Robert Baker III
Rob “Biko” Baker is a digital storyteller and scholar of African American history and political engagement. He serves as Teaching Faculty and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and teaches in the university’s dual enrollment M³ program—a multi-institutional partnership between UWM, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Milwaukee Public Schools. His research explores the intersection of urban history, culture, and political power, with a particular focus on how media and technology shape the civic and economic agency of Black communities. Mentor: Aaron Schutz.
Amanda Barkster
Amanda Barkster serves as the Security & Service Desk Administrative Supervisor in University Housing. A proud Army veteran and Milwaukee native, she brings over 14 years of experience in human intelligence operations, leadership, and federal service, with a strong focus on resilience, effective communication, and strategic problem-solving. As a participant in the Mosaic Leadership Academy, she is focused on developing her leadership skills, fostering collaboration, and building stronger, more compassionate communities. Committed to community engagement, mental health advocacy, and professional development, Amanda actively participates in nonprofit initiatives, holds multiple certifications, and is currently enrolled as a first-year graduate student in the MSW program. Mentor: Susan Cushman.
Jaclyn Breen
Jackie Breen (she/her) is a Lead Recruiter within OUA, where she engages with prospective students and supports their transition into higher education. With prior experience as a high school educator, she brings experience in student development and a deep understanding of educational pathways. Now in her first year with OUA, Jackie is eager to continue advancing in the field of higher education and contributing to its impact on students’ futures. Mentor: Emilie Hofacker.
Avik Chakrabarti
Avik Chakrabarti, an alumnus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is an Associate Professor (tenured) of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) at the Department of Economics and Affiliated Faculty at the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute. As a recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award, he has taught students enrolled in Ph.D., MBA, BBA, Undergraduate (Principles and Intermediate) and Pre-College courses at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and UWM. The output of his research, disseminated through more than 40 presentations and 50 peer-reviewed articles comprising the highest cited of any solo-authored publication by faculty at the UWM Department of Economics, currently include Artifical Intelligence & Local Business. Mentor: Dave Clark.
Kyla Esguerra
Kyla Esguerra serves as the Interim Director (and long-term Associate Director) of UWM’s Office of Undergraduate Research, where she develops and manages programs that support undergraduate collaborations with research-active faculty and staff. She has served as an elected Councilor in the Undergraduate Research Program Director division of the national Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and as Chair of the executive board of the Wisconsin System Council on Undergraduate Research (WiSCUR). She is also active in academic staff governance and currently serves as an elected member of Academic Staff Committee, where she interfaces with campus leadership as a representative for staff across campus. Mentor: Brian Thompson.
Kelsi Faust
Kelsi Faust, Ed.D. has been an Academic Advisor at the Zilber College of Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 6 years where she works in depth on student retention and belongingness efforts. She finished her dissertation, Exploring Student Integration into Academic and Social Systems using Tinto’s Theory of Student Departure: A Qualitative Case Study of Student Connectedness at a Metropolitan University in the Midwest, in 2023 and enjoys applying her research to her current work. Kelsi is a part of several UWM committees, such as the Ombuds Council and Academic Policy Committee, allowing her to be connected and make an impact within the UWM community. Mentor: Robin Jens.
Dawn Anniece Jones
Dawn Anniece Jones MSM, SHRM-CP is an experienced Human Resources professional who currently works in Human Resources-Benefits at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A lifelong learner who is passionate about helping others and advancing the community around her. A person who values and prioritizes health and wellness, loves life and especially spending time with her favorite four-legged friend Piper. Mentor: Shavonn Montgomery-Brown.
Gabriela Reid
Gabriela Reid, MBA is a dedicated and passionate professional known for her unwavering commitment to teamwork and leadership. Before transitioning to higher education in 2022, she built a strong foundation in the business industry, where she honed her skills in strategic thinking and organizational development. Now serving as a Residence Life Coordinator for Sandburg Residence Hall, South Tower, Gabriela brings contagious enthusiasm and a positive mindset to every endeavor, consistently supporting and motivating students and colleagues. Her reliability and drive for continuous improvement make her an asset in any collaborative or leadership role. Mentor: Ben Trager.
Julie Reindl
Julie Reindl is an accomplished Enterprise IT Project Manager within University Information Technology Services, where she leads technical teams through complex campus-wide projects with a focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and delivering strategic value to UWM. With over two decades of experience in information technology, her expertise spans desktop and network administration, IT security, procurement, vendor management, instructional technology, and project administration. Julie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with dual majors in Information Systems Management and Human Resource Management, as well as a Master of Science in Information Systems Management. Mentor: Beth Schaefer.
Vipavee Thongpriwan
Vipavee Thongpriwan serves as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Curriculum Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing (SON) for the 2025 academic year, where she leads efforts in DNP curriculum redesign, course alignment, and implementation. Her work emphasizes the integration of teaching innovation, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making. As a participant in the 2025-2026 Mosaic Leadership Academy, Vipavee seeks to engage in interprofessional dialog to further develop her leadership skills aimed at elevating the DNP program to be recognized across the Midwest and beyond. Mentor: Amy Harley.
Crystasany Turner
Crystasany R. Turner, Ph.D. (she/her/ella), is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Rooted in Black feminist epistemologies, her research centers the perspectives and cultural knowledge of Black women educators in the care and education of Children of Color. Her scholarship, which examines systemic inequities and spirit-centered pedagogies in early childhood education, has been published in Race Ethnicity and Education, the Journal of African American Women and Girls in Education, and the Journal of Teacher Education, among others. Mentor: Pamela Harris.