Outstanding Graduates Spring 2025
Chancellor’s Award
The Chancellor’s Award is emblematic of UW-Parkside's top graduating student.
Stephanie Narciso | Business Management
Guided by a deep commitment to service and community impact, Stephanie Narciso has built an extraordinary record of leadership and academic distinction at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. As a Business Management major with minors in Finance and Human Resources, she has consistently demonstrated the drive, insight, and initiative of an emerging leader in her field.
Stephanie plays an integral role in several student organizations, including the Parkside Asian Organization, Latinos Unidos, Parkside Advocacy for Women, and the Black Student Union, where her creativity and outreach efforts have helped strengthen cultural awareness and foster a more connected campus community.
Her dedication to public service extends beyond UW-Parkside. Through Habitat for Humanity and a community-based learning partnership with KODA Midwest, Stephanie applied her strategic and organizational skills to support housing initiatives and enhance systems serving deaf adults. She also brings meaningful real-world experience as an Employment and Training Specialist and through her military service. Thoughtful, determined, and impact-driven, Stephanie exemplifies the spirit of an Outstanding Graduate.
Congratulations, Stephanie!
Outstanding Graduates – alphabetical order
Each year, faculty members of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside nominate students in the senior class to receive the university's Outstanding Graduate Award. A committee of faculty and staff then select the recipients.
Gabriela Guzmán | Elementary Education
Gabriela Guzmán is an outstanding educator-in-training whose academic strength, professional readiness, and deep commitment to community define her time at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. Completing a major in Elementary Education alongside an ESL minor and a Bilingual-Bicultural Education certificate, she will graduate licensed in three high-need areas and distinguished by a record of academic excellence recognized through repeated Dean’s and Provost’s List honors and the Academic Achievement Award.
Gabriela’s instructors describe her as persistent, empathetic, and student-centered—an educator who has grown from uncertainty to complete confidence in her instructional skills. Through rigorous coursework, extensive clinical placements, and reflective practice, she has developed a strong foundation in multilingual education and an ability to design responsive, learner-focused instruction.
Her impact extends well beyond required fieldwork. Gabriela consistently volunteers additional hours in local schools, mentors younger learners, supports after-school programs, and serves her hometown community through educational and advocacy efforts. Compassionate, dedicated, and driven, she represents the very best of UW-Parkside’s mission and exemplifies the qualities of an Outstanding Graduate.
Congratulations, Gabriela!
Nate Mack | Communication
Nate Mack is an exceptional graduating senior whose academic excellence, leadership, and service embody the highest ideals of the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. A first-generation college student, Nate has distinguished himself as a sharp, thoughtful communicator with a powerful writing voice and a deep commitment to community engagement. His scholarly work reflects a keen interest in disability experiences and the ways social perceptions shape everyday interactions—an area he explores with insight and originality.
Beyond the classroom, Nate contributes meaningfully to campus life as a member of The Straylight Literary Arts Magazine, collaborating with fellow students to produce and promote creative work. He also serves the broader community by leading writing workshops for participants at Easter Seals of Southeast Wisconsin and the Kenosha Achievement Center, helping individuals develop foundational literacy and communication skills. Nate’s resilience, intellectual curiosity, and generosity have made him a valued member of the UW-Parkside community and an outstanding graduate.
Congratulations, Nate!
Zarangiz “Zara” Misaghi | Health Information Management and Technology
Zarangiz “Zara” Misaghi’s academic journey is defined by remarkable resilience, professional focus, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. As a distinguished graduate of the Health Information Management and Technology program, she excelled across a rigorous curriculum while balancing full-time employment, part-time teaching, and the responsibilities of raising two children, consistently upholding the highest standards of performance and integrity.
Zara also played a pivotal leadership role in shaping student engagement within her program. As a founding officer and inaugural Vice President of the HIMT Student Organization, she helped establish its mission, coordinated professional development opportunities, and fostered a collaborative environment that continues to strengthen the student community.
Her accomplishments are deeply underscored by her personal history. After being denied access to higher education in Iran, Zara pursued the opportunities once withheld from her with determination and humility. Her perseverance, character, and dedication to service make her an extraordinary representative of UW-Parkside.
Congratulations, Zarangiz!
Ali Torkelson | Music
A dynamic musician, educator, and campus leader, Ali Torkelson has made a lasting impact on the University of Wisconsin–Parkside through her artistry, initiative, and commitment to her community. An accomplished performer and emerging music educator, Ali has excelled in her scholarship and demonstrated remarkable readiness for the profession through her student-teaching placement, where her thoughtful preparation, reflective practice, and ability to connect with students have earned enthusiastic praise.
Ali revitalized UW-Parkside’s collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education, transforming it into a vibrant, sustainable organization that now serves as a key professional resource for peers. She also launched the university’s first student-run Video Game Music Concert, showcasing her creativity, organizational skill, and passion for collaborative performance.
A first-generation college graduate, Ali has built an extraordinary record of service, leadership, and artistic excellence—leaving UW-Parkside stronger through her achievements and example.
Congratulations, Ali!
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.
Media contact:
Derek Fye
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Fye@uwp.edu | (262) 771-5419