Spring 2025 GNS+ Graduates

Majors: International Studies and Scandinavian Studies

Certificates: Development Economics and European Studies

Hometown: Reedsburg, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: ScandSt 320: The Nordic Child with Ida Moen Johnson

Favorite course from another department: Poli Sci 343: Theories of International Security

Favorite memory from UW: Studying abroad in Norway my sophomore year and summers in Madison.

Something you learned about yourself in college: I’ve learned a lot about the kind of person I aspire to be. I’ve learned that being authentically myself and not being afraid to start conversations will always result in a more confident, happy and fulfilled me.

Future plans and dreams: I will be departing for Peace Corps North Macedonia this September as a community development volunteer. After my service I am not sure what I will do, but I know it will be an adventure. My dreams are to keep growing as a person and advocate and to see what I can learn from unique people.

Any advice for incoming students? Don’t try to be the most interesting person, be the most interested. Explore different subjects, even if they intimidate you and always be open to making new friends!

Major: B.S. Electrical Engineering

Certificate: German

Hometown: Nayagarh/Bengaluru/Zurich/Franklin, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Literally all of them

Favorite course from another department: Intro to African American History, if I have to choose an Engineering course, ECE355 Electromech Energy, ECE 427 Power Systems, ECE 455 Senior Design

Favorite memory from UW: Going to shows with my friends and learning concert photography

Something you learned about yourself in college: There is more to the world than apple pie

Future plans and dreams: Going to work on the Wisconsin power grid.

Any advice for incoming students? Be true to yourself, you can walk away from those who do not value you for who you are.

Majors: BSW, Social Work and English

Certificate: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Languages and Cultures of Northern Europe

Hometown: Black Earth, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Scandinavian Studies 121: First Semester Danish

Favorite course from another department: Social Work 462: Child Welfare

Favorite memory from UW: Building relationships through various organizations and departments, like Optima Dance and Scan Design.

Something you learned about yourself in college: How I can fit all my interests into a career!

Future plans and dreams: Attending the MSW program at UW-Madison to become a school social worker.

Any advice for incoming students? Reach out to the faculty! They are all here to support you, and it will help you build community and connect you to opportunities!

Majors: Bachelor of Science – Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies

Certificates: Folklore and Entrepreneurship

Hometown: Racine WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Supernatural in the Modern World & Badgerlore Campus Traditions

Favorite course from another department: Ceramics I

Favorite memory from UW: Traveling to San Francisco for DECA competition

Future plans and dreams: I’m planning on working a full time job in WI. My dreams are to some day live and work in Europe.

Any advice for incoming students? Attend class regularly

Majors: Geography, Cartography/GIS, and Environmental Studies

Certificate: German and Integrative Design of Built and Natural Environments

Hometown: Cross Plains, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Topics in German Culture: Sport und Gesellschaft

Future plans and dreams: I will be starting a full-time job as a GIS Analyst!

Major: Journalism

Certificates: German and Gender Women’s Studies

Hometown: Stoughton, Wisocnsin

Favorite GNS+ class: Obviously the film course with Prof Schueller!

Favorite course from another department: J464 with Prof Deb Pierce

Favorite memory from UW: Walking to class in the fall and early spring, it’s so enjoyable and campus is the prettiest around those times! I always try to find a spot outside to read a book after classes (best spot is the garden by Chamberlin Hall or the walkway behind Sterling).

Something you learned about yourself in college: It’s a treat to do things by yourself. I always love walking around and discovering new restaurants and shops and then sharing those with my friends.

Future plans and dreams: My immediate plan after graduation is to teach English in Austria.

Any advice for incoming students? The best advice I received in college: the words “I don’t know” is an opportunity. Use those moments to dive in and learn something new — be curious, stay curious!

Majors: Neurobiology, Psychology, and Polish

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Favorite GNS+ class: SLAVIC 331: Fourth Year Polish I (with Pani Ewa Miernowska)

Favorite course from another department: GENETICS 520: Neurogenetics

Favorite memory from UW: Watching the aurora with my friends on the dock by Mendota Lake

Something you learned about yourself in college: I can do ANYTHING (as long as I put my mind to it). The Polish language is the hardest thing I have ever had to learn. But because of my strong passion for the Polish language and the warm support from Pani Ewa Miernowska, I reached the level of proficiency that I never thought I was capable of. This experience taught me that the hardest challenges often lead to the most rewarding growth. This mindset has now carried over into all areas of my life.

Future plans and dreams: I’m aiming to get into biomedical research. My dream is to eventually have my own lab — maybe I’ll become a professor who does research, or maybe I’ll even start my own biotech company. We’ll see!

Any advice for incoming students? Try everything you can! Say “yes” to all the opportunities. Have fun and don’t take everything too seriously.

Major: Biology

Certificates: German, Biocore Honors Curriculum

Hometown: Brookfield, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: German 351: Introduction to German Linguistics

Favorite course from another department: Anatomy 338: Human Anatomy Laboratory

Favorite memory from UW: Sitting by the lake to watch the sunsets and going to the UW football and hockey games!

Something you learned about yourself in college: I learned that it is ok to make mistakes and to ask for help. A big part of learning is realizing it is ok to make mistakes along the way and asking for help is always a good idea.

Future plans and dreams: I am currently applying to Physician Assistant school and will be taking a gap year in hopes of starting school again next May

Any advice for incoming students? Savor every moment! There is plenty of time to take interesting classes outside of your major and to pursue other interests and hobbies. Make sure to study hard but also balance spending time with your friends.

Majors: Biology and Scandinavian Studies

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Favorite GNS+ class: The Second World War in Nordic Culture

Favorite course from another department: ZOOLOGY521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin

Favorite memory from UW: Studying abroad over spring break in Costa Rica

Future plans and dreams: Go onto grad school and study regenerative stem cell medicine

Any advice for incoming students? Make friends in class, don’t take things too seriously, enjoy being in college as best you can.

Majors: JBA- Strategic Communications and Multimedia Journalism

Certificates: Environmental Studies and Folklore

Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Favorite GNS+ class: Folklore 439: Foodways with Lowell Brower

Favorite course from another department: Journalism 202

Favorite memory from UW: My freshman year I lived in Waters, and during the first week of school a bunch of girls on my floor got together in the shared bathroom and gave eachother haircuts. It was such a bonding experience and a great way to make friends in a new place.

Something you learned about yourself in college: I can do hard things!

Future plans and dreams: I will continue my PR internship at Generac after graduation. In the future I plan to keep exploring my passion for storytelling, and to utilize the large network I have built during my time at UW-Madison.

Any advice for incoming students? Soak in every moment and be grateful for every opportunity, even when it seems stressful. Remember that diamonds are made from immense pressure!

Majors: Biochemistry and German

Hometown: Wausau, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: German 372: Topics in German Culture (Film)

Favorite course from another department: Kines 127: Intro to Athletic Healthcare

Favorite memory from UW: As a former women’s hockey player my favorite memory from UW was attending the University while the women’s hockey team won TWO National Championships!

Something you learned about yourself in college: I am more resilient than I thought!

Future plans and dreams: Pursue medical school after two gap years.

Any advice for incoming students? In college, you’ll meet people who seem smarter, more social, more confident, more organized, more everything. But here’s the truth: everyone is figuring it out as they go, and most people are only showing their highlight reel.

Majors: Computer science, Russian, Eastern European studies

Hometown: Mequon, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Slavic 555

Favorite course from another department: Anthro 105

Favorite memory from UW: Riding around in the Red moving carts at 1am

Something you learned about yourself in college: I need more sleep than I thought

Future plans and dreams: Software dev at spectrum!!!

Any advice for incoming students? Utilize ALL the study and tutoring resources you can find.

Majors: Information Science and Environmental Studies

Certificates: German, Computer Science and Game Design

Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin

Favorite GNS+ class: German 372: Theater Auf Deutsch

Favorite course from another department: Environmental Studies 581: Prescribed Fire Implementation

Something you learned about yourself in college: I have a passion for the environment and I have a yearning for the outdoors.

Future plans and dreams: I want to work in protecting our environment and local ecosystems so people in the future will still be able to experience the natural beauty and diversity of different regions.

Any advice for incoming students? Your plans for college could change. Explore early whether or not the path you’re on is what you are most interested in and most passionate for, and explore your other interests as well. If you realize later that your intended major isn’t what you want to do, it is okay to change your plans

Majors: German B.S. and Genetics & Genomics B.S.

Hometown: Mequon, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: German 676

Favorite course from another department: Immunogenetics 588

Favorite memory from UW: My favorite memory from UW was going on a Pony field trip for a course in Genetics.

Future plans and dreams: I am going to work for Exact Sciences as a scientist for Prevention Genetics in Colorectal Cancer.

Majors: Botany, Scandinavian Studies

Certificate: Environmental Studies

Hometown: West Bend, WI

Favorite GNS+ class: Readings in Norwegian Literature (SCAND ST 251)

Favorite course from another department: Vegetation of Wisconsin (BOTANY 455)

Favorite memory from UW: I will always cherish the amazing memories I made while studying abroad in Norway, and I can’t forget tailgating on football Saturdays either!

Something you learned about yourself in college: I’m definitely still an introvert, but I am more outgoing than I thought I was. My younger self would be quite surprised to hear that I really enjoy meeting new people!

Future plans and dreams: I will be working as a biological science technician at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, where I’m involved in red clover and alfalfa breeding projects. I intend to eventually pursue a PhD in plant breeding and plant genetics, with the goal of becoming a breeder for a seed company or agricultural research entity.

Any advice for incoming students? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there- the more you do it, the easier it gets. You will surrounded by peers, grad students, faculty, etc. who share similar interests and goals, so make those connections while you have the opportunity.

Majors: Global Health and German

Hometown: Beaver Dam

Favorite GNS+ class: GERMAN 258

Favorite memory from UW: Attending open mic nights at Memorial Terrace or studying abroad in Berlin, Germany!

Future plans and dreams: I am currently applying to Physician Assistant School! I am doing a gap year in Madison, working as an MRI Tech Assistant at UW Health!

Any advice for incoming students? Prioritizing yourself and your needs will make you more successful than you think!