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Supporting entrepreneurs: One Drop Refillery benefits from new website built by business, digital technology students

goersab — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:35:55 +0000

Supporting entrepreneurs: One Drop Refillery benefits from new website built by business, digital technology studentsgoersab October 19, 2026

Hudson small business collaborates with capstone class to reach sustainably-minded shoppers

Abbey Goers

A refillery is a relatively new business concept, where customers can bring their reusable containers to refill with essential oils, cleaning supplies, personal care items, or dry goods instead of buying new packaged items. The goal is to live more sustainably and reduce single-use plastics.

As the owner of a new small business, Hudson-based One Drop Refillery, Jennifer Fravel needed to clearly communicate what a refillery is, answer common questions, educate customers about sustainable and healthier living, and make it easy for people to explore products, classes, and ways to shop while continuing to build her new brand.

But before opening her two storefronts – on Sommers Street in North Hudson and on Second Street in downtown Hudson – Fravel needed a website. With the help of a team of business information technology and digital marketing technology capstone students from �� Polytechnic, she was prepared to launch One Drop.

Jennifer Fravel collaborated with BIT and DMT capstone students on One Drop Refillery's new website. / Jennifer Fravel

“The capstone students took my vision and turned it into a website that was both functional and reflective of the One Drop brand. Most importantly for me, I wanted the website to feel welcoming and approachable — not overwhelming — for someone who may be completely new to the refill concept,” Fravel said.

Since opening its doors six months ago, One Drop Refillery customers have refilled 1,270 bottles and counting. Every refill is one less bottle bound for the landfill, and a small step toward a more intentional way of living.

Its website has had more than 2,000 visits from more than 1,200 people, said BIT capstone student Kolton Dupey, director of technology and marketing at Bernicke Wealth Management in Eau Claire.

“More than 80% of visits come from Wisconsin and Minnesota, so the site is reaching the local shoppers it was built for,” Dupey said. “Over the last 30 days, 14% of visitors were returning, higher than nearly 80% of comparable home goods sites. Now that Jenny has real customer data, she can actually see how people are shopping with her and keep refining the site.”

Capstone team members also included Brock Dudley, project manager; Kaylee Sweisford, design and user experience lead; and Molly LaVick, documentation and quality assurance. Dupey served as the team ��. technical lead.

Capturing One Drop ��. current vision and future plans

The capstone team members looked at Fravel ��. business from the perspective of someone who wasn’t familiar with a refillery. They asked questions, researched the industry and audience, and helped identify what information a potential customer would need to understand what One Drop offers.

“That outside perspective was incredibly valuable because, as the owner, I can sometimes assume people understand the concept as well as I do. The students helped me step back and look at my business through the eyes of the customer,” Fravel said.

One Drop Refillery helps people live more sustainably and reduce single-use plastics. / Jennifer Fravel

The students researched Hudson ��. demographics, household income, and the products that sustainability-minded shoppers buy, and used that to build three buyer personas: a busy parent focused on safe products for their family, a wellness shopper who cares about ingredients, and a minimalist who wants zero waste without the hassle.

When the capstone team began their research, One Drop hadn’t opened yet, so there was no sales data or customer list to work from. “We had to build everything around who we expected would shop there. A lot of new businesses skip the step of asking who would actually buy from them, but it shapes everything from the wording on the homepage to how the products are organized. The personas gave us room to be creative with the design,” Dupey said.

Within the website, they built a personality-based product finder, which helps visitors find products that fit their lifestyles based on three quick questions. The website also needed to work well on a phone, as more than 70% of visits to One Drop ��. site come from mobile devices, and it needed to function alongside the business ��. point-of-sale system.

“We chose Wix because it ��. easy to use, could handle both Jenny ��. current vision and her future plans, and would let her update the site herself without needing a developer for every change. Once Jenny approved our initial mockup, I took over client communication, design, and the build, and refined the site through rounds of her feedback and user testing,” Dupey said.

As One Drop Refillery continues to grow, Fravel sees opportunities around marketing, social media, customer research, branding, sustainability education and developing new ways to reach the community. She hopes collaborative opportunities continue, as they create a meaningful connection between students, local businesses and the community.

“I think there are so many opportunities for a business like mine to benefit from both the creativity, fresh perspective and expertise that Stout students can bring to a project like this,” she said. “As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats. Having a team of students bring their time, creativity, research and fresh perspective to something as important as a website was a tremendous gift. It was also rewarding to watch the students take a real-world business challenge and turn it into an experience where they could apply what they’ve learned.”

Capstone project leads Dupey to launch new business

Dupey had built a few websites on his own before, but One Drop was the first time he’d worked with a real business owner on something that mattered to her.

Since opening its doors six months ago, One Drop Refillery customers have refilled 1,270 bottles and counting. / Jennifer Fravel

“You’re dealing with real feedback, real deadlines and a business counting on the site to work. A website has to be creative enough to catch someone ��. eye, but it also has to make them want to do something. A good-looking site that doesn’t lead anywhere isn’t doing its job. Visitors should be able to tell within a few seconds what the business does and what their next step is, whether that ��. visiting the store, becoming a member or finding a product,” he said.

When the capstone was completed, Fravel asked Dupey to keep helping with the website, which led him to officially start his own business, Dupey Consulting. Since then, he ��. worked on projects for a flooring company and a wedding and decor rental business, and built a software as a service (SaaS) app and a customer relationship management (CRM) system for freelancers.

“I come from a family of small business owners, so I enjoy helping local businesses grow. I’m thankful Jenny gave me the opportunity, and to my teammates for helping get the project off the ground,” he said.

Dupey plans to graduate in 2027. After graduation, he plans to stay in his role at Bernicke Wealth Management and keep growing Dupey Consulting. “I chose BIT because it fit my schedule, came from an accredited university, and lined up with the work I already do every day,” he said. “One thing I’ve noticed is that almost everyone in the program is working full-time while going to school, which says a lot about the people in it and makes the class discussions more grounded in real experience.”

Working with clients in business and industry is part of the applied learning experience at �� Polytechnic, preparing students from Day One to enter the workforce. The university ��. First Destination report shows that 100% of recent BIT and DMT graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, and have average starting salaries of $65,000 and $51,000, respectively.

�� Polytechnic ��. 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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Hudson small business collaborates with capstone class to reach sustainably-minded shoppers One Drop Refillery BIT capstone project. Photo by Jennifer Fravel.

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Hero Caption: One Drop Refillery, owned by Jennifer Fravel, now has two locations in Hudson.

Christie Pitzer

I love bringing real into the classroom through industry projects, industry experts and real world business problem solving!

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Graphic design, interactive media senior awarded national AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarship

goersab — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:11:38 +0000

Graphic design, interactive media senior awarded national AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarshipgoersab October 12, 2026

Mireles-Melgarejo ��. designs inspired by effects of agricultural industry on immigrant workers, Mexican beverage tradition

Abbey Goers

Communication design connects people to ideas or products through the power of storytelling, offering an entire experience in just a few short words or images. It is more than an advertisement. It is meant to cause people to pause and consider what they are seeing, with the aim of informing, inspiring, or stirring an emotional or behavioral response.

�� Polytechnic graphic design and interactive media senior Sam Mireles-Melgarejo was recently awarded a national AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarship for her communication designs: a three-part poster series advocating for immigration reform on behalf of farmworkers and bilingual packaging inspired by Pajarete, a Mexican beverage tradition.

“I was honored to receive this scholarship, which will allow me the time to be more involved in important conversations surrounding social justice, representation, and design, while worrying less about the cost of college experiences,” said Mireles-Melgarejo, who has minors in graphic media and print management and Spanish.

GDIM senior Sam Mireles-Melgarejo was awarded a national AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarship.

Nine award winners and five honorable mentions were selected from 204 applications. Among the winners were students from large art institutions, including Savannah College of Art and Design, Columbia University and Otis College of Art and Design.

“While our program is well known in the region, Sam ��. scholarship award proves that �� Polytechnic students produce work on par with the best in the country. Our graphic design and interactive media students embody the polytechnic experience by applying their skills across multiple media and collaborating with adjacent disciplines. Sam ��. projects and portfolio are great examples of the high-quality work coming from the Midwest,” said GDIM Program Director Katie Lupton.

AIGA, the professional association of design, together with DxD (Diversify by Design), are in the 31st year of the scholarship program, which encourages social and environmental responsibility and cultural awareness in the next generation of artists and designers.

Poster series strives to start productive conversations

Growing up in Abbotsford, in rural Wisconsin, Mireles-Melgarejo saw firsthand the effects of the agricultural industry on immigrant workers, who make up a large percentage of the industry but without the same rights as American-born farmers.

Mireles-Melgarejo ��. poster series depicts the harms and dangers that immigrant farmworkers face, despite being an essential part of the workforce, and is meant to advocate for social dialogue and productive conversations.

The series' red poster states, “They take the heat so you can eat.”

“Although this is a very complex issue, starting with acknowledging what these workers do for the food supply merits more than working in exploitative conditions without proper protections, both on a greater social scale and in the farm environment,” Mireles-Melgarejo said. “When viewing these posters, I’d like people to take a step back and take in the bigger picture. We are all people working together to keep our systems running, but I’d like to invite people to draw back the curtain behind why it is important to take care of those who put food on the table, regardless of status.”

Her main source of inspiration was the relationship between immigrant farmworkers and the environments they work in. Reminiscent of spaghetti western movie posters and film credits, the series has bold colors and graphics and features photos of immigrant workers in fields and orchards and phrases that cause the reader to pause:

A red poster states, “They take the heat so you can eat.”
A green poster states, “They kill the pests but get no rest.”
A blue poster states, “They work the farm but face more harm.”

Each poster also offers facts and statistics to accompany the statements, as well as a call to visit Farm Aid for more information.

“I tried to find organizations that have put the effort and resources into gathering the information necessary to advocate for this mission. Farm Aid, the organization that is featured in this series, is a nonprofit music festival that works to expand knowledge about agriculture, food justice, and taking actions to change the system for a more equitable and vibrant American farming industry,” Mireles-Melgarejo said.

“Among those viewing this series would be people who are drawn to advocate for food justice or those who may be unfamiliar with the difficulties of farming in general. This series tugs to a very specific situation, with the people working in these conditions still being moms, dads, sisters, brothers and neighbors,” she added.

Campana Pajarete shares traditions, offers representation

Mireles-Melgarejo created the brand Campana, Spanish for bell, to package Pajarete, a traditional Mexican crème liquor. Pajarete is made with raw milk, high alcohol by volume (ABV) sugar cane distillate, chocolate, sugar and instant coffee. Campana offers a safer and more accessible alternative to the experience, made with processed milk and a lower ABV content.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo ��. bilingual packaging for Campana, inspired by Pajarete, a Mexican beverage tradition.

“What was once an alcoholic beverage that represented herdsmen ��. early day of work has now transitioned into a drink that represents gathering and community,” she said. “Campana encapsulates the social gathering that the origins of this drink have evolved into, with the target audiences being those who have tried the beverage in its traditional form, and are looking for a safer, more accessible alternative, or those who are looking to know more about the story of its Mexican traditions.”

Mireles-Melgarejo created the logo for Campana by carving a relief stamp of a cow and small birds, representing herdsmen ��. early mornings. The terracotta milk bottle features a bilingual label explaining the traditions behind Pajarete, including an outline of the state of Jalisco, where it originated. It ��. packaged inside a burlap bag tied with twine and a bell, also representing the start of the day.

“The bilingual packaging is meant to reach a broader audience and help them connect to the product beyond their personal desires. It helps people to see a representation of themselves, acknowledges their existence in the world and offers the preservation of their rich history,” Mireles-Melgarejo said.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo ��. logo and wordmark ideation for Campana.

She researched firsthand accounts of the creation and meaningfulness of Pajarete through social media posts and stories. She also conducted a competitive analysis of similar products in the market, including Clase Azul, an ultra-premium tequila bottled in hand-painted ceramic decanters and capped with an iconic bell; and Five Farms, a farm-to-table cream liqueur made in County Cork, Ireland.

“I wanted to find out how to create a packaging experience that did Campana Pajarete justice without saturating the market with something expected. The design for Campana ��. packaging uses textures, like terracotta, familiar to Mexican artisanry, and a design that attracts with organic illustrations,” said Mireles-Melgarejo, who plans to graduate in fall 2027 or spring 2028 and is considering careers in prepress, color management, web design or packaging.

“Special thanks to the graphic design department and Nagesh Shinde for challenging my creative limits, the Multicultural Student Services office, Avigdor Edminster, Cortney Benjamin, and M. James Heu for their support in my endeavors and in the scholarship application process,” she added.

�� Polytechnic ��. School of Art & Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest, offers bachelor ��. degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, as well as an M.F.A. in design.

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Hero Caption: Graphic design and interactive media senior Sam Mireles-Melgarejo's award-winning three-part poster series advocating for immigration reform on behalf of farmworkers.

Katie Lupton

Katie Lupton is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Interactive Media. She teaches graphic design, focusing on print, typography, experiential design, and design thinking courses. Lupton is the faculty advisor for the �� AIGA Student Group. She started her teaching career as a lecturer at �� and adjunct instructor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. After five years, she moved to the Myrtle Beach area and taught at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina.

Her studio practice combines print, pattern, packaging, and product design. The work aims to investigate relationships between design constraints and parameters within systems. The tactile nature of the work is heavily influenced by play and participation and how both can be incorporated into design solutions.

Lupton's work has been exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Can Can Wonderland (the first arts-based public benefit corporation in Minnesota), U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Coastal Carolina University.

Full Name: Katie Lupton

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National art competition victory puts �� Polytechnic student ��. autumn illustration on greeting card

giffeyt — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:30:00 +0000

National art competition victory puts �� Polytechnic student ��. autumn illustration on greeting card giffeyt October 5, 2026

Student wins $10,000 scholarship, blends artistic talent with interest in hospitality, architecture

Tom Giffey

An autumn-themed artwork by a University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic student will soon be featured on a greeting card produced by the Gallery Collection, a leading national publisher of holiday and greeting cards.

Aubrey Cronce, a sophomore from Wausau, also won a $10,000 scholarship as part of the 19th annual contest sponsored by the New Jersey-based company. Her artwork, a mixed-media illustration of decorative pumpkins created with graphite and color pencil, was chosen from nearly 6,000 entries nationwide.

Aubrey Cronce / Submitted photo

Cronce said she was elated and shocked when she was told she had won the competition. “I absolutely adore the idea that my art is displayed on a greeting card because this way my art is being shared and appreciated beyond the art room,” she said. “All art should be appreciated, but it becomes difficult when its environment is limited. Being on a greeting card is the perfect way to share my artistic skill and efforts with others through the holidays with their loved ones across the country!”

The competition invited U.S. high school and college students to submit original artwork or photography, with the winner receiving a scholarship and having his or her design featured on a Gallery Collection greeting card.

“When we launched the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest in 2007, our goal was to celebrate creativity while helping students invest in their futures," said Leslie Leifer, chief marketing officer of Prudent Publishing Company Inc., which owns the Gallery Collection. “Nineteen years later, we’ve awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships and have been inspired by thousands of students who have shared their talent, imagination and unique perspectives.”

"Midsummer Spark" by Aubrey Cronce / Submitted image

Artist ��. work displayed in Washington, D.C.

Cronce has loved painting and drawing in a variety of mediums since early childhood, and her artwork has been displayed in venues ranging from the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and Aspirus Hospital in her hometown of Wausau to the U.S. Capitol after winning the Congressional Art Competition for Wisconsin ��. Seventh Congressional District.

“I love making art that makes a statement, and so my favorite style and theme of artwork of mine is patriotic,” she said, noting that her painting displayed in Washington, D.C., featured a little girl holding a sparkler in front of the American flag. “I am a very patriotic individual and love talking about tradition and respect for our country, military and elders.”

"Gone, But Not Forgotten" by Aubrey Cronce / Submitted image

Cronce originally planned to be a graphic design or interior design major when she enrolled at �� Polytechnic. Ultimately, she decided to pursue a B.S. real estate property management degree with an architecture minor.

“I loved the Polytechnic aspect that Stout offered because I believe I am a very determined and hands-on individual,” she said. “I am fast-paced when it comes to learning and completing tasks and work, so naturally Stout piqued my academic interest.”

As Wisconsin ��. ��, �� Polytechnic places a focus on applied learning, and Cronce said her affinity for art intersects with her chosen career path in real estate.

“Similarities between my artistic skills and my courses really overlap when it comes to residential renovation and property management as well as the architecture, detail and intention of homes,” she said. “I look forward to more classes this year that will follow this interest of mine.”

After graduation, Cronce plans to pursue a career in real estate with a brokerage or real estate firm in her hometown. According to the university ��. most recent First Destination Report, 100% of graduates of the real estate property management program were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, and they reported average starting salaries of $56,000.

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Hero Caption: This mixed media illustration by �� Polytechnic student Aubrey Cronce was selected as the winner of a nationwide contest by Gallery Collection. / Submitted photo

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Alquist 3D concrete printing technology integrated into academic majors, new industry certificate

giffeyt — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Alquist 3D concrete printing technology integrated into academic majors, new industry certificategiffeyt September 15, 2026

�� Polytechnic's concrete printing capabilities benefit business and industry leaders, students, workforce

Tom Giffey

The term “3D printing” may conjure images of a boxy machine whirring away to create plastic pieces for a hobbyist or small prototypes for factories. Yet additive manufacturing technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with breakthroughs impacting numerous fields, including construction.

Today, 3D printers can extrude not only slender plastic filaments but also sturdy concrete to create entire structures – up to and including commercial and residential buildings.

�� Polytechnic is at the forefront of the 3D concrete printing (3DCP) revolution, becoming one of the first universities in the Midwest to acquire 3DCP technology through a strategic partnership with Alquist, a leader in the industry.

“This partnership with Alquist aligns directly with our mission to deliver applied, career-ready education,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “By bringing 3DCP technology and curriculum to our students, we’re preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving construction and manufacturing landscape.”

An employee from Alquist, left, talks to members of the �� Polytechnic community about the operation of a 3D concrete printer.

Senior Lecturer Jim Bunkelman

�� Polytechnic is integrating the cutting-edge equipment and curriculum from Alquist into its construction management, technology education, and industrial and product design programs. The relationship with Alquist will help build the workforce infrastructure required to scale robotic construction nationwide.

Among those who have taken part in on-campus 3DCP training is Senior Lecturer James Bunkelman (’00, ’20), president and CEO of Royal Construction in Eau Claire. Few universities or general contractors have access to such equipment, Bunkelman said.

“For industry and business to have a chance to provide input on how and where this technology fits into our daily business life, we need to be able to see and work with it,” he said. “Having access to it firsthand at Stout is the easiest way for us to figure out how this may help us. Labor shortages mean that we have to figure out how to do more with less, and technology like this a key part of the future of construction labor.”

�� Polytechnic faculty and staff members operate the concrete printer.

Certificate program among first of its kind

The new technology has allowed �� Polytechnic to become one of the first educational institutions in the United States to create a 3D Concrete Printing Certificate program. The certificate program will boost workforce skills by providing foundational expertise for both undergraduate students and professionals looking to add high-demand skills to existing careers.

Associate Dean Jennifer Astwood, a professor of industrial and product design and associate dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences who has coordinated the 3DCP project on campus, has developed the university ��. curriculum and certificate program with Professor Monika Herrmann of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering.

Astwood has also coordinated training sessions to expose business and industry representatives, faculty and students to the new technology.

“This summer, we worked on honing our skills with the 3DCP process and printing,” Astwood said. “It requires a lot of material consideration and environmental factors and time. We're getting stronger in our knowledge and more efficient in the process.”

�� Polytechnic is already planning how the new technology will fit into the future of the campus. The Universities of Wisconsin ��. 2027-29 budget request includes funding for a new Built Environment Emerging Technologies Lab to advance the 3DCP lab as a center for emerging technologies in the built environment, providing hands-on, industry-aligned education and workforce training for Wisconsin residents interested in architecture, interior design, industrial and product design, and automation.

Preparation for adopting 3DCP technology began more than a year ago, with support from Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald and Assistant Professor Janelle Skoyen Hestekin, both from the construction management program. Astwood also credits Chancellor Frank and Professor Glendalí Rodríguez, the university ��. former provost, for their strong support of the effort.

�� Polytechnic faculty, staff and others pose with a concrete planter, one of the first items printed with the university's new 3D concrete printer.

Polytechnic printing effort connects to university ��. past

Just after spring semester, dozens of faculty members, students and business representatives gathered in the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing to learn how to use the concrete printer with the help of Alquist trainers.

Concrete was mixed and pumped through an extrusion hose attached to a delivery boom held aloft by a robotic arm. As the arm moved, a print nozzle on the end of the boom looped around in a pre-defined pattern, laying a steady bead of wet concrete. As the shape grew, MacDonald and Associate Professor Dan Neubauer carefully added curved pieces of rebar to reinforce the structure. Others, including Astwood, used tools to smooth the still-wet concrete.

Before long, a large concrete planter had taken shape – a planter that is expected to find a home on campus soon. It ��. just one relatively small example of what the 3DCP technology can do. Alquist ��. printers have been used to create everything from commercial buildings for Walmart to affordable homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Horses pull student-built structures from Ray Hall in 1925 at what was then known as the Stout Institute. / �� Archives

As it engages further with the technology, which was funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., �� Polytechnic has similar aspirations. “The long-term goal is that we’ll want to build houses and structures with this,” Astwood said.

Stout carpentry students work on a portion of a gable roof in this 1925 photo. / �� Archives

That would bring the university full circle: In the first half of the 20th century, students at what was then known as the Stout Institute applied their construction skills to the task of building houses for community residents. Between the 1910s and 1950s, as many as 35 to 40 houses were built by students in Stout carpentry classes. Some were built on-site around Menomonie, while others were built inside the since-demolished Ray Hall, then moved – first by horses, then by trucks – to foundations around the city. A century later, some of these charming cottages are still standing, providing another demonstration of the long-term impact of the polytechnic education provided by Stout for 135 years.

Just like moving these houses, preparing the university for 3DCP has been a big lift.

“This is a huge undertaking,” Astwood said. “The work this summer to create the curriculum and to gain expertise with the machinery and technology will ensure a strong future for this project. It takes a village to make this endeavor successful. We coordinated with multiple programs, including construction management, engineering, and industrial and product design.

“A special thank you goes to Monika Herrmann, Kevin MacDonald, Dan Neubauer, Janelle Skoyen-Hestekin, and Michael Miller,” she continued. “Not only were we working to become adept in the technology, we were also working to make sure that the technology was safe and effective to use. Thanks also goes to Brandon Dick, Jim Uhler and Paul Craig for their efforts in this area. We also couldn’t have gotten this project off the ground without the support of Xuedong Ding and Justin Utpadel.”

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Jennifer Astwood

Teaching Interests: DES 331 – ID3: Product Interface Design (2 sections) DES 231 – ID2: Ergonomics DES 205 – Design Drawing and Concept Visualization ART 256 – Slip-Casting for Designers and Artists DES 231 – ID1: Product Form and Visualization DES 333 – Professional Practice DES 405 – Advanced Presentation Techniques DES 431 – System, Environment, and Context DES 432 – Theory, Society, and Application DES 712 – Sustainable Design Practice SUST 432/632 – Global Sustainability Experience in Design & Manufacturing

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Degree: M.F.A. Art & Design

University: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Degree: B.F.A. Industrial Design

University: University of Illinois Chicago

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:25:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsingoersab August 26, 2026

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Supply chain management, business administration and construction management are interconnected industries that transform ideas and resources into projects that improve the places where people live, work and gather. Supply chain professionals ensure that materials, services and resources move efficiently, while business professionals help organizations make strategic decisions and manage people, finances and operations. Construction professionals then bring those plans to life by creating the physical spaces that support businesses, families and communities.

Together, these fields offered �� Polytechnic student Katelynn Peterson opportunities to develop versatile skills, explore meaningful careers and see how her work can have a tangible impact. As a supply chain management major, she served as a business administration intern at Michels Construction Inc., in Lomira. She was one of the first interns placed in this role and managed more than 100 Michels interns.

Peterson was even given the opportunity to take a day trip on a private jet to Syracuse, New York, to watch Project Yankee, where Michels is testing deep foundation pouring for Micron ��. new microchip facility – a $100 billion, 680-acre-plus project.

“The opportunities are endless with Michels,” she said. “If you want to try something new or go somewhere for more experience, Michels is more than willing to put you where you need to be. This company is incredibly flexible in developing a strong career through support, networking and experience.”

Peterson, of New Richmond, expects to graduate in spring 2029, and plans to one day work at the corporate level in supply chain management.

“What interests me is the operations behind companies regarding transportation, logistics and quality management,” she said. “I hope to make an impact in my field by setting a positive, professional, and respectful standard, while finding the best protocols and operations within any project or company.”

Peterson was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as an intern at Michels Construction?

As a business administration intern, my main role was managing 115 of the 335 interns in the program. I used Excel to manage all the information. I monitored and managed their time clocks for payroll processing using ExakTime, tracked dashcam alerts with Samsara and audited their receipts for thousands of transactions in Corpay.

I had to navigate best operations for handling all of this for future business admins. Mass communicating to so many interns was challenging – sending proper protocols, policies, standards, training guides and more proved to be more than difficult. It was hard maneuvering all the communication consistently amongst the number of employees, but after finding the best system, it worked out very pleasantly.

What is a project you helped with at Michels Construction?

I created the Business Administration Playbook. It ��. a standard operating procedure (SOP) document that contained everything I did for the summer as a training guide for future business administration interns.

With two other interns placed in this role, it was a lot of organizing and navigating the best processes throughout the three months. We created the guide for those who may need it in the future.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I enjoyed the networking and professional relationships, as well as friendships that I made. This internship presented endless opportunities for me to experience more – even developing relationships with executives and presidents. This gave me the opportunity to watch testing be done on-site firsthand for Project Yankee for Micron.

Currently, Michels is testing foundation pouring for 80-foot caissons, which are underground cement pipes. They are testing about 10 of these pours before pouring the thousands to come. It was neat to see a challenge firsthand and watch the engineers navigate solutions and what to do going forward.

What advice would you give other students who are given large responsibilities?

Be confident! Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters. Even if you aren’t sure about what you are doing, you can be confident in navigating the next best steps to get there. Others see this motivation, and it will only make them more confident in having you experience different things.

Do you think your courses and experiences at Stout will help you to make an impact?

Yes! I do think my courses and experiences at Stout will help me to make this impact. The Career Conference Week that Stout hosts twice a year has so much potential for any individual, with any opportunity, in any major. The engaging, hands-on courses are informative and provide both soft skills and technical skills.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Co-op Q&A: Scott Stewart, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloit

‘Supply chains connect everything – materials, information and people all work together.’

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’ Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction intern

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Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:20:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Fallsgoersab August 26, 2026

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Great Northern Corporation, which manufactures packaging and retail displays, is headquartered in Appleton and has operations in ﬁve states. It employs more than 1,700 people nationwide, including more than 40 �� Polytechnic alumni. For more than 60 years, Great Northern has led the way in recyclable packaging, protective components, and retail display solutions that help customers succeed while minimizing environmental impact.

This summer, �� Polytechnic student Owen Whitney, a double major in business administration and supply chain management, served as a supply chain intern at Great Northern ��. Chippewa Falls location.

He worked independently to find areas of improvement within the company, developed solutions and ran projects to implement those solutions.

Whitney, of Morristown, Minnesota, plans to graduate in spring 2028 and would like to work in either project management or within supply chain.

“As a message for other students, I would say: do internships. I know it sounds cliché, and I know everyone says it, but they are telling the truth. Try to get one every year. Go to every career fair. I know they can be intimidating at first, but being uncomfortable is what creates some of the greatest growth. Eventually, you’ll start to see that discomfort turn into comfort, or at the very least, it won’t feel like something to fear anymore. That builds confidence, and that confidence builds you,” said Whitney, who also has minors in sales and marketing and computer science.

Whitney was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as a supply chain intern at Great Northern Corporation?

What interested me in interning with Great Northern was that not only would I get experience in a supply chain role, but I would also gain knowledge in how to run projects. Getting this real experience was valuable in many ways to me. It allowed me to learn that progress takes time, organization is vital, and that being resourceful is necessary in project management.

As a supply chain intern, I spent a lot of time walking through the days of our employees to see what would stick out to me. I did a lot of research, reached out to vendors, grabbed important details, presented ideas to my boss, planned out next steps and solutions, tested, and did what I could to finish the projects I started.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoyed most about my internship was getting to meet members of each role in the company and learn all about their position. This allowed me to make connections with many people and really understand how my role in the company ��. process works from start to finish.

I also really enjoyed having the freedom to choose my own projects. Being able to identify an area for improvement and then take the initiative to develop and implement a solution was very interesting and rewarding. It gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.

What are one or two projects you helped with at Great Northern Corporation?

Currently, the Great Northern production lines use paper quality sheets to document quality checks. A member of the company had the idea of transitioning these sheets to iPads, and I helped turn that idea into a more achievable concept. I edited a digital version of the quality sheets in Excel, incorporating features such as checkboxes, automatic timestamps, and other functionalities to make the process more efficient and user-friendly. I also developed a macro that allows the digital quality sheets to be automatically duplicated and organized as many times as needed, regardless of the number of sheets required. This will allow the whole system to be much more user-friendly, and a digital version would mean it would be much better organized.

Another project I helped with involved Great Northern ��. improvement idea process, where employees can submit ideas for improving operations. However, the existing process was entirely paper-based, requiring employees to fill out a physical form, management to manually review each submission and the completed forms to be stored. I developed a digital system to streamline this process and make it easier to manage from submission through approval.

I began by converting the existing improvement idea sheet into a Microsoft Form so employees could submit their ideas electronically. I then created a centralized Microsoft List to automatically store the responses in an organized format. From there, I used Power Automate to build the workflow that connects the different parts of the process. The workflow can notify the appropriate manager when an idea is submitted, route the idea through the necessary approval levels, update the submission based on the decisions made and send the appropriate notifications throughout the process.

The project also required me to troubleshoot and adapt the system as I developed it. When I found a limitation that affected the system, I worked with the corporate IT team to find an alternative solution.

Overall, this project gave me experience designing an automated process from the ground up. While I was not physically writing traditional code, I had to use the same type of logical thinking involved in programming, such as mapping out how information should move through the system, identifying potential problems, troubleshooting them and developing solutions to make the process work efficiently.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

The freedom was one of the most challenging aspects of my internship. It is also funny that the part of my internship I found most rewarding was also one of the most challenging. I had near-complete freedom over how I structured my days, which was very different from any job I had worked before. Instead of being given a set list of daily responsibilities, I had to identify areas that could be improved and then figure out how to approach them.

My managers were always great about answering questions and providing direction, but I still had to learn how to work independently. For a few weeks, I had to take a step back and focus on improving my organization, planning ahead, and becoming more comfortable reaching out to people and vendors.

I faced the challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference, and over time I became much more comfortable working independently and taking ownership of my projects. I know I still have much to improve on, but this challenge helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to make an impact by being good at what I do. My impact in project management would be knowing my company well, understanding the roles, communicating well and planning ahead. I want to make a difference at the places I work; I want to be an asset, I want to make others’ lives easier, and I want to be the best version of myself. So, I think the way I can have the biggest impact on my field is by being coachable and wanting to learn from everyone ��. perspective. With that, I think I could become well-rounded and knowledgeable in whatever job I’m in.

How will your experiences at Stout help you to make that impact?

My courses and experiences have already helped me a lot. My first year, I was an undecided student and wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I was deciding between computer science and business, and because I like planning and thinking about the future, not knowing what direction I wanted to take was really stressful for me.

However, by listening to the students and teachers around me, I slowly started to narrow down what I wanted to do. I especially want to credit one person: Kelly Wenig, my first-year advisor. He worked with me throughout my first year to help me develop a plan and commit to something. At first, I chose computer science, then switched to business a semester later, and eventually added supply chain as a double major this past semester. That was a lot of change, but each time I considered making a big change, I went back to Kelly. He is very personable and genuinely wants everyone to find something they can be passionate about.

By listening to him and many others, I was able to slowly work my way toward something that felt like a better fit for me. And this didn’t all happen in one day, one week, or even one month. It took me two years, and I’m still not entirely sure what I want to do. But I’ve learned that it ��. OK not to have everything figured out.

My experiences at Stout have taught me how important it is to keep learning, ask questions, and be willing to change direction when something isn’t the right fit. My courses have also given me the technical and business knowledge to actually turn ideas into solutions. Combined with the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, I feel like Stout has given me the confidence and tools to find my own path and make a difference wherever I’m meant to be.

2025 University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation

'�� . hands-on approach aligns with our values of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.'

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‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’ Owen Whitney at Great Northern Corporation

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Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experience

giffeyt — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experiencegiffeyt July 22, 2026

Construction majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades

Tom Giffey

Two major ongoing construction projects have provided �� Polytechnic students with exceptional applied learning opportunities without having to leave campus.

This summer, 13 �� Polytechnic students are interning with Miron Construction, Co. Inc., general contractor for both the $144.3 million renovation of Heritage Hall and the $31.7 million upgrade of the Recreation Complex. In addition, a recent two-semester master class led by Miron staff members gave students unique access to the Heritage Hall renovation.

“We are proud to maintain a strong relationship with �� Polytechnic, including helping train the next generation of construction professionals through a variety of internships each year,” said Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company ��. Eau Claire office. “The ongoing work to transform Heritage Hall and the Recreation Complex has created a unique opportunity to foster these applied learning opportunities right on campus.”

This summer, Miron interns from �� Polytechnic are gaining skills in project management, risk management, network security and technology support. Over the past decade, more than 40 �� Polytechnic students have interned for Neenah-based Miron, one of the largest construction contractors in the Midwest.

Among this summer ��. Miron interns from �� Polytechnic is Tyler Evans of Shawano, who is pursuing a degree in construction management and a minor in construction safety and risk control. As a risk management intern, Evans focuses on maintaining safety both at the Recreation Complex site on campus as well as at Miron projects around western Wisconsin. That means conducting safety walks, performing safety audits and learning the numerous factors on a job site necessary for maintaining safety.

“Safety isn’t just about us being safe and going home and not getting hurt,” said Evans, who will begin his junior year in the fall. “It ��. also about how we can do things easier and faster, but also in the right way where we’re all being safe and taking care of ourselves.”

Tyler Evans, Miron Construction intern and �� Polytechnic construction management major

For Evans, being a risk management intern doesn’t mean sitting in a trailer filling out paperwork. It means getting out on job sites and pitching in alongside the construction crews. “It ��. allowing me to gain the knowledge and experience of what people are doing and what they have to do to make their career,” he said.

This summer ��. internship, he added, will add a great deal of value to his education: Even if he goes on to become a project manager or a superintendent, the internship will have given him a strong understanding of safety. “The biggest thing about this internship is it ��. allowing me to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Evans said.

Miron Construction ��. John Younger, project manager for the Recreation Complex renovation, is a 2011 graduate of the B.S. construction management program, as are many of his coworkers. He said his �� Polytechnic education prepared him for his current role, and he sees Evans getting the same experience on the campus job site.

“Tyler ��. always asking a lot of questions. He ��. trying to get a handle on what we do and why we do it,” Younger said.

On-campus internship leads to full-time job

Every year, the �� Polytechnic Cooperative Education & Internship Program oversees nearly 1,000 co-op and internship experiences. More than one-third of the time, these internships and co-ops lead to job offers – and Miron is no exception.

Consider recent graduate Lucy Krieg of Kaukauna, who received her construction management degree in May and immediately took a job as safety manager for Miron.

Lucy Krieg, safety manager for Miron and recent �� Polytechnic graduate

Krieg ��. journey with Miron began at an on-campus career fair, which led to two consecutive summer internships and then a year-long opportunity to work on the Heritage Hall project as an intern.

“Being able to see things both on the construction site and in the classroom and being able to go back and forth between the two was really important to me,” Krieg said. For example, Krieg could experience something new during her internship, then return to the classroom and ask a faculty member about it. This kind of networking with professors and peers helped fortify the construction knowledge she gained on job sites, Krieg said.

“Looking back, I feel like my internship prepared me exactly how I needed going into my career,” she said. “It gave me the skills and the confidence that I need to back up those skills.”

Sawyer Steineke of Kaukauna is another construction management major who is interning with Miron this summer, working on projects in Green Bay, Kaukauna and elsewhere around the state. Steineke said the internship has given him a deeper understanding of the construction business, “Especially when you get in the field with people who’ve been doing this for the past 30 years.”

Steineke expects to bring his internship experience with him when he returns to class in the fall. “When I get to Heavy Construction and certain classes like that, I’ll have the knowledge that I’ve been on a job that was similar to this,” he said.

Sawyer Steineke, Miron Construction intern and �� Polytechnic construction management major

Likewise, the skills he ��. gained this summer will follow him into his professional life. “If you speak to a lot of construction management majors, they’ll tell you a lot of the things you’re going to bring with you into your future career are going to be learned through these internships,” he said. “So, Stout allowing us to be able to do something like this and get credit for it is a really cool opportunity.”

Miron helps create year-long construction master class

The Heritage Hall project also created the opportunity for a new course that gave students unique access to the site and the construction experts working on it.

When the Heritage Hall project was in its planning stages, Lecturer James Bunkelman of the operations and management department reached out to Holly Nowak, a senior project manager with Miron, to see if he could arrange a site visit for students. Instead of offering only a tour, Nowak suggested creating a master class that would be built around the Heritage Hall project.

‘Power of Partnership’: �� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

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Once a quarter during both the fall and spring semesters, students met for a four-hour class, which began with Miron staff members presenting topics which were then explored on the job site so students could see their real-world application.

“This was polytechnic at its finest. You couldn’t define polytechnic any better than how this class ended up,” Bunkelman said. “It can be very challenging for the students to take the academic side of what we’re trying to teach them and put it into perspective. The goal was to use the fact that Heritage Hall couldn’t be any closer or any better suited for that.”

The course turned out better than Bunkelman could have hoped: Because of the size and complexity of the project, Miron is using cutting-edge technology that might not be found at other job sites, giving students a richer experience. For example, students were able to use a virtual reality 3D model to better understand how site planning works as construction managers determine the placement of construction cranes, parking and pedestrian pathways.

Opportunities for student engagement will continue for the coming semesters, as both construction projects are expected to continue into 2028.

Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

The long-awaited work on Heritage Hall, which opened in 1973 as the Home Economics Building, began last September. The extensive, clean-slate renovation will double the number of students the building will be able to serve to about 4,000. The project was primarily funded through the 2023-25 state budget, with an additional $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the �� Foundation & Alumni Association.

The Recreation Complex project, which began last spring, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The project is primarily funded through student fees as well as a record-setting $5 million gift from alumnus Dallas Pankowski and his wife, Edye, a Menomonie native.

Construction management majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades Miron Construction Scaffolding Training

Heritage Hall Renovation

This project creates a new, unified home for workforce-critical degree programs in the College of Art & Human Sciences and more.

Recreation Complex Renovation

A new renovated recreation complex to improve the student experience with expanded, improved fitness and recreation space.

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Hero Caption: Miron Construction conducts safety training at �� Polytechnic.

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Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

goersab — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths goersab June 16, 2026

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site

Abbey Goers

On a cloudy Tuesday morning, eight middle school Construction Pathways campers with �� Polytechnic ��. summer STEAM experience watched a crane lift an air conditioning unit onto the new Aspirus Clinic that is being built in Chippewa Falls.

The site tour, led by the Boldt Company, introduced the campers to different career opportunities in the construction industry, including project management, skilled trades, labor, engineering, safety, and more, as well as what being a construction management student at �� Polytechnic might be like.

STEAM Construction campers and instructors with their final projects

“Students gained a better understanding of how a construction site operates with a behind-the-scenes look at how projects are planned, built and managed from the ground up. They discovered career paths in construction, woodworking and other skilled trades they may be interested in pursuing in the future,” said technology education senior Annika Schlueter, who taught the camp.

The construction campers are just some of the more than 500 children from around the region and country who are traveling to �� Polytechnic to join the Middle School STEAM and High School STEAM week-long experiences this summer.

STEAM Construction campers received a site tour by the Boldt Company / Annika Schlueter

Introducing young campers to career paths in science, technology, engineering, and art and design fits hand-in-hand with �� Polytechnic ��. mission of preparing its students for the workforce, as 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

New experiences in the Woods Lab

In the Jarvis Hall Wood Prototyping Lab, the campers created their own wooden cutting boards, crafted from black walnut, ash, cherry, and maple, and personalized them with laser engraving technology.

Instructor Annika Schlueter helps a camper cut pieces for cutting board. / Annika Schlueter

Through the hands-on project, they learned foundational skills in woodworking, like tool safety and how projects are designed, managed and completed from start to finish. They used a full range of the lab ��. machine, including table saws, routers, an overhead sander, a CNC (computer numerical control) machine and a laser engraver.

“Along with these hard skills, they developed important life skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, responsibility and time management,” Schlueter said. “Students gained skills they can use both in their future careers and in their everyday lives. By completing projects and working through challenges, they built confidence and gained valuable skills that will benefit them long after the class is over.”

Teaching Assistant Marrissa Haglund helps a camper with the CNC machine.

Most of the campers had done small woodworking projects before, but using the CNC machine was an all new experience. Levi Ryan, who traveled from Texas to attend the camp, didn’t even know the machine existed. “Seeing what all of the different machines can do was the best part,” he said.

Caleb Larson, of Baldwin, joined the camp to be able to work with his hands. He enjoyed “seeing all of the work come together, especially at the construction site visit.”

Campers and Schlueter prepare to use the laser engraver on a cutting board

While waiting for glue to dry or for the CNC machine or laser engraver to be available or for classmates to complete the sanding process on their cutting boards, there was time for extra projects.

“Keeping the kids busy was the hardest part,” Schlueter said. “We did a lot of additional projects on the fly, like resin-pour coasters and keychains, and other laser-engraved wood designs as gifts.”

Prepared to lead in the classroom

Originally, the STEAM construction camp was going to be taught by engineering technology Assistant Professor Kevin Dietsche, but his schedule did not line up, so he offered the camp to Schlueter. Schlueter, who serves as a lab assistant in the Woods Lab, has completed her pre-student teaching and will begin student teaching next spring. The construction camp was her first experience leading a classroom.

Campers sand their cutting boards in preparation for sealing them.

Marrissa Haglund, who also serves as a lab assistant, was asked to be a teaching assistant for the camp. Haglund fell in love with the Woods Lab after taking a couple of engineering technology courses. She graduated in May with a B.S. in business administration.

“This opportunity has given me confidence, experience, and application in my field, and I think it is a great program for the students,” Schlueter said. “This camp not only offered me technical experience but also a lot of soft skills with coordination, communication and organization. I did a lot of budgeting and planning to get ready for the camp, so it could be as time-effective as possible. I’m very thankful that I was given the opportunity to be the instructor.”

Campers, Schlueter and Haglund seal their cutting boards.

Additional STEAM camps this summer include experiences in:

Science & Health: Freshwater science, fish conservation, anatomy, molecular ecology, psychology and gardening

Technology: 3D-printing, robotics and virtual reality

Engineering: Packaging and plastics engineering

Art & Design: Claymation, comics, game design, fashion, cinema production, interior design and drawing.

The STEAM programs are sponsored by the Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire school districts, the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, the National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Xcel Energy and the �� Foundation & Alumni Association, in partnership with Continuing Education & Conferences.

Haglund helps campers mix coloring to add to their resin-pour keychains. / Annika Schlueter

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Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site STEAM Construction Camp

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Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

goersab — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0000

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Awardgoersab June 11, 2026

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

Abbey Goers

In an international competition designed to celebrate the way print media brings people together across the globe, a team of �� Polytechnic students won the coveted TAGA Student Choice Award at the 2026 Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, Helmut Kipphan Student Chapter Competition. The award was announced in April during a watch party hosted by Konica Minolta, in Chicago.

The winning team is made up of students in the B.S. graphic communications and B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media programs and the graphic media and print management minor. Their design, “Mail Across Minneapolis,” inspired by postcards, is a folding carton mailbox made of paperboard. Their submission included the final deliverable, a journal publication, and detailed production notes, which reinforced their skills in design, technical execution, project management and collaboration.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo, Theodore Cerny, Becky Gaspord, Red Moser, Mallory Jakubiak, advisor Bethany Wheeler and Ariel Kissel, pose in front of the Konica Minolta building with the T / Becky Gaspord and Ariel Kissel

“Students are pushing new ideas, and industry folks are genuinely interested. It feels collaborative, not just competitive,” said TAGA President Birgit Plautz, adding that TAGA helps “connect new ideas with what ��. actually happening in the industry,” creating opportunities for student work to influence real-world practices.

TAGA Student Choice Award team members were:

Mallory Jakubiak, of Shakopee, Minnesota
Red Moser, of Manitowoc
Trevor Anderson, of Menomonie
Ariel Kissel, of Neenah
Theo Cerny, of Maple Grove, Minnesota
Brynn Hessel, of South Range

“Competitions like these are so beneficial for students to participate in because their open-ended structure leaves a lot of room for the students to decide what direction to take the projects. This allows them the flexibility to make something they are really passionate about and something they can be really proud of,” said graphic communications Program Director Bethany Wheeler.

Other participating student chapters were from Ball State University, California Polytechnic State University, Clemson University, Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Toronto Metropolitan University.

TAGA ��. Vice President of Education Celeste Calkins noted, “These students are the future of this industry,” highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for them to grow, connect and exchange ideas.

‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ winning design

During the ideation phase, the team chose to focus on mail in general, noting different types of mail through the iconography in their journal publication, including letters, bills, postcards, newspapers, packages and more.

Becky Gaspord, Ariel Kissel, Mallory Jakubiak, Theodore Cerny, Sam Mireles-Melgarejo and Red Moser at Mittera / Ariel Kissel

“We wanted our journal publication to look like a letter arriving in the mail. We cut a sleeve that looked like an envelope to hold the journal and added small details such as a cut-out window to see the address and recipient on the back, like you would an actual letter,” said Kissel, who will serve as �� Polytechnic TAGA chapter president in 2027-28 during her senior year.

Working in various labs across campus, the team used Adobe Illustrator and InDesign in the GCOM computer labs. They designed and cut out stamps according to official U.S. stamp regulations and requirements and made an ink stamp for the envelope, like the United States Postal Service would place on mail and packages. They used the 3D Printing Lab to make wax seals, as well as the Packaging Lab to cut out the mailboxes and assemble them using an industrial glue gun.

“We decided our overall package design would be a mailbox. We made more stickers to place on the outside to decorate, as someone might actually do to customize their own mailbox, and added a small detail of the address. We wrote ‘2026’ as though it were the house number and made the street name ‘�� Street,’” Kissel said.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

Kissel thinks working in a cross-disciplinary team was really helpful. “We were able to bounce ideas off of each other and build on them as we worked. When we ran into issues, which we did quite often through the process, we found our best method was to adjust what we were doing and try again,” she said.

A big issue the team faced was the splitting of the spines of the journal. They initially planned on printing two journals on one block, binding them, and then splitting them in half when trimming the blocks. “Every time we split the block in half, the pressure being applied by the blade would cause the spine to split,” Kissel explained. “As a team, we bounced off ideas of possible solutions, and when we had something we thought might work, we gave it a try. We repeated the process until we found a solution.”

�� Polytechnic ��. TAGA chapter toured multiple facilities while in Chicago for the award watch party, including Mittera, Specialty Print Communications and Konica Minolta.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

This was the chapter ��. first time in a decade entering the TAGA competition. “It ��. been an extremely rewarding experience to assemble a team of students so passionate about showing off their skills and abilities by competing in this competition. The pieces they produced were incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder of the projects they were able to complete,” Wheeler said. “I’m thrilled to guide this team through a successful competition after many years without a TAGA chapter. I know our projects and team will continue to grow and dazzle the TAGA judges as we recruit more students and strive to showcase the very best of what we do at Stout.”

Kissel was extremely proud to be able to show the team ��. work to the other competing chapters. “I was even more proud to be a part of the team to bring home an award after a 10-year hiatus! It was an honor to work with such talented designers,” she said.

Kissel has a summer internship at OEC Graphics, in Oshkosh, helping with quality checks on label and carton designs for BP Lubricants products.

“The biggest lesson I’ve been able to apply so far is to work with my team. I’m only one person, and I can really only do so much,” she said. “The same goes for the rest of my peers on the team. We each are given our positions to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently. By working all together, we really are a well-oiled machine (pun intended).”

TAGA student chapters play an important role in shaping how students understand the graphic communications industry and their place within it. Participation in the competition exposes students to current trends, emerging technologies, and evolving industry needs. The experience also underscores the role of research in driving innovation, encouraging students to think beyond individual projects and consider broader industry applications.

�� Polytechnic ��. graphic communications program blends design, technology and business strategy to prepare students for careers in printing, packaging, publishing, and related industries, emphasizing the university ��. applied learning and industry collaboration.

With an average starting salary of $50,000, 100% of recent graphic communications graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, according to Career Services’ annual First Destination Report.

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Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille, B.S. Business Administration

giffeyt — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:34:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille, B.S. Business Administration giffeyt May 21, 2026

Hired before graduation at Redpath and Company as a tax associate

Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille (’26) 

Hometown: Cannon Falls, Minnesota 
Degree: B.S. Business Administration with a concentration in Management Accounting
Minors: Investment & Finance, Economics

Rosella Wille was inspired to attend �� by successful alumni who spoke highly of their experiences at Wisconsin ��. ��. Now, after her own noteworthy academic and athletic career, Wille herself is poised to become one of those outstanding alums.

As an incoming student, Wille said, “I saw the opportunity to gain a quality, hands-on education through internships and real-world projects that would help me build my skills and prepare for my career.”

Wille was among more than 1,000 students who crossed the commencement stage on May 16. In addition to earning a B.S. in business administration and completing three internships, Wille played forward on the women ��. basketball team, reaching the NCAA Division III Final Four in 2025 and earning Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Sportsmanship Team honors this spring.

“Being part of a competitive team taught me strong time management as I balanced practices, travel and academics,” Wille said. “It also strengthened my teamwork, accountability and ability to stay focused on shared goals under pressure. Those skills have made a big impact on my overall college experience and will carry into my career.”

Wille also served as student assistant coach for the Blue Devils women ��. flag football team, which won the inaugural Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship in 2025.

“That experience allowed me to step into a leadership role and mentor other athletes,” she said. “Coaching helped me develop stronger communication skills, patience and the ability to motivate and support others.”

After graduation, Wille will begin her career as a tax associate at Redpath and Company and make a fast break toward her next goal: studying for and completing the CPA exam. Of this year ��. graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

Rosella Wille (22) was a forward on the women's basketball team, which reached the NCAA Division III Final Four in 2025.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to make an impact in my field by building strong relationships with individuals and providing trustworthy guidance to help them feel more confident about their finances. Taxes and accounting can be stressful or confusing for many people, so I want to be someone clients can rely on to explain things clearly and support their financial goals. Ultimately, I want to make a meaningful difference in people ��. lives beyond just preparing returns by helping them make informed decisions for their future.

How has �� prepared you to work in your field?

�� has prepared me well for a career in accounting by providing professors who came directly from the field and brought their real-world experiences into lectures and labs. Learning from their perspectives helped me understand how accounting concepts apply in practice, not just theory.

The business program also required me to take courses across multiple areas like human resources, business law, management and marketing. That broad foundation will help me better understand my clients’ business and collaborate with coworkers from different departments. Overall, Stout has helped me build both my technical knowledge and the well-rounded business perspective needed to succeed in my career.

What did you learn from your internship experiences?

During my college career, I completed three internships. Two were in Menomonie and one was in Minneapolis. My first internship was at a bookkeeping company, where I built a strong foundation in the basics of bookkeeping and developed strong attention to detail.

My second internship was in Minneapolis at Foundation X, where I was introduced to philanthropy and the nonprofit space. I learned how strategic giving can make a meaningful impact and how individuals and families align their financial goals with causes they care about. That experience opened my eyes to the importance of thoughtful charitable planning and finding better, more effective ways to do good.

Lastly, I worked as a finance intern at Waznik Heike Group, where I helped prepare for client meetings and learned more about financial advising and client relationships. That role reinforced how important trust, preparation and communication are when working directly with individuals.

The greatest lesson I took from my internships is that you won’t know everything starting out and that ��. OK. What matters most is being eager to learn, asking questions and staying open to feedback. I realized that everyone around you has something valuable to teach you, and growth comes from being willing to continuously improve.

What stands out about your �� experience?

My �� experience stands out to me because of the professors. They are genuinely invested in their students, not just academically but personally and professionally as well. They truly want you to understand the material and succeed beyond the classroom. Their willingness to share real-world experiences, offer guidance and make themselves available for questions made a big difference in my learning and overall college experience.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I faced in earning my degree was not knowing exactly what I wanted to do at first. I changed my major a couple of times while trying to figure out where I truly fit. Instead of seeing that as a setback, I used it as an opportunity to explore different classes and speak with mentors, professors and professionals to gain clarity.

Over time, those conversations and experiences led me to this specific degree and career path. I also learned to put less pressure on myself to have everything figured out right away. Once I started focusing on learning and enjoying the journey, rather than stressing about having a perfect plan, everything began to fall into place.

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

I am most proud of being a student athlete on the women ��. basketball team. Our season ran through both the fall and spring semesters, so I never really had an off season during the academic year. Balancing practices, games, travel and a full course load was challenging at times, but I stayed disciplined and put my head down to get the work done.

That experience pushed me to grow in ways beyond the classroom. It strengthened my work ethic, resilience and ability to manage my time effectively. Finishing my degree while competing at a high level is something I am truly proud of because it reflects the commitment and perseverance I brought to my college experience.

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Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille (’26) 

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits �� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’