Jenna Stengert

There are lots of reasons for choosing a university. Maybe not near the top in sheer numbers—but certainly an excellent reason—is family. Jenna Stengert chose UW-Parkside because her mother was recovering from surgery. Jenna wanted to stay close to home.

Choosing and staying, however, are two different things. "I stayed at UW-Parkside because I fell in love with it," Jenna says.

She stayed, and got involved. Jenna is an accounting tutor at the tutoring center, participates in volunteer income-tax assistance (VITA), is developing an accounting club with Professor Zhemin (Jamie) Wang, and has an internship in the Treasury Department at Jockey International. But wait...there's more: She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Beta Gamma Sigma honors societies.

"My accounting professors in the Business Department are amazing," Jenna says. "I have never left a class feeling like I did not learn something, and their doors are always open. If you take advice from your professors and keep an open mind, your opportunities are endless."

Jenna has some advice for future UW-Parkside students—especially those who live close to the campus.

"I feel like many high school students in the area don't take Parkside as seriously as other options—I know I didn't at first," Jenna says. "Our business school is accredited by AASCB-International— just like Madison or Whitewater. And the professors, with smaller classes, have more time for each individual student.

"Parkside has taken me to China, and has landed me an internship with an amazing company. I feel very blessed to be receiving my undergraduate education here."