View All

Diana Illencik

  • Senior, Sociology and Comparative Ethnic Studies double major

The invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa at UW-Milwaukee is a great honor. Being an international student, the beginnings of my studies at UWM were truly challenging. With the help of excellent professors and various resources, I was able to develop the necessary skills for academic success, and I will be soon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Comparative Ethnic Studies, as well as a certificate in Quantitative Social Data Analysis. Involvement in the undergraduate research helped me to discover my passion for research, which I plan to pursue further in a graduate school.

During my last semester, I designed and undertook an independent research project as an intern for Refugees International. As a volunteer for the Center for International Education, I was able to share my experience as an international student with other incoming students, as well as develop friendships with people from all over the world. I thank my academic advisors and faculty members who helped me plan my academic career and overcome all the unexpected obstacles that I encountered during my studies. My experience at UWM has been truly rewarding and transformative, and I look forward to further advancing my education in the future.

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.