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Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project

goersab — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project goersab February 20, 2026

Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales

Abbey Goers

Nothing draws a hungry crowd quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread, the flaky deliciousness of croissants, the mouthwatering perfection of pastries. At Edgewood Bakeshop, owner Bekah Stamps welcomes daily crowds, as patrons form a line out the door of her popular artisanal bakeshop in downtown Chetek.

But how does an already successful business improve its operations and increase sales? For Stamps, the answer came in a collaboration with �� business administration students.

Recently, students in Lecturer Kayla Stajkovic ��. Cost Accounting course used Edgewood Bakeshop ��. real cost, sales and operations data to analyze break-even points, product decisions and seasonal sales patterns. At the end of the project, they presented their recommendations to Stamps.

As lines form out the door, Edgewood Bakeshop's products consistently sell out. / Bekah Stamps

“I was impressed with the level of professionalism I witnessed from the students in this class,” Stamps said. “There were multiple moments where I felt that I was sitting with an accounting firm I’d hired to deep dive into my business. These students have a bright future, and I’m honored to have been able to collaborate with them in this way.”

Stajkovic thinks small businesses are uniquely powerful learning partners because their challenges are visible, immediate and consequential. “When students work with small businesses, they see firsthand how interconnected decisions are. Small businesses — especially newer ones — are often operating with limited resources while the owner wears every hat: operations, marketing, finance, HR,” she said.

Using cost accounting as a strategic decision tool

At the start of the project, Stamps visited the class, shared her background, her vision for Edgewood Bakeshop and her belief that bread was her primary profit driver.

Bekah Stamps opened Edgewood Bakeshop's Chetek storefront in 2024, after operating as a travelling and pop-up bakery for two years. / Bekah Stamps

However, the students’ analysis proved that what looks most profitable on a simple revenue-minus-cost basis isn’t always the most profitable when constraints are considered. When they calculated contribution margin per oven minute and per labor hour, instead of just per unit, they discovered that croissants could outperform bread depending on which resource was the true bottleneck.

“That shift from ‘Which product makes more money?’ to ‘Which product makes the best use of our limited resource?’ was transformational for the students. It moved cost accounting from a formula-based approach to a strategic decision-making tool. Several students commented that this was the moment when accounting stopped feeling procedural and started feeling managerial,” Stajkovic said.

This was also a standout moment for Stamps, who had done a brief analysis of unit cost and profit margin on a couple of her products when she began. “My assumption about the bread was actually incorrect, and it caused me to think about ways to drive more sales with certain products that I wasn’t previously considering,” she said.

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‘Exactly what experiential learning is meant to do’

The Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement serves to connect organizations and entrepreneurs with �� . talent, tools and technology. Those seeking consultation and collaboration may reach out to OCREE with questions.

These collaborations distinguish �� students’ applied, experiential learning from a traditional education, as they give back to the community and fuel their careers with real-world experience before graduation.

Cost accounting students presented their findings at the end of their project. / Kayla Stajkovic

One of the most meaningful parts of this project for Stajkovic was watching students gain confidence. “Many began the semester unsure about cost accounting. By the end, they were defending recommendations to a real business owner using data they had analyzed themselves. That growth — from uncertainty to ownership — is exactly what experiential learning is meant to do,” she said.

Business administration senior Emanuel Sanchez, of St. Paul, was surprised by the confidence he gained. “This project changed how I approach business problems by shifting my focus away from finding a single ‘correct’ answer to making informed decisions with incomplete information. I strengthened my analytical skills, particularly in applying accounting tools to real-world situations and clearly explaining financial results,” he said.

Business administration junior Allison Lindner, of Stratford, thinks the project reinforced the idea that business decisions and analysis are not all about correct calculations and costs, but rather communication, informed judgment and thinking beyond the box.

“Overall, it has furthered my collaborative skills, ability to ask open-ended questions and assumptions, and understanding of the numbers in real operational challenges,” she said.

Cost accounting students enjoy treats from Edgewood Bakeshop. / Kayla Stajkovic

The students saw how messy real data can be, which is something no textbook can fully teach. “The experience changes how the students view their education. They began to understand that the numbers they learned in class can directly impact someone ��. livelihood,” Stajkovic said. “For the business, even one useful insight can be meaningful. Those partnerships may be smaller in scale, but they are incredibly high in impact — for both sides.”

For Stamps, it was a fun, informative and mutually beneficial project. “It would be interesting to revisit some of these calculations in two or three years when Edgewood Bakeshop is further established to see what ��. shifted and how the business has grown,” she said, adding that giving students interested in becoming business owners a “day in the life” might also be insightful for future business classes.

�� . School of Management offers 20 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates that build students’ leadership skills in business, hospitality and technology innovation, military science, and operations and management fields.

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Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales Edgewood Bakeshop

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Hero Caption: Edgewood Bakeshop, a popular artisanal bakeshop in downtown Chetek. Photo contributed by owner, Bekah Stamps.

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�� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Report

giffeyt — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

�� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Reportgiffeyt February 2, 2026

Annual rankings recognize bachelor ��. and master ��. programs for helping students advance education, career goals

Tom Giffey

Returning to school as an adult student balancing work, family or military responsibilities is a daunting challenge. �� . Stout Online gives students the flexibility, affordability and support necessary to succeed in the face of this challenge, and in doing so has once again been ranked among the Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Stout Online helps working professionals begin or complete their degrees or advance their career goals through more than 30 online bachelor ��. and graduate programs, as well as dozens of certificates, certifications, individual courses and development opportunities.

According to the just-released 2026 rankings from U.S. News, Stout Online offers some of the Best Online Programs in the state, region and nation. �� ranked No. 3 among all public universities in Wisconsin and Minnesota for its bachelor ��. in management and leadership and its master ��. in education and engineering programs. These programs also attained the following rankings:

Best Online Bachelor ��. in Business Programs: No. 26 in the Midwest, No. 88 nationwide.
Best Online Master ��. in Education Programs: No. 36 in the Midwest, No. 133 nationwide.
Best Online Master ��. in Engineering Programs: Top 19 in the Midwest, No. 79 nationwide.

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez

“With more than 1,300 online students, we understand that working professionals are balancing academic pursuits with many other responsibilities,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “Through flexible online offerings, we work to meet students where they are. Given �� . polytechnic mission, we facilitate relevant, career-focused education to help working professionals increase their advancement opportunities and skills.”

U.S. News evaluates online programs based on a variety of factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies. Now in its 14th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. This year ��. edition evaluated more than 1,800 online bachelor ��. and master ��. degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

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�� faculty are experienced industry experts dedicated to teaching the latest in technology and trends in their fields. Small cohorts build close communities and share a wealth of diverse perspectives to enhance each other ��. learning.

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Students in the online M.S. in manufacturing engineering program, part of �� . Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, enhance their professional skills through assignments and projects that apply to real-life industry problems. They build expertise in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management and manufacturing engineering processes. Students may also choose to earn a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate to meet the degree ��. elective requirements.

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The online M.S. in education is a 30-credit degree program built around a core of 18 teaching and applied research credits, with a selection of 12 elective credits to meet students’ career interests. While meeting those elective requirements, students may earn one of a number of professional certificates or certifications, including Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Instructional Design, Math Specialist, Reading Specialist or Teaching Adult Learners.

�� . School of Education also offers online master ��. programs in school counseling and career and technical education as well as an Ed.D. in career and technical education leadership.

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�� . online bachelor ��. in management and leadership program, offered through the School of Management, has been ranked No. 10 among the best online programs by BestAccreditedColleges.com. It offers eight concentrations to help professionals reach their career goals, including business leadership studies, community-based service management, finance and accounting, human resource management, operations management, project management, quality management, risk control and safety management, and supply chain management.

�� graduates are in demand, with 99% employed or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation, a figure that rises to 100% among graduates of the three online programs honored by U.S. News. Those who received graduate degrees from �� had an annual starting salary of $74,000. Meanwhile, the average starting salary for recipients of �� undergraduate degrees was $57,000, according to the university ��. most recent First Destination Report.

For its dedication to affordability and student outcomes, �� has earned national recognition as one of America ��. Best Colleges by Money Magazine for two years in a row.

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�� alum named CFO, dean of CTE at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

goersab — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

�� alum named CFO, dean of CTE at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Universitygoersab September 8, 2025

Smith ��. dual degrees in management, operations, in-field experience readied her for role helping students become industry ready

Abbey Goers

With more than 30 years of field experience and two degrees from ��, Zhawaanukwe Jodee Smith is leading as Chief Financial Officer and Dean of Career and Technology Education at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, located on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation and serving three additional tribal communities in north-central Wisconsin.

The university ��. mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture and history of the Ojibwe. As dean, Smith is dedicated to providing students with hands-on education to prepare them for careers in technical fields, and to build partnerships with the community and businesses to meet workforce needs.

Jodee Smith, CFO and Dean at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University / LCOOU

“I have been involved in many alternative training efforts to help individuals become industry-ready, from marketing a business to running daily operations. It is in my combined professional experience and �� education that readied me for this role,” she said.

Smith earned her dual degrees in B.S. in management and M.S. in operations and supply management from ��. She began as Dean of CTE at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University in June 2024 and as interim CFO last February, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, grant management, and more to ensure the university ��. financial health and overall success.

LCOOU, which has a student population of up to 400 per year, has developed a facility plan for the next three decades. Recently, an 82-bed dormitory was completed. Future projects include additional student and family housing, a new CTE space, and an expansion of the nursing and EMT program spaces.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to serve as interim CFO. More importantly, I’m able to use my skills to move the university forward,” Smith said.

Supporting Indigenous values and education

Smith ��. goals as dean are to support students’ Indigenous values, traditions and lifestyles while achieving their education goals and to address challenges faced by Native Americans, including mental health issues and historical trauma brought on by the Native American boarding schools.

“The history of Native American education is marked by trauma. The consequences of this traumatic experience persist today, affecting mental health, self-esteem and cultural identity,” Smith said.

From the 1860s to the 1960s, native children were forcibly removed from their families and tribal communities to attend boarding schools. These schools aimed at assimilating native students into Euro-American culture, often through harsh methods like physical punishment for speaking their native languages or practicing their spiritual beliefs, Smith said.

She noted other challenges Native Americans face in education that she hopes to address:

High dropout rates and low college enrollment: Native American students face disproportionately high dropout rates compared to other student groups. Factors contributing to this include inadequate resources, cultural disconnect and a lack of support systems. Similarly, college enrollment rates among Native American students remain lower than desired. Financial barriers, limited access to higher education institutions and cultural differences play a role in this disparity.
Cultural relevance: Native American students often lack access to culturally relevant educational materials. The curriculum may not adequately reflect their history, traditions or contemporary issues.
Representation matters: Having Native American faculty members and administrators who understand their unique experiences can positively impact students’ sense of belonging and success.
Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination: Native American students may face stereotypes, racial biases and discrimination. These negative attitudes may manifest within the campus environment or through insensitive curriculum content. Overcoming these challenges requires fostering cultural awareness and promoting inclusivity within educational institutions.

“It ��. essential to recognize and address these issues to create a more supportive and equitable educational environment for Native American students,” Smith said.

Inspiration through leadership

Smith began her undergraduate studies in engineering technology, but she needed to drop out of the program to help a family member who had stage IV kidney disease. She donated a kidney during that time, which caused a longer delay in returning to her education.

“After my family member was doing better, I decided to go back to school,” she said. “When I called �� and discussed my situation, I was told that I could switch my degree to the management program and work under the dual program to achieve my master ��..

“I felt heard and seen. I began my master ��. program while I was completing my undergrad studies. It was a huge relief and a seamless transition into my master ��. program.”

Smith was encouraged to make the call to return to school by her son, Aagimewikamig Dustin Morrow. “Dustin was instrumental in getting me to take the steps to contact and finish my degrees. Without his unwavering support, I don’t know if I would have,” she said.

She completed her capstone on the supply chain infrastructure among tribal nations. Her applied research consisted of exploring the supply chain needs among tribal nations and developing a supply chain management plan. She worked with Program Director Eli Aba, M.S. in operations and supply management, to expand her research and build supply chain operation capacities among tribal nations.

Smith is inspired by many people – her teachers, professors and friends – who have faced life challenges.

However, it is her grandparents, Henry and Agnes Smith, and her father, Don, Lac Courte Oreilles tribal members, who inspire her to continue her life's work.

Jodee Smith's grandparents, Henry and Agnes Smith, right and center, at their store in New Post / Jodee Smith

Henry and Agnes were entrepreneurs and owned a store in New Post, a community on the reservation. Henry was one of the first Tribal Chairmen for the Lac Courte Oreilles. Don served for more than 35 years as LCO health director.

“They taught me that we are made up of our mind, body, spirit and heart and must care for and grow each part to feel complete and in balance in my life and with our environment – Mother Earth and all the living beings,” Smith said.

Agnes took college courses at the age of 70. “When I asked her why, she said, ‘We should never stop learning, no matter how old we get, even if we learned everything that we were presented with to learn, that would be less than a grain of salt compared to what is out there to be learned,’” Smith said.

Prior to LCOOU, Smith was an instructor for Emergency Medical Response, First Aid, and CPR at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-Rice Lake, and worked in the field providing training to business personnel to meet their requirements.

She was a certified business plan writer for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and was the founder and co-owner of Spirit Winds Consulting LLC, a business development consulting firm that held a Minority Business Enterprise Certification through the state MBE program. With Spirit Winds, she worked with state and federal agencies to help start-up MBEs in plan development, research and development, marketing, finance opportunities, and more.

�� . M.S. operations and supply management program is offered both on campus and in a flexible online format. It is housed within the operations and management department, which also offers master ��. programs in construction management; risk control and safety management; sustainable management; and training and talent development.

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Smith ��. dual degrees in management, operations, in-field experience readied her for role helping students become industry ready Jodee Smith

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Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankings

goersab — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:59:44 +0000

Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankingsgoersab February 4, 2025

Master ��. in engineering, education; bachelor ��. in business programs recognized for helping professionals advance their career goals

Abbey Goers

The decision to return to school as an adult or working professional can come with additional considerations. They need flexible, affordable programs that fit their needs, allowing them to balance work, personal time or family life.

�� . Stout Online helps working professionals begin or complete their degree or advance their career goals through more than 30 online bachelor ��. and master ��. programs, as well as dozens of certificates, certifications, individual courses and development opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, depending on a person ��. career field, the average salary with an associate ��. degree is about $55,000, jumping to $77,000 with a bachelor ��. degree and $90,000 with a master ��. degree.

Stout Online offers some of the Best Online Programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report ��. 2025 rankings. Four of the university ��. programs were named:

Best Online Master ��. in Engineering Programs: Top 20 in the Midwest, No. 70 overall
Best Online Master ��. in Education Programs: Top 45 in the Midwest, No. 150 overall
Best Online Bachelor ��. in Business Programs: Top 15 in the Midwest, No. 87 overall

�� was ranked as No. 230 for Best Online Bachelor's Programs, with its most popular online degrees including management; business information technology; cybersecurity; digital marketing technology; human development and family studies; technology education; and hospitality, restaurant and tourism management.

In three of its four acknowledgments, �� was ranked second in Wisconsin. U.S. News surveyed more than 1,800 accredited programs nationally.

“As Wisconsin ��. ��, we have an applied learning portfolio across all modalities: online, hybrid and in-person,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.

“Our programs are responsive to workforce needs and it is important to meet students where they are. For many students, with work and/or family commitments, that means the need for a flexible and quality online educational experience. �� is committed to helping students achieve career advancement opportunities through our online offerings,” she said.

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�� faculty are experienced, industry experts dedicated to teaching the latest in technology and trends in their fields. Small cohorts build close communities and share a wealth of diverse perspectives to enhance each other ��. learning.

Students in the M.S. in manufacturing engineering, in the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, advance their skills through assignments and projects that apply to real-life industry problems. They build expertise in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management and manufacturing engineering processes. Students may also choose to earn a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate.

The median annual wage for industrial engineers in the U.S. is $99,000, with employment growth projected at 12% over the next decade.

M.S. Education

Take your career in education further and enhance your impact on students' lives.

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The M.S. in education is a 30-credit degree program built around a core of 18 teaching and applied research credits, with a selection of 12 elective credits to meet students’ career interests. Students may earn one of a dozen professional certificates or certifications, including Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Instructional Design, Math Specialist, Reading Specialist or Teaching Adult Learners.

�� . School of Education also offers master ��. programs in critically needed areas of school counseling, and school psychology, as well as career and technical education and an Ed.D. in career and technical education leadership.

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�� . online bachelor ��. in management program, offered through the School of Management, has been ranked No. 10 among the best online programs by BestAccreditedColleges.com. It offers eight concentrations to help professionals reach their career goals:

�� graduates are in demand, with 99% employed soon after earning their degree, with undergraduates receiving a record average starting salary of $58,000, the best among higher education institutions in west-central Wisconsin.

Money Magazine named �� one of two public Best Colleges in Wisconsin, as well as one of the 45 Best in the Midwest, for its focus on affordability and student outcomes.

�� is proud to be the first of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin to be certified for excellence in distance education practices. Its FOCUS2030 strategic plan includes five key goals, led by student success.

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�� professor ��. international partnerships seek to ‘reimagine a new Ukraine’ through entrepreneurship

goersab — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:00:08 +0000

�� professor ��. international partnerships seek to ‘reimagine a new Ukraine’ through entrepreneurshipgoersab August 21, 2023

Collaborative Online International Learning program connects instructors, students across nations

Abbey Goers

In the spring of 2022, amidst an invasion by Russian forces, two friends sought to bring 100 university students in Ukraine a sense of how to rebuild their nation ��. economy.

�� Associate Professor Mary Spaeth presented virtually about entrepreneurship to Professor Ihor Katernyak ��. Innovation Spring of Ukraine class at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Their students have presented business pitches to each other virtually, and discussed and shared feedback.

Now, for the last 18 months, as the war in Ukraine continues, their friendship has grown stronger. And what Katernyak thought would be a stand-alone course based on hopes that the attacks on his country would be short-lived, has turned into a Collaborative Online International Learning program, or COIL, a concept originally pioneered by the SUNY COIL Center in the early 2000s.

Professor Josep Blásquez of Universitat Oberta de Catalunya,; Professor Mary Spaeth of ��; and Professor Ihor Katernyak of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv / Mary Spaeth

Spaeth and Katernyak met in the 1990s when he visited the U.S. They share an enthusiasm for economic development and entrepreneurship.

“We have always engaged in projects together, but it sadly has taken a crisis to move us into a level of productivity neither of us thought possible,” Spaeth said.

“We are two old friends who reunited during war to fight for entrepreneurship and freedom. Despite the destruction and death caused by rockets falling on one of them and their neighbors, the other friend asked, ‘How can I help?’ This exemplifies true human connection, where we can share a part of our lives with others,” Katernyak said.

Strengthening partnerships through COIL

�� . COIL program is currently being developed by Sylvia Tiala, director of the Nakatani Teaching and Learning Center; and Scott Pierson, director of the Office of International Education. They are working with a committee to develop a common framework for the program.

“COIL formalizes the sharing of knowledge across borders and creates greater intentionality by building exchange ‘moments’ into courses as lectures, student projects, modules and more. Quite a bit of planning goes into formalizing the program, but we remain open to serendipity and opportunity, especially within the entrepreneurship courses which rely on pivoting for innovation through problem-solving and customer discovery,” Spaeth said.

The Innovation Spring course was designed to inspire students and researchers in engineering, life and computer sciences, and economics to generate ideas for startup businesses and learn to manage businesses.

Professor speaks to Ukrainian students about entrepreneurship as war rages

Despite the ongoing military invasion by Russia that has turned their country and their lives upside down, 100 Ukrainian students are thinking about the future.

Katernyak also has spoken virtually at �� . Ideation Jam, where students generate business ideas, and receive pitch training and feedback from mentors. Katernyak emphasized to students that, “Entrepreneurship is freedom.”

Thus far, Spaeth and Katernyak have influenced about 25 students at �� and about 200 students in Ukraine. �� has majors in business administration; arts administration and entrepreneurship; and management; and minors in business administration and entrepreneurship and innovation.

“When Stout instructors participate in COIL, the entire class benefits,” Pierson said. “COIL exchanges increase cultural awareness of students and instructors. Additionally, they better prepare students for study abroad experiences by giving them a sampling of international learning without additional fees.”

“Students learn via deeper dives into topics to gain new perspectives, and partnerships among instructors can lead to research and writing collaborations,” Spaeth added.

Creating student relationships to innovate solutions

In June, Spaeth and Katernyak were invited by Professor Josep Prieto Blásquez to Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, in Barcelona, Spain, to record a conversation about international educational collaboration in teaching entrepreneurship and inspiring innovation across disciplines.

Professors Mary Spaeth and Ihor Katernyak speak at the recorded conversation in June, at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya / Mary Spaeth

They were joined by Professor Viktoria Loboda, of the social pedagogy and social work department at Ivan Franko; and Thomas Karlsson, CEO of Sormland Investment Fund of Sweden to discuss the topic Innovation Spring as a Time for Startup Blooming.

The conversation will be shared with other faculty and select students as the foundation for entrepreneurial course collaboration.

“Our mission is to build a network of committed individuals in academia and investment and to create relationships among entrepreneurship students to solve problems and innovate solutions for the rebuilding of Ukraine,” Spaeth said. “The class visits, pitch presentations and sharing of ideas between Ukraine, the U.S. and Sweden is expanding to generate more innovation to catalyze peace and prosperity.”

During the Innovation Spring 2023 forum, student teams presented their projects in English to an international jury. Their startup ideas would impact Ivan Franko University, communities of Lviv and Ukraine, or specific consumers, while others work to solve global problems. Their ideas include:

Apps that connect citizens to city departments or that empower people through food accessibility and sustainability
Databases that help citizens find charitable organizations and community resources
Mobile temporary housing for disadvantaged peoples
Custom-made clothing made from upcycled clothing and fabrics
The preservation of the university through digital artifacts
Game development.

An NFT-style Ivan Franko University lion, designed and presented by students in Professor Katernyak ��. Innovation Spring class / Mary Spaeth

Spaeth's appointment to chair of the business department this fall has also provided a COIL opportunity for Katernyak to act as a consultant and virtual visiting professor for �� . Entrepreneurship Capstone, where teams innovate and create startups.

Katernyak will share his recently published book “Innovation Spring in Tech Startups” with students in the course. Spaeth will guide students through thesis writing, while Katernyak brings his experience, knowledge and perspectives on innovation, entrepreneurship and the imagining of startups.

“This will be deep-COIL,” Spaeth said. “The expanded collaboration will allow for many of Katernyak's students in Ukraine to interact with our students as we continue to build our partnership.”

�� partners with more than 20 international universities that either have or are developing similar COIL opportunities. Once the framework has been decided, OIE and Learning and Information Technology will help facilitate training and matchmaking with partnering institutions.

“The potential reach and impact for COIL at Stout is tremendous,” Pierson said. “Ideally, all courses should include a global perspective, and any instructor at Stout could engage.

“Many instructors, like Mary, are already engaging in international learning and virtual exchange, and we are hopeful that more will utilize the commonly accepted COIL framework so that we can further increase the internationalization of the Stout curriculum,” he added.

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Collaborative Online International Learning program connects instructors, students across nations Professors Josep Blasquez, Mary Spaeth, and Ihor Katernyak

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Alum Jacobson, a Kraus-Anderson construction executive, returning to speak on leadership

polingj — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:00:26 +0000

Alum Jacobson, a Kraus-Anderson construction executive, returning to speak on leadershippolingj March 22, 2023

Executive VP/COO to present March 28 as part of Cabot Executive in Residence program

A University of Wisconsin-Stout alum who is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson, one of the Midwest ��. largest construction companies, is returning to campus to speak on leadership.

Rich Jacobson, a 1989 graduate in industrial technology with a concentration in construction, has been chosen as the 2023 Cabot Executive in Residence. He will present “Leading by Example,” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

�� alum Rich Jacobson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson, will speak March 28 on campus as the Cabot Executive in Residence. / Kraus-Anderson photo

Jacobson will discuss his career journey as it relates to Kraus-Anderson ��. core philosophy of building enduring relationships and strong communities. He oversees day-to-day operations for the company, based in Minneapolis, which manages more than $1 billion in projects annually from coast to coast.

After graduating from �� and working in the engineering department of Hyatt Hotels, Jacobson joined Kraus-Anderson as a project manager in 1992. He managed major construction projects in every industry sector, including education, health care, retail, industrial, hospitality and recreational.

Kraus-Anderson was founded in 1897.

As part of the residency, Jacobson will meet with students from various academic programs, as well as faculty and staff.

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In �� . new First Destination report, recent graduates from the accredited Bachelor of Science in construction program reported 100% employment within six months of earning their degree and an average starting salary of $61,000.

The program is part of �� . School of Management and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management.

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This is the 37th year of the Cabot Executive in Residence program, which is named in honor of Arthur R. Cabot, a successful pet products manufacturer. His son, Scott Cabot, earned a bachelor ��. degree from �� in 1978 and a master ��. in 1979.

Recent Cabot executives have included alumni Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries; Stephen Marcus, chairman of Marcus Corp.; and alumna Shelly Ibach, CEO of Sleep Number.

A Cabot Wall of Honor, featuring plaques of previous Cabot presenters, was established in 2014 in Jarvis Hall.

The event is being coordinated by �� Continuing Education and Conferences.

###

A �� alum who is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson, is returning to campus to speak on leadership. �� alum Rich Jacobson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson, will speak March 28 on campus as the Cabot Executive in Residence.

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Hero Caption: Alum Scott Cabot, sponsor of the Cabot Executive in Residence program, speaks in front of the Cabot Wall of Honor recognizing previous honorees.

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Ten students immersed in Costa Rican culture via international business study abroad course

goersab — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:38:10 +0000

Ten students immersed in Costa Rican culture via international business study abroad coursegoersab February 13, 2023

Hands-on, polytechnic experiences bring group closer to heritage of Latin America

Abbey Goers

From biomedical facilities to a sustainable dairy farm, from coffee producers to climbing mountains, 10 �� students were immersed in Costa Rican culture on an 11-day study abroad experience in January.

As part of Exploring International Business in Latin America, a heritage-based, faculty-led program organized by �� . Office of International Education, the group toured a diverse range of businesses centered around the capital city of San Jose, including Smith + Nephew, a British-owned medical device supplier; Sarchi, a famous artisan town; Café Britt, a gourmet coffee roaster and chocolate producer; a tree plantation; and a community water cooperative.

The students also explored cultural and environmental sites, like the Santa Ana community-based agricultural market and the Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest; shared time at the beach; attended a salsa dance class; and enjoyed a cooking class.

The group planting perennials at the Carrizal Tree Plantation. / Glendali Rodriguez

Instructional leaders were Dr. Glenn Rodríguez and �� Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, a father-daughter team whom the group came to know as “Dr. G” and Glendalí (Glenda-lee).

“The experiences ran quite the gamut. The variety of visits complemented themselves,” said Dr. G, a retired dean of McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., where he taught international business until 2012. Dr. G, of Louisville, Ky., was also the international operations director for Latin America and the Caribbean for Papa John ��. Pizza, helping the franchise to launch its first 82 locations in six Latin American countries.

Students in the course were:

Amanda Carey, first year in management, Almond
Brittney Dehnke, senior in business administration, Eau Claire
Sarah Durst, junior in hotel, restaurant and tourism management, Menomonie
Lauren Ek, junior in business administration, Saint Michael, Minn.
Brian Holcomb, junior in supply chain management, Chanhassen, Minn.
Orianna Horel-Borrero, sophomore in business administration, Elk Mound
Jaice Jahnke, junior in business administration, Greenville
Eduardo Placencia, first year in business administration, Minneapolis
Andrew Probelski, junior in information and communication technologies, Minneapolis
Kailey Swarts, junior in business administration, Mantorville, Minn.

Dr. Glenn Rodriguez and Provost Glendali Rodriguez / Glendali Rodriguez

“An objective of the course was to teach students how business in Latin America varies because of the culture and political nature of these countries,” Dr. G said. “We engaged on these topics with speakers explaining the history of Costa Rica and its political situations and economic focus. Labor laws are different in Latin America versus in the United States. For instance, there are no unions, but rather labor-business cooperatives, and there is a 48-hour work week.”

“There is a business professionalism in everything across the country, and you can’t really understand the difference in how Latin American businesses run until you’re there,” Glendalí added.

“The locals were all very welcoming to us and shared a wide range of business practices, missions, and visions, helping the students as they chart their career paths. Watching those ‘ah-ha moments’ as they think about their future careers is spectacular.”

Immersion in Latin American business and culture

Beginning with Smith + Nephew, the group experienced a “clean facility” – where sterile conditions are required to produce medical technologies – during a tour by the plant manager and a laborer. “The benefits available and friendliness of the environment make it a pleasant place to work. The warm Latino culture came through,” Dr. G said.

Touring Smith + Nephew, a medical device supplier and 'clean facility' / Glendali Rodriguez

At Café Britt, Horel-Borrero ��. favorite business visit, the group met with the CEO. “It is very rare for the CEO of an international organization to take the time to talk to 10 college students. It was special to get the insights of growing a local business to an international brand,” Dr. G added.

“Our visit to Café Britt was fun. It has a homey environment. The employees were very kind and told us lots of information,” Horel-Borrero said.

Probelski ��. favorite trip was to a sustainable dairy farm owned by a Dos Pinos co-op member. “Following sustainable farming best practices, the owner has transformed his land from brown and desolate to green and thriving, without the use of pesticides and other chemicals,” he said.

Touring a sustainable dairy farm owned by a Dos Pinos co-op member / Glendali Rodriguez

The group continued to learn about sustainable practices in Carrizal, a remote community with a natural spring water source. Community members pay to be part of the Carrizal Aqueduct Administrative Association, a local water cooperative. Water is considered a natural human resource in Costa Rica, and citizens are not charged for it, Glendalí explained.

They also volunteered at the Carrizal Tree Plantation, planting perennial flowers for butterflies and other pollinators in an effort to reforest land that was once a coffee plantation. “Costa Rica has a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050,” Glendalí said.

The Santa Ana Farmer's Market was Horel-Borrero ��. and Probelski ��. favorite cultural experience. In addition to having fresh foods, the market included social activities for people of all ages. “The streets were alive – ‘Calles Vivas.’ We danced, tried new fruits and juices, watched a soccer game and got to learn all about their process in building the community of Santa Ana,” Horel-Borrero said. “Making experiences more personal makes a big difference to me.”

Amanda Carey, Kailey Swarts and Lauren Ek at Santa Ana Farmers Market / Glendali Rodriguez

“There were so many beautiful, hand-made crafts,” Probelski added. “Some things could be haggled for. My lack of fluent Spanish was a barrier, but by the end of the trip my skills and comfort conversing in a limited way surprisingly improved just by being around it all day, every day.”

Practicing the polytechnic advantage abroad

�� . Office of International Education coordinates study abroad programming with Academic Programs International, which has on more than one occasion complimented OIE and �� students. “Our group was unique in a positive way,” Glendalí said. “We got our hands dirty, tried new foods, interacted with the community. We’re very engaged because we are a polytechnic. We’re ready to make the most of every learning experience – and API recognizes that in our students.”

Brittney Dehnke, Orianna Horel-Borrero and Kailey Swarts at the Carrizal Tree Plantation / Glendali Rodriguez

Horel-Borrero and Durst, who are minoring in Spanish, had opportunities to speak Spanish every day, furthering their polytechnic experience while abroad. They even acted as translators for their classmates at a McDonald's. “This really put my direct interpretation skills to the test, something that written classroom tests couldn't do,” Durst said.

Durst chose Spanish as a minor because, after English, it is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the hospitality industry. “It's especially important to me because I want to work at Walt Disney World in Florida, where there are a lot of people whose first language is Spanish. It certainly helped me a lot when I worked there last summer,” she said.

“The big thing is just putting into practice what you know in your daily actions,” Horel-Borrero added. “The best way to learn another language is to completely immerse yourself in it. Practice makes perfect. You need to practice when you have the opportunity at your fingertips.”

This was Dr. G ��. first time working with �� students. “The group gelled,” he said. “To bring 10 strangers together with instructors they’ve never met before and build community, it was beautiful.”

Foundation scholarship and federal grant make travel possible

�� . OIE received a $35,000 IDEAS grant from the U.S. Department of State ��. Capacity Building Program for U.S. Study Abroad for the Heritage-Based Faculty-Led study abroad programs. Additional funding from the Stout University Foundation supplemented student scholarships.

“Our heritage-based programming was intentionally designed to create a platform for engagement in a high impact experience that leads to increased retention, better academic performance and increased global competence,” said Scott Pierson, OIE director.

“With only 11% of U.S. undergraduate students participating in study abroad, and disproportionately lower underrepresented participation, the United States has much work to do to provide access and equity. This program, through a partnership with API and IDEAS, has helped us to make an immediate impact in advancement of these efforts,” he added.

Andrew Probelski and Eduardo Placencia at the Carrizal Aqueduct / Glendali Rodriguez

One of the initial concepts behind the program was to have faculty and staff representation from the Latino culture, Glendalí explained. “This was fundamental to the students’ learning, to have personal connections to the culture within the Stout group. As a Latina, I was interested in helping implement the course, and Dr. G worked with the business department to join me,” she said.

“Leading the group together was a really special experience for Dr. G and me,” Glendalí said. “We’ve traveled together before to Puerto Rico, where we have family. But this was our first time traveling together professionally. It was a great partnership.”

Horel-Borrero, Placencia and Probelski received a heritage-based scholarship toward the trip and said that without it they would not have been able to afford the experience. They recommend study abroad to all students “so they are aware of how different we are from the rest of the world,” said Horel-Borrero.

As an adult learner returning to school to finish his degree, Probelski thought he would never have an opportunity to study abroad.

“Study abroad will broaden your cultural aperture, shatter expectations and stereotypes, and give you life-changing new perspectives on how others live. Ideally, you will come away from your study abroad experience a better person – I did,” he said. “I am beyond grateful to ��, Academic Programs International and everyone that made this a reality for me.”

The next program in the three-part series is planned for Thailand in WinTerm 2024, which will focus on Hmong culture and identity. In WinTerm 2025, a program is being planned in Africa, likely in Ghana.

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Hands-on, polytechnic experiences bring group closer to heritage of Latin America Planting perennials at the Carrizal Tree Plantation

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Inspiring Graduate: Ben Larson, B.S. Supply Chain Management

goersab — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:07:20 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Ben Larson, B.S. Supply Chain Managementgoersab January 23, 2023

'The polytechnic experience aided my learning more than anything.'

Inspiring Graduate: Ben Larson (’22)

Hometown: Menomonie
Degree: B.S. Supply Chain Management

Ben Larson / ��

Through two internships obtained during �� . Career Fair – one as a distribution supervisor with Menards and another as a supply chain intern with Andersen Corp. – Ben Larson added to his hands-on experience.

“My internships taught me a lot about the workplace and applications I learned about in the program. Having these opportunities taught me areas that I enjoyed in work, as well as areas that I did not enjoy. This narrowed down my job selection process,” he said.

Larson accepted a full-time position as a supply chain analyst with Andersen in Menomonie, before graduating on Dec. 17, when he earned his bachelor ��. in supply chain management.

How has your Stout education and experience changed you?

Stout exposed me to courses that helped me decide to change my career path as a whole from business administration to supply chain.

The polytechnic experience aided my learning more than anything in my supply chain degree, a degree I was previously unfamiliar with.

My mandatory internships helped me harness soft skills I would not have likely learned in the classroom, all while supervising workers and learning analytic applications for production facilities.

Ben Larson celebrates at commencement. / ��

What stands out about your Stout experience?

Supply chain ��. Design 1 and Design 2 courses were very beneficial in teaching me about the many areas of a business, as well as how decisions made in one area can impact others.

These courses also taught me about myself, how I react to challenges, how to hold myself and teammates accountable and use time management. I have applied some of these personal lessons to my everyday life.

Gene Gutman created and taught the four most impactful courses I had at the university, in a hands-on style. He gave us real world networking opportunities to give progress reports and gain feedback. He expected and brought out only the best in each of his students, which prepared us for the many different challenges that we’ll face in a problem-solving and analytic field. These expectations and opportunities contributed to my professional personality immensely.

How did your involvement at Stout impact your experience?

I was an officer in the Stout Ambassadors program, which gives students opportunities to engage with alumni, industry partners, campus and community stakeholders.

I also served as an officer in two professional student organizations. APICS is the nation ��. leading professional association for supply chain and operations management; and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals is the worldwide professional association dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of research and knowledge on supply chain management.

These three organizations gave me many networking opportunities, as well as connections to campus.

How did you overcome the challenges you faced in earning your degree?

Switching to an online education format during COVID was a difficult transition. But I am much more efficient and comfortable on the computer now in many different programs that I may not have been exposed to otherwise.

My capstone course and other rigorous courses helped me improve my time management and prioritization skills immensely.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I’m most proud of the ability to look back and see all the work I accomplished, the maturity I gained as a professional and the many friendships I made.

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Inspiring Graduate: Willa Rodencal, B.S. Retail & Merchandising Management

goersab — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:06:54 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Willa Rodencal, B.S. Retail & Merchandising Managementgoersab January 17, 2023

'The polytechnic environment is one that we are taught in from day one.'

Inspiring Graduate: Willa Rodencal (’22)

Hometown: Waukesha
Degree: B.S. Retail Merchandising and Management
Concentration: fashion marketing
Minors: business administration; digital marketing; and sales and marketing

Willa Rodencal will soon start her career as a merchandiser for Gap Inc. in San Francisco and will enter the Rotational Management Program for nine months, to get a deeper understanding of the retail industry. After completing the RMP program, she will be an assistant merchant with Gap Inc.

Rodencal earned her bachelor ��. in retail merchandising and management, having graduated with honors from �� on Dec. 17, when she served as commencement speaker to her fellow Blue Devil graduates.

Choosing which university to attend was a decision Rodencal didn’t take lightly. “I needed somewhere that would support my value of education as much as I do. I wanted a college that would fit my learning needs,” she said.

Rodencal grew up in a nontraditional learning environment, from home schooling with her mother and older sister to teaching herself in free online classes. At 16, she enrolled in Waukesha County Technical College, taking prerequisite general education courses to prepare for a classroom setting.

“What originally attracted me to �� was the polytechnic experience. The intimate class sizes and hands-on educational experience drew me to this university and helped me succeed here as a student,” she said.

Willa Rodencal speaks at the undergraduate commencement ceremony on Dec. 17. / ��

How has Stout prepared you to work in your field?

As most young people enter their chosen career field, we experience anxiety and imposter syndrome. I remember starting my internship at Gap feeling like I was unqualified for the job I was hired for and worried I would not succeed.

I am glad to say that I was wrong to have those anxieties and that I was more prepared for this job than I ever expected to be. Classes such as Trend Tracking and Forecasting; Information and Communication Technologies; and Finite and Financial Mathematics with Applications were the most beneficial courses in preparing me for my field of work.

What does Stout ��. polytechnic spirit mean to you?

�� . polytechnic spirit shines through the campus, the professors and the students. My dedication and determination, as well as that of the faculty and staff, have inspired me to exceed even my wildest dreams.

Most would say that polytechnic education only is related to class sizes, hands-on labs and encouraged group work. But the polytechnic experience is so much more than that.

The polytechnic environment is one that we are taught in from day one, and it is alive in the way that students feel encouraged to help each other during classes or offer to tutor peers outside of class.

You can make a friend just walking down the street or with the person sitting next to you at a football game. We are encouraged to get to know one another and lean on each other for help, and it shines through not only in our academics but in any Stout student's personal life and experiences.

Previous to Stout, I was worried I would not be prepared or able to succeed in a career. I was worried that I did not have what it would take to achieve greatness. Instead, I can leave confident in my abilities and prepared to face the world ahead. I have made lifelong friends who have inspired me to push myself and be the best person I possibly can be.

I would not be who I am today had it not been for attending ��.

How did your involvement at Stout impact your experience?

At the end of my first year at ��, I was recommended by my English professor to join the Stout Ambassador Program. I worked as a student representative with the Alumni Association, in collaboration with the chancellor's office, to bring positive change to the Stout campus as well as, raise money for scholarships and future campus improvements.

I am most proud of working as a Stout Ambassador and starting the Stout Impact Project, which entailed the creation and design of a wearable product, as well as the marketing and selling of the product to raise funds for the Student Emergency Fund. Our first year, we were able to raise more than $3,300, granting scholarships for students with extenuating circumstances. I am incredibly proud to help raise money for the students at this school, because no one should have to choose between paying for an extenuating circumstance and their educational experience.

Willa Rodencal at commencement. / ��

How did you overcome the challenges you faced in earning your degree?

During COVID, the retail field was not considered to have essential workers within corporate offices so most internships and co-op opportunities were canceled or no longer available. It was extremely difficult to acquire an internship during this time. I had applied to more than 40 internship positions and was only granted one interview opportunity with Gap.

I managed to move on to several more rounds of interviews and made it to the final round, in which I was unfortunately denied an internship. I was utterly crushed by this decision and felt that I would not be able to graduate if I was not able to get an internship. I continued applying, reaching out to advisers and HR for retail companies, with no success.

Five months after being denied my dream internship with Gap, they reached back out to me saying that a slot had unexpectedly opened, and they wanted me to do two 45-minute interviews with the heads of their merchandising department. I held mock interviews with friends and faculty, all while updating my resume and preparing with Career Services.

I was offered a paid internship with Gap in San Francisco. Looking back, I am very grateful for the life lessons that this scenario prepared me for.

This opportunity taught me a lot about perseverance and utilizing the support that surrounds you in life.

What message would you like to share with your classmates?

During our education here at ��, we experienced an extraordinary amount of turbulence that turned our lives upside down. But we as Stout students persevered and came out the other side stronger.

We came to this university unsure of what our futures would hold, but we leave prepared, educated, and inspired to face the world and start our careers. I am so proud to graduate with this class of extraordinary students who have overcome challenges against all odds.

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Alum Suzanne Wittman believes in building an empowering legacy

goersab — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:17:27 +0000

Alum Suzanne Wittman believes in building an empowering legacygoersab January 11, 2023

She was recently named one of Wisconsin ��. Most Influential Asian American Leaders

Abbey Goers

Suzanne Wittman believes that building relationships is the foundation for building a community. As the executive director of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, covering Shawano and Menominee counties in eastern Wisconsin, she is helping to highlight the area ��. natural resources, its people and to create a better quality of life.

Suzanne Wittman / Suzanne Wittman

Wittman, a �� retail merchandising and management alum, recently was named one of Wisconsin ��. 34 Most Influential Asian American Leaders by Madison 365, a nonprofit online news outlet that covers communities of color and issues important to those communities.

She was recognized for her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, while working with Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee areas, and for aiming to empower women ��. voices – especially women of color.

“It ��. humbling to be recognized, but more importantly it was an opportunity to highlight the work I was doing at the time. Bringing to light the needs of marginalized people is a great undertaking,” said Wittman, the former Women's Empowerment Center director of the YWCA Greater Green Bay.

She remembers wanting to empower women ��. voices after reading a book about how women don’t apply for jobs that they don’t feel 100% qualified for, how they rarely ask for raises and miss promotional opportunities.

“I found that absurd. I refused to fall under that stereotype and knew that if I didn’t raise my own voice, no one would do it for me,” she said. “Yet when you look for Asian representation in respect to leadership, you’ll see that it ��. not as strong as it could be.

“I hope to help pave the way for other Asian and Asian-American women to seek out positions in leadership and utilize their diverse experience and skills to better the businesses and organizations they serve.”

Wittman feels that it ��. incumbent on her to be a role model to her three children. / Suzanne Wittman

Wittman ��. parents were born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada, where they met. Wittman was born in Montreal, Quebec, and with the exception of living in Buenos Aires for two years as a child, spent most of her life in Canada. She never witnessed racism until she moved to the United States.

“Unfortunately, it was here in the U.S. where I felt that seismic shift, whether I was overlooked or intimidated because of the color of my skin. And I’m saddened that my three children have had to feel the effects of this as well, as mixed-race individuals,” she said.

But as a mother of three children, Wittman feels that it ��. incumbent on her to be a role model, especially to her two daughters.

“What greater legacy could I leave than to have raised two independently strong, well-versed and insightful young women? They are now my cheerleaders, and no mom could ask for anything more,” she said. “Maybe my role on this earth is to show resilience. Maybe it ��. to just be authentically human and caring. I’m still figuring it out but certainly embracing the challenges and the connections I’ve made along the way.”

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B.S. Management & Leadership

M.S. Operations & Supply Management

Stout Online programs ranked among Best Online by U.S. News & World Report rankings

M.S. Manufacturing Engineering Online

Stout Online: designed with working professionals in mind

M.S. Education

B.S. Management & Leadership

Stout Online

�������� professor ��������. international partnerships seek to ‘reimagine a new Ukraine’ through entrepreneurship

Strengthening partnerships through COIL

Professor speaks to Ukrainian students about entrepreneurship as war rages

Creating student relationships to innovate solutions

B.S. Business Administration

Alum Jacobson, a Kraus-Anderson construction executive, returning to speak on leadership

B.S. Construction Management

Assistant Professor Afifi awarded $50,000 Ignite Grant to improve sustainability in construction

Ten students immersed in Costa Rican culture via international business study abroad course

Immersion in Latin American business and culture

Practicing the polytechnic advantage abroad

Foundation scholarship and federal grant make travel possible

Study Abroad

Inspiring Graduate: Ben Larson, B.S. Supply Chain Management

B.S. Supply Chain Management

‘Stout Proud’ day: Commencement celebrates dedication, courage, success by 594 graduates

Inspiring Graduate: Willa Rodencal, B.S. Retail & Merchandising Management

B.S. Fashion Design & Development

‘Stout Proud’ day: Commencement celebrates dedication, courage, success by 594 graduates

Ambassadors supporting Student Emergency Fund with Impact Project

Alum Suzanne Wittman believes in building an empowering legacy

B.S. Fashion Design & Development

�� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Report

�� alum named CFO, dean of CTE at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

�� professor ��. international partnerships seek to ‘reimagine a new Ukraine’ through entrepreneurship