Simone Sharpe is on target to graduate this month with a major in community engagement and education and a minor in business management. Simone was homeless when she first started taking classes with us in 2013. Through the encouragement of caring advisors and faculty and scholarship support, Simone found successes beyond her imagination. She’s already been offered a job and will give back to our community when she begins working full-time with Milwaukee Public Schools after graduating.

UWM graduate Patricia Contreras has certainly made her mark since earning a degree in finance in 2000. Patricia is director of global community relations and contributions for Rockwell Automation. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant, she grew up six blocks away from the Allen Bradley building. Her impact is intensely positive at the very local level and across the globe. At Rockwell, Patricia aligns corporate philanthropy with workforce strategies. This includes important partnerships with schools that have largely Latino populations at Rogers Academy and Escuela Vieau Elementary School.

Pat Jensen is a proud parent who calls UWM a hidden gem. Her son is a digital arts major who she described as a ‘super senior’ who changed his major a couple of times and has now found his calling through the help and encouragement of our people. Pat’s younger daughter is studying abroad currently and is majoring in French and economics. The personal growth kindled by excellent faculty and advising staff across campus, and the exposure to global travel and undergraduate research have opened doors for both of Pat’s children.

I love sharing the stories of UWM to potential students, our business and community partners, legislators, neighbors and friends. But the power of our students, alumni and parents telling their own personal stories is even more incredible!