Student stories | Continuing Studies

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

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Learner stories

Whether you’re returning to school or just getting started, there are a variety of lifelong learning paths you can take to meet your goals through continuing studies.

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

For Manny Avila, going back to school was about more than a degree — it was a promise kept.  Motivated by his family, he returned to college with UW–Madison Online…

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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

Ever since moving from Chongqing, China, to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison for his bachelor’s degree, Jinghao Zhou has been impressed by the university and its home city.  “I quickly…

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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

Photo credit: Althea Dotzour, University of Wisconsin–MadisonFrom left to right, tour leaders Kane Funmaker, undergraduate student and Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member, and Abbey Woldt, undergraduate student and Ho-Chunk Nation tribal…

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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

Kristy Jorgensen When we say our graduates achieve their goals, we mean it.  Case in point: Kristy Jorgensen. A first-generation college grad, working mom and member of the Wisconsin National…

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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

Summer offers a powerful opportunity for discovery. Whether you’re exploring countries far from home, taking a course in an unfamiliar subject, or completing an internship, the summer months offer a…

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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…

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Rachel Kane posing for a graduation picture Congrats to our most recent grads!

Earning a college degree is always worth celebrating. But for adults balancing jobs, families and other responsibilities, returning to school is more than an achievement — it’s a triumph. We’re…

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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…

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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

Wondering what it’s like to earn your engineering master’s degree online while working full-time?  For many students, it means continuing their day-to-day routines—going to work, caring for family, and fitting…

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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…

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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…

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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.  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sat2PVYXrGuBxv7uKKRuU Transcript ALISSA…

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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

Data skills can open unexpected doors. Rahil Virani, MSx’25, knows this firsthand. Before coming to Madison, Virani was a software developer tackling coding projects while living in Mumbai, India, a…

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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…

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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

For Jeannette Eichholz, language learning is more than just a hobby. It’s a lifelong passion that has shaped her career, emboldened her travels and deepened her connections around the world.…

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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…

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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.  With an accelerated master’s degree in engineering from UW–Madison,…

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Fatima Abdul Rasheed smiling for a picture while at her desk. Unique internships and special projects elevate grad student experiences

Through University of Wisconsin–Madison Professional Degrees & Certificates programs, Fatima Abdul Rasheed discovered a new career, and Natasha Sanchez hopes to advance in hers. Due to strong industry partnerships, the…

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