Former name: Stephanie Bunzel
Year(s) Graduated: 2006, 2011
I had my first born son when I was a junior in college. It was a big life change, and I didn’t know if I would finish school or not after my son was born. Thankfully, I met Dr. Lisa Poupart. Not only did Lisa get me acclimated to UWGB, she encouraged me to keep with it, and she helped spark a fire inside me that made me want to work hard to succeed—not just for me, but for my family. I graduated from UWGB with high honors with a degree in Humanities and an emphasis in First Nation Studies in 2006. I reached a goal that I wasn’t sure if I ever would reach. I was the first in my family to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. I was a wife, a mother, and a full-time employee, but I still had a fire burning, that desire to continue learning. I decided I wanted to continue with my education at UWGB, and I knew that it would help provide me with additional skills that would help me in all areas of life. After an insightful meeting with Tim Kaufman, I enrolled in the Masters of Education program: Applied leadership for Teaching and Learning. It wasn’t always easy, but with family support, I found a way to balance everything in my life. The weekend class schedule worked well for me. Currently, I am employed under the Oneida Nation Early Head Start Program. I am a Home Visitor/Parent Educator. I teach parents that they are their child’s first and most influential teacher. I help provide parents with the confidence and materials they need to ensure that their children are going to excel in all areas of development. I am able to reciprocate what Lisa has done for me, and that is very rewarding. I now encourage young mothers to continue their education and pursue their goals. I am very thankful for the skills and the knowledge that I have gained at UWGB. The education program is wonderful, and there are excellent staff members there who provide the framework for you to build upon your own desires, so you too can rise like the phoenix as you pursue your own dreams!