Scholarship Recipients

My first year at Parkside has brought me various valuable opportunities to further my educational journey, both through courses and hands-on experience. My courses have allowed me to further explore my interests and beyond that, I have been able to further my education through getting involved in clubs. Currently, I serve on the executive board for the Parkside Journal of Science and am a senator in Student Government. Additionally, I am a student government representative for the Parkside Asian organization and am conducting undergraduate research using rats and skinner boxes studying feeding behaviors. These experiences have had a great impact on my life and have been some of my favorite memories. One of the most memorable of which was getting together with a big group of friends from my general chemistry class and studying together in the study rooms in the commons. For the rest of my education at Parkside, I plan on continuing to engage in psychology research, clubs and participating in more research. After graduating I plan to attend medical school.

My name is Bailey Peterson, and I am pursuing a degree in Applied Health Sciences with a concentration in medical laboratory science. My family has a strong background in the healthcare industry, so I’ve been immersed in science since before I can remember. From studying my sister’s nursing textbooks in middle school, to assisting with procedures in an animal research laboratory in high school, I’ve always had a passion for the STEM field. I am looking forward to continuing to be a part of scientific research and the advancements that will come along with it. 

 My time on-campus has been fairly limited, as I have had few classes in person classes up until this point. I am looking forward to becoming more involved in extracurricular and on-campus activities this year. Next year, clinical rotations are going to be a valuable part of my educational path, and I anticipate this to be the highlight of my college experience. 

 Unexpectedly, my favorite memory at Parkside so far has been the tedious work I completed in my genetics laboratory last year. Here, I was able to advance my comprehension by learning a variety of techniques and processes including the genetic mapping of Tribolium castaneum, micro-pipetting, and operating electrophoresis machines. I am looking forward to creating new and lasting memories as I enter the last half of my undergraduate educational career.

Good Evening. My name is Cristian Marquez and I am a Physics major at UW-Parkside. My future plans are to enroll in UWM’s mechanical engineering program after I get my associates in Physics from Parkside. My dream job would be working for any company making an impact and helping society move forward. My education has meant a lot to me, it gives me hope that someday I will work a job I love and be passionate about.

I’m currently participating in an Internship with Tecomet in Kenosha as a design intern. My favorite memory while being at Parkside was when I met my physics professor, Dr. Paul Mohazzabi. Never have I ever met someone with so much passion for teaching. Paul has made learning enjoyable instead of stressful. I will miss Parkside once I graduate but unfortunately, like all good things in life they must come to an end at some point!

I came to UW-Parkside to prepare for a career in medicine after obtaining my original undergraduate degree in history and working as a teacher abroad. My initial goal was simply to take the courses I would need for medical school, but coursework and research opportunities at Parkside have steered me in the direction of an MD-PhD program. While I am keeping my options open in terms of specialization, I hold a particular interest in endocrinology and type 1 diabetes research, as well as a desire to improve access to high-quality treatment options and patient education.

I was initially nervous about returning to school and wondered whether I could handle the science coursework and I credit a few talented professors and inspiring mentors for guiding me along this path and equipping me with the skills to help me thrive here. From our very first conversation about returning to school for pre-medicine studies to ongoing MCAT prep sessions, I have also benefited tremendously from the guidance and enthusiastic support of Dr. Bryan Lewis.

Among my favorite memories from Parkside so far was the opportunity to work alongside my faculty mentor in the Chemistry Department, Dr. Ilirian Dhimitruka, studying free radical compounds and their broader effects on human health. I look forward to continuing our research and contributing to building a deeper understanding of these unique compounds and their potential applications in the realm of human health and disease prevention.

Another incredibly rewarding experience has been serving as a Supplemental Instruction leader for Organic Chemistry I helping students not only master the content but enjoy the learning process as well. This experience truly demonstrates the interconnected nature of teaching and research — something I wish to carry forward into my medical career.

Greetings, my name is Hunter Cheney. I am a senior majoring in chemistry with a minor in biological sciences. After graduating from Parkside, I aspire to attend graduate school and obtain my doctorate in chemistry. My hope after receiving my Ph.D. is to eventually become a professor.

Before I started my undergraduate studies, I enlisted in the United States Army and I believe my time in service was required in order to full appreciate the true extent of academia. Parkside has afforded me the opportunity to grow academically, obtaining new knowledge and hard skills required for future endeavors, as well as enhancing my scientific inquiry process.

At Parkside, I have worked as a supplemental instruction (SI) leader for organic chemistry, a chemistry tutor, and an assistSTEM mentor for the chemistry department. I hope the guidance, motivation, and support I have provided to students helped pave a clearer pathway as they work towards their respective future.

My favorite memory/activity has been participating in research with Dr. Ilirian Dhimitruka. With his guidance, I aided with design and conducted experiments, analyzed data, and presented our findings. Dr. Dhimitruka is solely responsible for inspiring my new-found passion for research, for which I would never have received without my time here at Parkside.

My future plans very broadly are to continue to help people wherever I go. The reason that I came to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside was because we have the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I knew this was a program that would give me the ability to help people not only in my leisure time, but also in my professional life. This is why I value my education, because it allows me to do things professionally that I otherwise would not be able to do. While I love learning for the sake of it, I feel that if you do not apply what you have gained from education to the world around you then you are not honoring the privilege that has been given to you. I have had the pleasure of receiving an education here at Parkside and have done many special things within these walls. One particular thing that stands out in my mind is when my classmates and I partnered with the Parkside Library to hold a community conversation on microaggressions. We had great food, delicious drinks, and most importantly productive conversations about an issue that many of our students and faculty face in their everyday lives. While this is certainly a special thing that I have done at Parkside, I’d have to say that my favorite memories at Parkside are actually what might appear rather mundane to some people-sitting in class with my classmates and learning about topics that I am extremely passionate about from some of the best professors that I have ever had. Lastly, I would like to thank the College of Natural Health and Sciences for this considerable gift and recognition!

After graduating from Parkside, I plan to continue my journey of lifelong learning by attending graduate school to pursue my Ph.D, and possibly become a professor one day. I chose to study physics with the intent of applying it to solutions for the environmental issues we will continue to face. However, I won’t be doing this right away. First, I will resume an ongoing, self-driven “sabbatical” that began before attending Parkside in 2017. Traveling and working around the world, specifically on farms or communities that emphasize sustainable, organic, and self-sufficient practices is something I am very passionate about. I look forward to incorporating what I learn into my future research/career. 

My focus throughout my education has primarily been on the sciences, but one of my favorite experiences here was traveling to China with Voices of Parkside through a choral exchange program. We performed several concerts with strangers that quickly turned into lifelong friends, and I will cherish memories from that summer forever. Majoring in physics with minors in biology and computer science, on top of being a Research Assistant for two years, my journey at Parkside has been long and arduous. I learned though, that sometimes when we feel buried, we have actually been planted! I am thankful for the foundation Parkside has provided for me to grow as a scientist, an artist, and a thriving human being with the ability to contribute to the higher good.  On top of all of the opportunities and knowledge I’ve gained in my years here, I am able to graduate this spring with virtually no student debt, which is a blessing I do not take for granted. Thank you Parkside and thank you CNHS for believing and investing in me.

My education has been a top priority for me ever since I started going to school and for as long as I can remember.  I have always had very high expectations for myself and have set challenging goals that I am striving to achieve.  I hope to take part in giving back to the community by helping others get back to doing daily activities.

I am currently pursing an Applied Health Sciences major and my hopeful future plans are to eventually earn my master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I hope to one day work at Munster Community Hospital near my hometown in Indiana.  

In addition to my academic experiences, I am currently a member of the Parkside softball team both of which have provided wonderful opportunities and memories.   My favorite memory at Parkside was team bonding at the beach when we played flag football and capture the flag with softball.  I am very grateful that Parkside has given me amazing friends that have now become family.

My education has been a cornerstone of my life. It has given me the chance to explore different pathways and learn more about myself as a person. Here at Parkside, my education has been no different as through my courses here, I have begun to understand what it means to truly learn. Besides my courses, my education has also been enhanced by getting involved in other activities. For instance, I am currently working as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, serving as the Treasurer for the Physics Club, and conducting research on bumblebees near campus. All of these experiences have had a big impact on my life and created various memorable moments. One of these moments was when I was studying with my peers for an upcoming exam. We had a lot of fun going over the anatomy of various organisms, but more importantly, we became a support group for each other. After attending Parkside, I plan to pursue a master’s degree, with a focus on Biological Sciences. 

My name Ria Patel, and I am currently a Junior at UW-Parkside majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. In the future, I plan on going to medical school and getting my Master’s in Public Health. I hope to become a physician who also works within the Public Health field by collaborating with community organizations.  

My education has allowed me to have the freedom to explore different subjects/ideas. My passion for science and medicine started as an area in my education where I wanted to expand my knowledge. I became fascinated by the subjects and realized that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine and public health. Additionally, my education played a critical role in allowing me to become more open-minded and think more creatively.  

While at Parkside, I have gotten to participate in many special activities. One that specifically stands out is going on a house build with UW-Parkside’s Habitat for Humanity. Being able to help build a house for people in my community is an experience that I will truly never forget.  

My favorite memory from Parkside has to be my long study sessions with my friends. Booking a study room, filling all the white boards with all our notes, and complaining about our test all night was not the most glamorous experience, however, there is nothing better than finally fully understanding the material and getting to show the professor what you know!  

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in psychology over ten years ago, I decided it was time to pursue a master’s degree. My life took many exciting and unexpected twists and turns between the completion of my bachelor’s degree and my enrollment in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program here at Parkside. During that time, I had many valuable experiences and life lessons that lead me to where I am today. I am grateful for the experiences I have had in my career, which helped reignite my passion for working in the mental health field. I am very thankful for my supervisors and colleagues with Racine County Crisis who encouraged and supported me in my decision to future my education.  

I have just started my second year and my education here at Parkside has already given me so much knowledge and insight into the field of counseling and mental health services. The content covered in courses has been informative, has benefited me in my current employment and has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. I am excited to continue my education and work towards my goal of becoming a licensed professional counselor. I plan to continue to work in our local communities, as the need for mental health services continues to grow.  

Being a graduate student, my experiences on campus have been different than my undergraduate experience. The graduate program’s cohort model has allowed me to become close with my fellow classmates and develop strong relationships. I appreciate the sense of community this has brought to my educational experience here at Parkside. I am grateful for those relationships and am excited to see myself and my classmates grow into professionals in our field. I look forward to developing more lasting relationships with others, both here at Parkside and within our community. 

My education has always been my top priority since I was a little girl. I always try to learn as much as I can from my classes because I know in the future, I will be directly involved in helping people in need. After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school with the intent of becoming an occupational therapist. My dream would be to work in an outpatient rehabilitation center where I can help patients return to their daily lives. 

While I have been at Parkside, there have been many activities that I have participated in. I am on the softball team here at Parkside and some of my best memories come from moments with my team. The one particular activity that holds the most special place in my heart is our first team bonding. That day was when I first really got to know my teammates and form friendships with them. 

One of my other favorite memories from Parkside is my softball team’s Halloween practice. We were all allowed to dress up as whatever we wanted for this practice. A couple of my teammates and I decided to go as characters from different episodes of SpongeBob. Planning these costumes brought me closer to these people who are now some of my closest friends.

I would like to thank you for choosing me as a candidate for the scholarship sponsored by the College and the CNHS Advisory Board for this year. I am a first-generation Latina student interested in becoming a neurosurgeon. My plan after receiving my bachelor’s degree is to attend a Medical School program to further my education. Education to me means a key to opening doors for a better future, while also expanding my knowledge and helping me gain new skills to become not only a student but a learner. Education is a powerful skill no one can take away from you.

My parents come from Guadalajara, Mexico where it is extremely hard to get a good education. I truly appreciate my parents for their hard work so I will always strive for my education. At Parkside I feel at home. Parkside has helped me out a lot in my career but one special event that I have participated in that has impacted me a lot is the Multicultural Leadership Retreat. This experience was very introspective for me because it helped me think critically about who I am as a leader. Another memory I will never forget is when one of my professors Dr. Penny Lyter invited me to brunch for Easter; not only did Dr. Lyter made me feel certain that I can achieve my goal, but she is a great positive role model who inspires me to be great.

Once again, thank you.