elementary School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Hana says, "My three proudest achievements are managing my time well to complete my assignments and write my students' IEPs before a due date, applying knowledge I learned from classes and scholarly articles into the real world for my students, and improving my teaching methods for my special needs students. I would like to thank Shannon Stuart, who always helped me revise my action research paper and shared useful resources and information with me via email."

12/08/2025

Congratulations, Amy! Wishing you the best in your new role!

More about Amy's master's program: https://www.uww.edu/coeps/academics/professional-studies

Congratulations to Amy Gutknecht, a first-generation college student from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who earned an MSE in professional studies with an emphasis in information, technology and libraries and was hired as a district library media specialist with Waterford Graded School District in Waterford, Wisconsin. Amy says, "My three proudest achievements during my time as a student at UW-Whitewater are going back to receive my master's, continuing my learning, and applying my knowledge to help instill the love of reading in others. I'd like to acknowledge Katie McBride Moench for her continuous support and encouragement during my time in the library media program."

11/25/2025

Attention December masters and DBA grads! Have you landed a new job or been promoted in your current role? Been admitted to an advanced collegiate program, or started a company before commencement? Tell us about it! Participate in our Hired Before Graduation campaign and you’ll be featured on the university's social media channels and highlighted in a slide show on site at commencement. You don’t have to be on campus to participate (online students, we’re looking at you!). More info here: https://www.uww.edu/hired

11/19/2025

Two time University of Wisconsin-Whitewater grad Dr. Tremayne Clardy has been named Wisconsin's Superintendent of the Year for 2026. A first generation college student, Clardy is credited with always putting students and staff first. Congratulations!
UW-W College of Education & Professional Studies
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Alumni Association

The Verona Area School District is proud to share that the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators has named our very own Dr. Tremayne Clardy as the 2026 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year! 🥳

11/18/2025

Happy birthday to trombonist and leader of UW-Whitewater Arts and Comm Dean Mike Dugan!

Once a trombonist, always a trombonist… even when you’re leading an entire College of Arts & Communication.

Dean Mike Dugan may have traded his gig bag for a briefcase, but make no mistake—he still knows how to make some noise.

From the low brass section to the Dean’s office, Mike’s journey has always been about amplifying creativity. Over the last few years, he’s found new ways to empower artists, musicians, writers, performers, filmmakers, and future changemakers across CoAC. Whether it’s championing new programs, securing funding for student projects, or casually showing up in a tux and outplaying the entire brass section (don’t test him), Dean Dugan continues to hit the right notes.

And yes—he still has perfect slide position.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

11/14/2025

Attention December masters and DBA grads! Have you landed a new job or been promoted in your current role? Been admitted to an advanced collegiate program, or started a company before commencement? Tell us about it! Participate in our Hired Before Graduation campaign and you’ll be featured on the university's social media channels and highlighted in a slide show on site at commencement. You don’t have to be on campus to participate (online students, we’re looking at you!). More info here: https://www.uww.edu/hired

UW-Whitewater Communication Department
UWW Social Work Department
UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics
UW-Whitewater Communication Sciences and Disorders
UW-Whitewater Counselor Education
UW-W College of Education & Professional Studies

December 2025 graduates — celebrate with us on social! If you are graduating and have landed a job or been promoted in your current role, earned admission to graduate school, or started a company before commencement, join us to have your photo taken professionally and shared to our Hired Before Graduation campaign. In addition to social media, this campaign is also shown during the commencement ceremony, so your participation will also be on the big screen for your family and friends to see!

No appointment is needed to have your photo taken.

Dates and location:
Monday, Dec. 1, 2:30-6:30 p.m. (UC 275 B)
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (UC 264)

Feel free to have some fun with this — were you hired at Disney? Wear your Mickey Mouse ears! Are you an art teacher? Bring your smock!

Visit https://www.uww.edu/hired for more information.

11/07/2025

Dr. Courtney Powers was a first generation college student. Now she's an assistant professor in the UW-Whitewater Communication Department and the recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 2025 Graduate Teaching Award. Read more about how she engages and inspires her students.
https://www.uww.edu/graduate-studies/news/2025aprteachingaward

Today we with Courtney Powers, an assistant professor of communication.

“Along the way, I was fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me and helped me find my path in college. Now, I strive to be that same source of support for my own students. I view them as co-contributors to our learning environment and love helping them discover their potential.”

(UW-Whitewater/Craig Schreiner)

10/23/2025

Not if she came back, but WHEN. Recent master’s graduate credits encouraging, supportive faculty and staff for helping her overcome a huge hurdle to complete her degree. Read more about Korissa Diehl's journey to success. https://www.uww.edu/graduate-studies/news/2025octoberwaveofsupport

10/03/2025

Current or soon-to be educators, counselors, psychologists, social workers — and all who passionate about school mental health — this free event is for you!

Join us on Friday, Oct. 10 from 4-5 p.m. in Timmerman Auditorium at Hyland Hall for the inaugural Larson Family Lecture — Supporting Children with Early Signs of Internalizing Behavior Concerns: The Resilience Education Program.

We're honored to welcome Dr. Katie Eklund of UW-Madison. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an amazing leader in the field and strengthen support for children's resilience and well-being.

Educators, counselors, psychologists, social workers — and all who passionate about school mental health — this free event is for you!

Join us on Friday, Oct. 10 from 4-5 p.m. in Timmerman Auditorium at Hyland Hall for the inaugural Larson Family Lecture — Supporting Children with Early Signs of Internalizing Behavior Concerns: The Resilience Education Program.

We're honored to welcome Dr. Katie Eklund of UW-Madison. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an amazing leader in the field and strengthen support for children's resilience and well-being.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3r2edh8h

08/27/2025

Jeannine landed her dream job as an assistant professor after completing our doctor of business administration program. Read more about her journey below. Congrats, Jeannine!

For Jennine Fox, UW-Whitewater’s Doctorate of Business Administration program has been more than an academic challenge, it’s been a journey of resilience, transformation, and purpose. From navigating imposter syndrome to landing her dream role as an Assistant Professor of Marketing, Jennine’s story is proof that showing up, again and again, can change everything.

Read about her path through the DBA program, the support of her cohort, and the advice she has for future doctoral students: https://ow.ly/lVZL50WFxLS