This is an archived UW-P news item,
originally posted: 11/6/2007.
Balance: Achievement and Affordability
What does Monica Schmidt's passion for blacktip reef sharks have to do with the waterways of Wisconsin? Absolutely nothing. That's why this scholar is taking the long view on her quest to become a marine biologist.
Since the age of nine, "I've been fascinated with marine life and aquatic animals," Monica said. Knowing UW-Parkside could provide the solid undergraduate preparation she'd need for entrance into professional studies, Monica said, "It would be foolish to spend unnecessary money to go somewhere else and remove myself from the great support system I have--my family and friends."
"Coming from a working class family, finances for a college education have always been a concern," Monica said. "The trick is finding a balance between managing my college expenses and making sure that my studies don't suffer in the process." As the recipient of the UW-Parkside Bernard C. Tallent Memorial Endowed Scholarship, the pursuit of her career aspiration has just become a little easier. That is not to say that the door to financial freedom has magically opened. For the last year and a half Monica has worked 12-15 hours a week in the campus' duplicating department and recently assumed responsibility as lead student worker during a personnel transition in the department. "Monica is focused and understands the job just about as well as anybody," John Mielke, director of marketing said.
Apparently Monica has always had the ability to focus. According to Dr. Bryan Lewis, UW-Parkside's Pre-Health advisor, "Monica is the type of student who will succeed at anything she puts her mind to." But then, that seems to be a family tradition. Monica's mother is a UW-Parkside graduate. She teaches 2nd grade at Somers Elementary. "My dad has been my foundation though," Monica said. "When things get tough he reminds me why I'm doing this, what my goals are. I never take my education for granted. I remind myself how lucky I am to have a family that makes me feel like I'm capable."
Monica is quick to add that many UW-Parkside faculty have also been immensely influential during her last three years here. "Of course there's Dr. Lewis, and Dr. Mossman, and Tom Roelke," Monica said, "But Jane Pinnow is the best math teacher I've ever had, and Professor Patrick McGuire, well, he just knows how to talk to students. They've helped me realize that what I do in all of my classes today will have an impact on the kind of biologist I will be tomorrow."
Publish date: 11/6/2007
