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Twelve University of Wisconsin-Superior students have received $5,000 scholarships from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
The mix of students enrolled in the school counseling track of UW-Superior’s graduate counseling program includes those newly enrolled and some close to finishing the program.
The 12 recipients were selected from among 66 students who submitted essays that addressed two questions:
- How you decided upon school counseling as your area of study and how the field fits with your current professional goals.
- Please describe how you advocate for a more just and inclusive school community in your work.
The scholarship uses Federal School Based Mental Health (FSBMH) funds that were awarded to UW-Superior’s school counseling program by the Wisconsin DPI for the purpose of increasing the recruitment, retention and training of marginalized students in the program.
The Master of Science in Education – Counseling program at UW-Superior, which is available both on campus and in an online format since 2021, is designed for students who want to become professionals in counseling and related fields. It is currently the fastest-growing graduate program at UW-Superior.
“Earning this scholarship for school counseling is not only a tremendous honor, but also a validation of my dedication and passion for the field. It signifies recognition of my academic achievements and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of students. With this scholarship, I am inspired to continue my path toward becoming a knowledgeable and compassionate school counselor at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. I am dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all students.” – Allison Anderson
“My school counselor was one of the most instrumental people in my schooling, always making sure I had a place to belong. I am so honored to have received this award to become a school counselor and let every student know that they belong.”
– Lydia Jagodzinski
“This scholarship will go toward my tuition at UW-Superior and will help me purchase essentials for my new school counseling role that will begin in the fall. This award will also help offset my costs of the internship semester and the PRAXIS exam. This award means more than you know.” – Ciera Gerl
“I’m humbled and honored to be a recipient of the FSBMH scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me as I pursue my goals and dreams of becoming a school counselor. It will help me financially to be able to achieve those goals.” – Brian Boyd
“I am so grateful to have been chosen to receive this scholarship. With this support I can continue my education, improve my skills, and have a bigger impact on the students I work with. I am committed to using this opportunity to become the best school counselor I can be.” – Shalynn Stamper
“Receiving this scholarship is a true honor. To me, it means that others in the counseling profession see the value in the work that I am passionate about and strive for. It gives me the motivation to keep moving forward in my education, and it makes me very excited for my career to come as a school counselor.”
– Skylar Gunderson
“This scholarship is a life-changing opportunity that allows me to pursue my passion for helping students navigate their academic and personal challenges. It provides me with the financial support necessary to focus on developing the skills and knowledge essential for effective counseling. Moreover, it validates my commitment to fostering a positive educational environment and empowers me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students.” – Brittany Casanova
“It is an honor to be awarded the UW-Superior counseling and Wisconsin Department of Instruction scholarship. I am a first-generation college student and just completed my second year in the counselor education master’s program at UWS. I was recently hired as a tier 2 school counselor in my local school district. This scholarship gets me one step closer to attaining full school counseling licensure, a dream come true.” – Sara Zrust
“This scholarship will provide me the financial opportunity to continue working toward becoming a school counselor. With this opportunity, I will continue striving to create and sustain an inclusive student environment. Lastly, this scholarship will allow me to continue to advocate for students’ best interests.”
– Marcus Martinez
“I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship! It is an honor for me and a testament to the education that I am receiving at UW-Superior. I am so engaged in my coursework because of your excellent programming and teaching staff. I am passionate about advocacy, equity, and access to resources for students and their families to support academic and social and emotional well-being. Every single day I am learning new methods and skills through the UW-Superior School counseling program to help the students that I currently work with as a classroom teacher. This scholarship will allow me to focus on my graduate studies. It means so much to me and my family.”
– Cate Russell
“Receiving this scholarship is a sign to me that I am on the right path, and this is where I should be. Additionally, it provides me with a valuable boost in my journey and I am grateful for this opportunity.” – Bridget Kimpel
“I am honored to receive this scholarship. It will significantly support me in completing my internship hours and covering my course expenses. Additionally, this scholarship will allow me to dedicate more time to my studies by reducing the need to work at my second job.” – Lexi Opelt