Spring graduate Alexie Pryd transferred to UW-Superior and found success

It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. It’s an adage applicable to multiple facets of life. For University of Wisconsin-Superior graduating senior Alexie Pryd, it perfectly sums up her undergraduate life.

Pryd, a native of Maple Grove, Minnesota, will be one of the hundreds of UW-Superior students crossing the stage at Siinto S. Wessman Arena May 20, but back in 2019, it didn’t start that way. Pryd began her college years at Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina, and was a member of its volleyball team. After one year, however, the time came for her to be closer to home.

“I made the tough decision to transfer schools during my freshman year. I knew with the hard-hitting wave of COVID that I wanted to find a college closer to home and near my family,” she said. “Growing up I would often visit the Twin Ports every year to go on a train ride and adventure around the area with my dad. Looking back on those fun memories, I realized that I would probably enjoy going to school near the area.

“I did a lot of research into numerous schools knowing that I wanted two things – to be able to continue my volleyball career and the ability to major in writing. After looking deeply into the volleyball and writing programs, I knew that I would be able to create a proper path for my future at UW-Superior.”

Once on campus, multiple doors began to open for Pryd.

“I would say I was most surprised by the number of opportunities available to students. Immediately upon being welcomed on campus, I was given an abundance of opportunities to try out and be a part of,” she said. “These opportunities have led me to help some with athletics, work at the school’s Writing Center and become editor, president and website creator for the school’s literary magazine, ‘The Nemadji Review.’ I was also introduced to amazing faculty and staff that welcomed me as a transfer student and helped me to find myself throughout my journey here at UW-Superior.”

When her name is read during the 2023 UW-Superior commencement ceremony, Pryd’s time on campus will end, but her education will continue. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in writing, Pryd will transition to graduate school at Oxford Brookes University in England to work on her master’s degree in publishing media, something she feels prepared for due to her time at UW-Superior.

“The writing major curriculum here has prepared me extremely well for my future. It led me to discover myself as a writer and editor in all different types of genres and even led me to my job at the Writing Center as a writing consultant helping other students,” she said. “Being able to learn such important skills will greatly benefit me throughout my future, and I enjoyed myself immensely along the way.

“UW-Superior has also prepared me well for leadership. I have been given so many leadership opportunities while being here and I believe that this skill will greatly benefit me in my future endeavors. Lastly, UW-Superior has prepared me for the rest of my life by allowing me to make so many wonderful connections with all sorts of friends, faculty and staff. I will remember all the amazing lessons I’ve been taught by everyone for the rest of my life.”