What is a fun fact about you?
I love trying all kinds of food—but unfortunately, I’m a terrible cook!
What is your role and what you like about working at the School of Nursing?
My role is to help potential students who are interested in the School for Nursing and want to apply—transfer students, high school students, or our pre-nursing students. A part of my job is also to evaluate their applications and help admit them.
I really like my colleagues and my students. My colleagues are just incredibly friendly and help support each other. My students are so interested in what they are learning and what they’re doing. I just have never seen such a group of talented students, and they’re working so hard towards their goals.
I look at their books and I’m like, “Wow, that’s a lot of hard terminology.” They have to remember that terminology, they have to put it into practice, and they do it really well. It’s surprising how talented they are.
Since you started working here, what have you learned about nursing?
I learned they not only do bedside care, but they also do research and are innovating all the time. They take on more responsibilities than I originally thought.
What is the future of nursing?
What makes nurses so different, so unique, is the human connection. AI can do work but it will never be able to replace that human connection.
When I hear hard news, I want a real person holding my hand and showing me they care. And when I have a question about my kids’ medication or how to use it, I want a real person to tell me how to take the doses, how this is going to impact their health, and also comforting me and telling me she has been there too.
What has helped you along the way to grow and develop your career here?
One of the things I appreciate most about UW–Madison is the wide range of professional development opportunities for staff. The most recent course I took, “Your Interpersonal Communication Style,” helped me identify my own communication style and better understand how to interact effectively with different team members. Since communication is crucial in my role as an admissions and recruitment coordinator, this course has been especially valuable in improving my day-to-day interactions.
What is your favorite insider tip about the School of Nursing (e.g., where to find the best snacks) or advice you have for someone who wants to start a career here?
My favorite thing about the School of Nursing is Dr. Barb King’s homemade soup! She uses fresh ingredients from her own garden to make soups that are both healthy and delicious—a real treat if you get the chance to try them.
Every position on our campus makes an impact on our campus community and beyond. How does your role contribute to the Wisconsin Idea?
As an admissions and recruitment coordinator, I support the Wisconsin Idea by expanding access to nursing education for pre-nursing students, transfer students, and second-degree students. Through recruitment and admissions, I help individuals from diverse backgrounds pursue nursing careers, addressing Wisconsin’s growing health care needs and improving patient care across the state.
Anything else you would like students or other staff and faculty to know?
I love milk tea! If you do too, let’s grab tea together sometime.