Meet the New Panther Tracks Team!
Cristopher Santos (He/him/his & they/them)
Podcast Intern
Communication Major
Junior (December 2026)
Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico
In the past I have worked with the Windy Hill Review to highlight the awesome talent and creativity of the student body. An opportunity that taught me how to highlight a good story. Something I now use to find the stories told in our podcast. I have been part of The Panther Tracks (formally titled, Panther Planet Podcast) for a year and a half. While working on this project, I have had the opportunity to indulge my curiosity and that of our listeners on global exploration.
I joined the podcast team to learn about production, direction, marketing, and hosting; all things that make a great and fulfilling podcast. I wish to help my team to research and share many stories from around all the interconnected communities that form UWM. I hope to help engage with our wonderful audience on social media. My experience on working on the podcast will aid me in following my path to Public Relations direction once I graduate in 2026.
I have lived in Milwaukee for the last year and a half and in Wisconsin as a whole for the last 7 years, but I originally come from a small town in Puerto Rico called Barrazas. I loved my homeland; however, I like the thrill of adventure into a busy city life and have been surprised to find friends in a place I call my academic home. I love conversation and I can talk about almost anything, however some of my favorite topics are books/art/history/ music of all kinds (no, really from K-pop all the way to Maria Callas).
I hope you enjoy our Panther Tracks podcast! Please feel free to reach out to our team with questions or recommendations for topics, guests, or themes! Thank you!
*santosr4@uwm.edu*
Grace Pagel (she/her/hers)
Podcast Intern
Journalism, Advertising, Media Studies Major
Senior (May 2025)
Hometown: Lannon, WI
My name is Grace Pagel and I am a senior Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies (JAMS) major at The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and I will be graduating in May of 2025. I am originally from Lannon, WI and have been at the University for three years. While in Milwaukee, I founded Prowl Radio station in my sophomore year with four of my other peers and now act as the station manager. My hobbies outside of work and school include playing guitar, doodling, listening to podcasts, watching the news, and going to concerts. A fun fact about me is I am in a band that I play guitar and sing in. It’s a fun time! I’m so thrilled to be a part of this team and am excited to see where this semester takes the podcast! Contact: gmpagel@uwm.edu
Kaye Van Susteren-Wedesky (she/they)
Podcast Coordinator
BA in Communication
Class of Fall 2025
Hometown: Lone Rock, Wisconsin
You may recognize me from my work in Undergraduate Admissions, and I hope to carry that success and cheery energy into this role as we help you expand your knowledge about global culture. I joined the Panther Planet Podcast team to hone in on my project management skills. This is an area of study I have vastly enjoyed during my communication degree. I strive to help the team stay on schedule, pick themes for content, and make sure the podcast is going off without a hitch! I find success and fulfillment in helping my team achieve their goals. Which is why I wish to pursue management with my communication degree.
I have been living in Milwaukee for the last 5 years, but I originally come from a small town in Wisconsin called Lone Rock. I enjoyed my time in rural Wisconsin and loved the beauty of the driftless area, however I prefer the busy bustle of city life and adore all the new friends I have found in this community. My favorite topic to talk about is my four-year-old black cat named Bougie. He rarely lives up to his namesake as he refuses to sleep on anything plush. Instead, Bougie prefers a cardboard box with a towel in it.
Nada Abduljalil (she/her)
Podcast Intern
English & Psychology Major
Communication Minor
Senior Standing (May 2025)
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
I’m excited to join the Panther Tracks Podcast team to explore my research and public speaking skills through this entertaining medium. I look forward to building my production, interview, and editing skills while indulging my curiosity and giving other people the space to share their fascinating perspectives on the podcast. Being a Palestinian American woman has given me insight into living between two worlds, so I’ve always had an in-between experience growing up with Middle Eastern culture as an American. Always carrying different perspectives has fostered my empathy skills and made me constantly curious about other people’s backgrounds, traditions, and stories.
I’ve grown up and lived in Milwaukee my entire life. Despite it being the largest city in Wisconsin, I’ve heard many people say they appreciate the small-town feel. I didn’t consider Milwaukee a small-town feeling until I started running into my cousins on campus. When I am not spending time with family, I love to pick my friends’ brains with long, spiraling conversations about confusing or blood-boiling topics. I hope listening to the Panther Tracks Podcast evokes that same spiraling conversation experience for you.
I hope you enjoy our Panther Tracks Podcast! Please feel free to reach out to our team with questions or recommendations for topics, guests, or themes! Thank you!
Patricia Iwok (she/her)
Podcast Intern
Psychology Major
Junior (Spring 2026)
Hometown: Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
I’m originally from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, and I lived in Lagos before moving to the U.S. for college in 2022. Since then, I’ve created countless new memories and wonderful experiences. I love experimenting with new recipes, especially baking because of my sweet tooth. I’m also passionate about learning languages and am currently exploring Mandarin, French, Ukrainian, and Czech. Traveling is another one of my favorite activities, alongside watching Chinese and Korean dramas, listening to music, and tuning in to podcasts.
I believe every human being is a walking story, and I’m endlessly curious about people’s experiences. I love listening to and providing platforms for people to share their stories because I believe that’s how we grow and learn from one another. This curiosity is also what led me to study psychology, as I want to understand the thoughts and feelings people carry with their stories.
I’m thrilled to join the podcast team, where I can contribute to a creative space and help amplify voices and stories. If you have ideas or would like to share your story on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you!