The School of Nursing Welcomes New Cohort of Student Ambassadors

Katie Aglione x’27

Katie Aglione is a dual-degree student pursuing a BSN and a degree in Health Promotion and Health Equity. Originally from Rumson, New Jersey, she was drawn to UW–Madison for the opportunity to experience a new environment and join a highly regarded nursing program.

Katie hopes to begin her career in critical care, working in an intensive care unit before potentially pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Her advice to those considering a career in nursing is to treat every interaction in clinicals, or with other nurses and nurse managers, as a job interview. “You never know who you could meet and where it could lead you!” Katie says.

One of her favorite UW traditions is “Jump Around” at Camp Randall, a tradition that captures the energy and spirit of being a Badger.

Kelly Amberg x’28

A highlight of Kelly Amberg’s pre-nursing experience was taking the elective course “Community Support for People with Dementia” and volunteering at Capitol Lakes Retirement Community, both of which gave her a deeper understanding of dementia and made her even more excited to be a nurse. “I witnessed the joy that compassionate, person-centered care can bring,” she says.

Kelly is from Byron, Minnesota, and chose UW–Madison because of its strong academic reputation, innovative simulation experiences, and faculty who are deeply invested in student success. Kelly currently works as a patient care assistant at Mayo Clinic and hopes to transition to a registered nurse in transplant care after graduation. Long-term, she plans to gain critical care experience and pursue graduate education to become a CRNA.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time at Memorial Union Terrace with friends and watching sunsets over Lake Mendota.

Maddy Ancheta x’27

“My favorite part of the experience of nursing school is being able to connect with so many people with similar career aspirations and goals,” says Maddy Ancheta. She says the small cohort made it easy for her to make friends and enjoy her first year of nursing school.

Originally from Middleton, Maddy chose the School of Nursing because of its outstanding resources, strong partnerships with local health systems, and hands-on learning opportunities in simulation and clinical education.

Although she’s still exploring potential specialties, she’s particularly interested in women’s health, medical-surgical nursing, oncology, and travel nursing.

Her advice to future nurses is to care for themselves as intentionally as they care for others. Maddy’s favorite tradition is hearing “Varsity” at football games and events. “It always makes me tear up,” she says.  “I love being a Badger!”

Sophia Calderon x’28

Originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, Sophia Calderon chose UW–Madison because of its reputation as one of the nation’s leading nursing schools and its commitment to preparing students as well-rounded generalist nurses. She values the supportive learning environment and extensive alumni network, which she believes will help prepare her for a successful health care career.

Sophia hopes to work in pediatric intensive care after graduation before pursuing advanced education to become a CRNA.

She encourages prospective students to seek hands-on health care experiences early, like volunteering, working as a certified nursing assistant, or shadowing nurses. She says, “Explore the different paths within the profession and do your research to find the specialty and level of patient interaction that best aligns with your interests and goals, because trust me, there’s something out there in nursing for you!”

Fun fact: Sophia is fluent in Greek.

Kriszelle Comia x’28

Kriszelle Comia is pursuing her nursing degree along with a certificate in Global Health. Born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Wisconsin at age 11, she brings a global perspective to her studies and future career.

“I chose UW–Madison School of Nursing because it felt like a place where I could grow into the kind of nurse I want to become,” she says. The hands-on learning, commitment to leadership, diversity, and focus on patient-centered care stood out to her, as well as the supportive faculty, hard-working and passionate classmates, and opportunities to give back to the community.

Kriszelle is passionate about providing high-quality, culturally responsive care, and after graduation, she hopes to gain experience as a travel nurse, explore emergency nursing, and eventually pursue an advanced practice role as either a nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

She encourages those who are interested in nursing to have a strong sense of purpose, ask questions, and learn from others.

Caroline Fenlon x’27

Caroline Fenlon chose the School of Nursing because of its supportive community and close relationships between students and faculty. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, she values the individualized clinical experiences and mentorship opportunities that help students build confidence in their skills.

After graduation, Caroline hopes to pursue a career in pediatric oncology, combining her passion for children with her interest in cancer research and advancements in patient care. “I have always felt drawn to helping children and supporting families during some of their most difficult moments,” she says.

Some of her favorite nursing school experiences have taken place in simulation and open lab environments, where collaboration, learning, and teamwork come together. “Whether it is an early morning lab or working through a challenging scenario together, these experiences have been a place where we can laugh, build confidence, and continue learning as a team,” she says.

Outside of academics, Caroline enjoys music, plays guitar, writes songs, and used to perform with her band at local fairs and community events.

Yangzee Phintso x’28

Yangzee Phintso is a Madison native pursuing a degree in Health Promotion and Health Equity. Having grown up around campus, she always imagined becoming a Badger and was drawn to UW–Madison’s strong academic reputation and vibrant campus culture. Yangzee hopes to continue her education after graduation and become a nurse practitioner.

She encourages prospective nursing students to explore the many possibilities within the profession. “Nursing is such a diverse field and encompasses more than just bedside care,” she says. “Get involved in activities that allow you to explore your interests and learn more about yourself.”

Her favorite UW tradition is gathering with friends at Memorial Union Terrace when the iconic colorful chairs return each spring. A fun fact is that her first name means “precious stone” in Tibetan.

Kaitlin Pureza x’28

Kaitlin Pureza found her path to nursing while in high school in Round Lake, Illinois. Although she initially planned to pursue a career as a physician assistant, Kaitlin was drawn to the meaningful patient relationships at the heart of nursing. She transitioned her academic plans while remaining committed to attending UW–Madison. “From being an R1 institution, having 3 high-quality hospitals no more than a mile out from campus, to the amazing balance of city and nature, I knew no matter how my journey towards becoming a nurse took me, the UW–Madison School of Nursing will prepare me to become the best nurse I can possibly be for my future patients,” she says.

Kaitlin loves her current position on the 4E cardiovascular intermediate care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. She’s keeping an open mind as she explores specialties for the future, with interests ranging from cardiovascular care and women’s health to psychiatric nursing.

Her advice for future nursing students is to find ways to care for themselves and stay grounded, no matter how challenging the situation is.

Abigail Schafer x’27

“I chose the UW–Madison School of Nursing because I wanted to attend a school that felt like home while still challenging me to grow into the nurse I want to become,” says Abigail Schafer, who is from Oconomowoc. “I could feel how much people cared about the university and the nursing profession, and I knew I wanted to be part of that community.”

She hopes to begin her career in either emergency or intensive care nursing, where she can combine critical thinking, teamwork, and compassionate patient care.

Abigail’s favorite nursing school memory comes from a pain management simulation exercise that challenged her to troubleshoot a stubborn patient-controlled analgesia pump, reinforcing the importance of problem-solving and asking for help when needed. “At the time, I was frustrated and unsure of what I was missing, but it ended up being one of the most valuable learning experiences I have had in nursing school,” she says.

Abigail’s advice for aspiring nurses is to stay connected to the reasons they chose the profession, especially during demanding moments.

Outside of class, Abigail is an enthusiastic fan of “Jump Around” and has participated in a mission trip to Haiti.

Narianna Tagura x’27

From Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Narianna Tagura always dreamed of attending UW–Madison. She values the university’s reputation, support for students of color, and its emphasis on leadership and compassion. Narianna plans to become a pediatric nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner. She’ll graduate with a BSN and a certificate in Asian American studies.

Her favorite experience was shadowing nurses at UW Hospital and Hyland Park Assisted Living, where she was able to step into their shoes—following their routines, observing their critical thinking, and taking on responsibilities under their guidance.

Her advice for future nursing students is to remember that nursing is not just bedside care, and to seek out different experiences—whether it’s working in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility, studying abroad, or volunteering.

Fun fact: Narianna studied abroad in Australia to learn about disability care.

Makenna Zeller x’27

By the time she graduates, Manitowoc native Makenna Zeller will have a nursing degree, a major in Health Promotion and Health Equity, and a certificate in Disability Rights and Services.

She chose the School of Nursing for its reputation for fostering a welcoming, supportive community within a large university setting. “Although our university is large, the School of Nursing creates a sense of belonging and family that makes it feel like home!” she says.

Makenna’s favorite nursing school memory so far was her clinical rotations and the meaningful connections she’s built with classmates and instructors.

After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in obstetrics or pediatrics and may eventually continue her education to earn a DNP degree.

Beyond nursing, Makenna is passionate about dance and choreography and performs with Optima, a student organization on campus. She also participates in dance intensives in Los Angeles.

Ava Ziemann x’27

Ava Ziemann, a transfer student from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, immediately felt welcomed by the UW–Madison nursing staff during her application process. After graduation, she hopes to work in an ICU or pediatric unit. Ava encourages prospective nursing students to shadow and ask questions to gain insight into the profession.

Fun fact: Ava is bilingual.