Community & Business Engagement Stories

Fatima Gonzalez, a psychology major who graduated in December 2024, embraced challenges and stepped outside her comfort zone in order to put her learning into action. She’s faced her share of obstacles, especially as a first-generation Mexican-American college student. Balancing work and school was tough, but the faculty and staff at Parkside went above and beyond to help her stay focused on her academics and career goals. This led to an amazing HR internship at BrightStar Care which then turned into a permanent position once she graduated! Fatima plans to pursue additional certifications and eventually her master’s in business administration. Fatima reflects, “The staff at Parkside didn’t just help me succeed—they helped me grow into the person I am today, and I’ll never forget that.”

As a Safety, Health, and Environmental Intern at Haribo, Katie Opal realized the importance of communication. Through her internship Katie streamlined safety efforts. As a communication major, she saw firsthand how communication affects daily work in the manufacturing facility. Katie said “The most rewarding part of the experience was being able to walk around the facility and seeing my work up on the walls. Every poster that I made will make an impact for years to come.” Additionally, Katie shared that this internship opened doors for her that she wouldn't have opened on her own. Just like Katie, you can also put your Learning in Action! 

Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern, Fall 2024

Megan Bahr, a senior sociology and anthropology major, represented the University of Wisconsin-Parkside at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. Megan, who works as a MOSAIC Educator in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, also works with NCORE on their advisory council. Megan said “This experience solidified my interest to work in higher education. The most amazing part of the experience was learning how to engage students in discussion to foster inclusion and civil discourse.” Fueled by this experience, Megan plans to pursue a graduate degree in higher education administration. Like Megan, you can put your Learning in Action! 

Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern, Fall 2024

Tiffany Brown, a junior sports management major put her learning in action as a Hospitality Intern at the Kenosha Kingfish as part of her program’s field experience. In this role, Tiffany applied theory into practice, such as aspects of the Sports Sales and Customer Service course she took at Parkside. She said “I had the opportunity to use what I have been learning in my classes at my internship over the summer. I used a lot of the marketing skills that I learned about in sports marketing to help create and promote deals for the food and beverage department, as well as to help with the groups and sponsors that came to games during the season.” As she put her learning in action her favorite part of the internship was seeing the satisfaction of the customers that used the historic Simmons Field! 

Fall 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Alleigha Williams’ internship shaped her both as a person and a professional. Through her Community Engagement Internship position at the City of Racine, she was at the forefront of teaching digital literacy skills to breakdown the digital divide. In her internship, Alleigha created lessons she taught to people who live in the community. Alleigha said “The most rewarding part of the internship was being able to see how effective the lessons are. One person that I taught a lesson to lit up in excitement!” Additionally Alleigha shared that this internship allowed her to see the day-to-day aspects of a working professional. Alleigha, a marketing, and accounting major put her Learning in Action! 

Fall 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Sheridan Ewald, a sophomore nursing major, put her Learning in Action by studying abroad in Paris. This past spring break she joined a group of students who traveled to Paris. During the week Sheridan experienced life outside of the U.S. She said, “It was so rewarding being able to travel to another country, and to be exposed to another culture.” Looking ahead to a future career in nursing, Sheridan will be able to better connect with people of other cultures.  

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Jason Zabel works as a Nursing Intern at Ascension All Saints Hospital in the City of Racine. Through his internship, Jason can see what a day in the life of a full-time nursing professional looks like. He works in various rotations in the hospital including orthopedics, emergency medicine, and wound care. When asked of what he recommends to other students who are interested in pursuing an internship he said, “There is a lot to learn when you are working on a shift with another nurse.” Jason put his learning into action as a nursing intern at Ascension All Saints Hospital.

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Alfredo Sandoval-Luis works as a Software Engineering Intern at AbbVie. Alfredo met the AbbVie recruiters at the Internship and Career Fair at Parkside. The computer science skills he learned at Parkside helped him build a strong foundation for the future. Alfredo said, “I love software engineering. The most rewarding part of this internship is knowing that the things I'm working on are going to help deliver treatments to people.” Alfredo put his learning into action as an intern at AbbVie.

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Dr. Aubri McDonald, Assistant Professor in the Criminal Justice Department, teaches CRMJ/SOCA 365: Race, Crime, Law every semester at UW-Parkside. The course is community-based learning designated and partners with the Racine County Youth Development and Care Center (YDCC). In the course, students visit the facility and analyze the results of an employee experience survey to support the staff and youth in their care as they prepare to transition to a new facility in 2025. Students integrate course concepts, research, and trauma-informed principles into their analysis. The CBL projects are guided by YDCC’s mission and vision for the new facility – To transform youth justice, strengthen support (i.e., staff, family, community) for the youth, and keep youth out of adult corrections. Dr. McDonald said, “The most rewarding part of teaching this course is learning that students are very motivated and interested in working and changing their community for the better.” While teaching this course, Dr. McDonald puts her students' learning into action in a professional setting by working with community partners.

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Jessica Cheng works as a Social Media and Marketing Intern at Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha. Jessica got involved with Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha through the campus chapter at Parkside. Through her internship Jessica applies graphic design principles she learned at Parkside to her internship. Jessica said, “My most rewarding part of my internship is being able see my graphics and designs being used for an actual (non-profit) company and being able to communicate Habitat Kenosha’s messages in creative ways.” Jessica put her learning into action as an intern at Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha.  

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Boluwatife Hamzat, a Senior Biological Sciences Major works as the Always Reaching Upwards Mentoring Program Student Coordinator in the office of multicultural student affairs. In her role, Boluwatife is the liaison between the office's professional staff and student employees. She said “In this role, I learned how to be a good role model and a better leader. I have been able to hear the voices of others, work as a team, and be a good team leader.” Working on campus is an additional way to gain leadership and communication skills. Boluwatife put her Learning in Action as the ARU Student Coordinator.  

Spring 2024 - Written by Alejandro Solis, CBE Ambassador Intern

Amplifying Stories of Kenosha & Racine's Latinx Communities

Over the last few years community-based learning students at UW-Parkside have captured the oral history of local Latinx community members. Students learn the components of podcast production, including interviewing, story development, script writing, and sound editing. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Latinx History Collective, the podcasts are shared with the Wisconsin Historical Society as part of their effort to document the Latinx history of Wisconsin. 

Listen to "Amplifying Stories of Kenosha & Racine's Latinx Communities"