Student stories – Division of Continuing Studies

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

Student stories

Two students present a lecture to a classroom at UW–Madison’s Badger Precollege.

Alina’s precollege experience: Academic growth and expanded friendships

Explore Alina’s journey at UW–Madison’s Badger Precollege, where forensic science, independence and friendships have helped prepare her for future success.

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Illustration of a group of people

This summer, turn classroom knowledge into real-world impact

Make your UW–Madison Summer Term count with hands‑on learning, internships, research and global experiences rooted in the Wisconsin Idea.

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A speaker stands at a podium addressing a large audience seated at round tables in Memorial Union’s Great Hall.

Meet the 2026 Outstanding Returning Adult Student Award winners

Discover the inspiring journeys of UW–Madison’s 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award winners, Leslie Wright and Michael Rozier.

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JessicaRae and Sarah Covert

Two learners support others through behavioral health education

Supporting others with empathy and evidence‑based skills, two behavioral health professionals grow through UW–Madison’s Continuing Education courses.

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Nathan Wagner writing on a chalkboard

How Badger Precollege helped launch a future physicist

Badger Precollege launched UW–Madison senior Nathan Wagner’s journey from early STEM curiosity to physics research, college success and the Astronaut Scholarship.

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Howard Martin with family and friends

Badger Ready helps Alex Smith continue grandfather’s lifelong learning legacy

Badger Ready helped Alex Smith finish his UW-Madison degree, continuing the lifelong learning vision of his grandfather, Howard Martin.

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Marge Engelman sitting at her kitchen table, flipping through her scrapbook

Marge Engelman at 98: Looking back on a lifetime of learning, serving and breaking barriers

Marge Engelman (98): Lifelong learner, barrier-breaking administrator, & fiber artist defied expectations to champion nontraditional students.

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Online graduate Manny Avila posing for a picture beside a shelf holding trophies and framed certificates

Graduate Q&A: From first-gen college student to global career

First-gen student Manny Avila's inspiring journey from UW–Madison Online graduate to senior treasury analyst at Zendesk. Learn how his BBA launched a global career and boosted his confidence.

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A woman in a lab coat writing on a glass board

Information master’s student leads pioneering research at School of Nursing

Graduate student Jinghao Zhou leads innovative research at the UW–Madison School of Nursing, applying information skills to improve public health.

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Tour leaders Kane Funmaker, undergraduate student and Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member, and Abbey Woldt, undergraduate student and Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member, speak to participants during a First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour

Student-led landscape tours bring awareness to First Nations’ history and culture on campus

The influence of the First Nations is all around us on UW–Madison’s campus. You can learn about these and other landmarks on the First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour, an educational exploration of the history and culture of First Nations at UW–Madison, led by trained students, faculty and staff. 

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Professional headshot of Kristy Jorgensen in front of Wisconsin State Capitol building.

Graduate shares how online bachelor’s boosted her career – and her confidence

Boost your career! UW–Madison online grad Kristy shares how her bachelor's degree increased her confidence & opened new job opportunities.

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Maureen Kamal stands next to a wall-mounted sign that reads Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Mariam Siddiqui presented her poster during the Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias Research Day.

Summer research offers insights into brain health and medical careers

Two UW–Madison undergrads share their summer research stories, showcasing hands-on learning and innovative projects, and how they’re making an impact.

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Isadora Collins standing in front of her poster board

Summer student balances class, career, community and continent-hopping

Isadora Collins is seizing every opportunity Summer Term has to offer. Between a full-time internship, an online course, international travel and volunteer work, she’s packing her summer with experiences that blend learning, career growth and fun.

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Rachel Kane posing for a graduation picture

Congrats to our most recent grads!

We’re proud to celebrate 36 graduates of UW–Madison Online who pushed through challenges, stayed the course and earned their bachelor’s degrees this spring and summer.

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A group photo of graduate student Dora Aranda and her guests, as well as Bucky Badger

Q&A with award-winning returning adult students

From a childhood gift igniting a lifelong passion for science to witnessing the heroism of healthcare workers during a global pandemic, the journeys of Dora Aranda, Jennifer Halvorson, and Norman Canestorp are as diverse as they are inspiring.

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A man is sitting at his desk, reviewing building plans on his computer

Going back to school as a working engineer: How to make it work

Read on to find out how current and former students have managed to balance work and family while earning their engineering master’s degree.

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Student Morgan Ramsey posing in front of the colosseum

Sustainability study in Italy makes big impact on rising senior

A little can go a long way when it comes to studying abroad. While some students opt to study overseas for a whole semester or year, you can pack a lot of learning into even a week or two of study in another country.

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Students athletes Quinn Kuntz and Carter Gilmore posing for a picture

4 reasons student athletes say Summer Term is a slam dunk

Whether it’s basketball, football, hockey, or volleyball, there’s one thing that Wisconsin Athletes can all agree on: Summer Term gives them the flexibility to complete their courses when it works best for them.

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Podcast graphic for episode 34

Episode 35: Library & Information Studies MA Alum Student Spotlight

Library & Information Studies alum, Lauren, shares how career services at UW–Madison helped her navigate a career pivot and land a fulfilling role as an instructional designer. 

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Rahil Virani standing next to a UW-Madison plaque

MS Information student Rahil Virani contributes to UW–Madison Alzheimer’s research

The Master of Science in Information program equips students with the technical skills necessary to comprehend today’s information and data systems, as well as the critical thinking, design and communication skills to govern and critique them. Rahil Virani tells his story.

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Aerial shot of a student sitting on the grass, working on his laptop

International precollege programs build skills, confidence and connections

For high schoolers across the globe, studying in the U.S. may seem like a faraway dream. Thanks to the Wisconsin International Precollege Academy (WIPA), WIPA Online and other programs for international students through UW–Madison’s Badger Precollege, that dream feels closer than ever.

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Jeannette Eichholz stands in a tank top and sunglasses on her front porch on a sunny day

A lifelong love affair with language

Language learning is more than just a hobby. It’s a lifelong passion for our students.

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Ivanna Ceballos standing beside a UW-Madison flag

45th annual winners of returning adult student awards epitomize Badger spirit

This year’s Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award winners, Chikara Crooks and Ivanna Ceballos, share a powerful common thread: each is working to become the kind of support and inspiration they once needed themselves.

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Aerial view of the Engineering buildings

Students, alum share benefits of engineering accelerated master’s programs 

University of Wisconsin–Madison engineering students looking to advance their careers quickly are turning to the College of Engineering's accelerated master's degrees. 

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