One year ago, I walked into the Fluno Center for On Wisconsin Weekend with wide eyes, a notebook full of questions, and no idea what to expect. I remember scanning the room, wondering who my classmates would be, wondering how prepared for the MBA I was, and how I would fit into a program filled with people who seemed to fit right in. By the end of that weekend, all I wanted was to get started. I left energized, inspired, and determined to give everything I had to the Wisconsin MBA and the Strategic Human Resource Management specialization. Fast‑forward to this year, I returned to On Wisconsin Weekend in a very different role: as a student ambassador and Forté Fellow. This time, I was the one giving prospective students the answers to the questions I used to have. Stepping into that role helped me deepen my skills and reflect on how far I’ve come since last year.
Our first interaction with prospective students was Thursday night at the Fluno Center. Even as an ambassador, I felt a nervous excitement. But once conversations started, that feeling shifted to genuine curiosity and connection. I spoke with students from a wide range of backgrounds – HR professionals, career switchers, and people still deciding whether an MBA at UW Madison was the right next step. After dinner, we brought the students to The Double U for our weekly TAPS. It’s a simple tradition, but one that says a lot about the Wisconsin MBA experience that we work hard, but we also build real relationships. Watching prospective students relax, laugh, and ask candid questions reminded me how important it is to show the fun-loving side of graduate school.
Friday’s dinner and panel gave me another chance to connect. I sat with second‑years and faculty at first, but afterward I made a point to walk around, introduce myself, and check in with prospective students. Conversations quickly shifted from program questions to hobbies, career goals, and what life in Madison is like outside of classes. This is where my HR mindset kicked in. Leadership in our field, as many HR professionals have emphasized in their speeches, isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating psychological safety, building trust, and helping people navigate uncertainty. I remembered how overwhelming my own first semester felt and how helpful it was to have a friend give me support when I needed it most and that’s exactly what I wanted to offer the new students.
By Saturday’s lunch, conversations became more personal and practical. One prospective student asked about housing, which had been a major stressor for me last year simply because I wasn’t sure what would best fit my preferences. I shared what worked, what didn’t, and how to evaluate transportation, cost, and community. My goal was to help her feel more grounded in the process than I did when I was sorting through all the choices. This became a theme throughout the weekend. I shared that my first year came with its own learning curve and that I wanted to help them feel more prepared from the start. HR is a profession built on continuous learning, and I’ve come to appreciate how valuable it is to share those experiences with others. If I could help any student feel more confident as they begin this chapter, then my role as an ambassador felt worthwhile. I also made sure to give a realistic picture of the program. I told them that the first semester is a whirlwind, especially for SHR students whose recruiting cycle starts early. But I emphasized the support system: faculty who genuinely care, staff who go above and beyond, and classmates who become your biggest cheerleaders. Yes, it’s intense, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Additionally, not everyone who attended On Wisconsin Weekend had committed yet, and I wanted to be mindful of that. My goal wasn’t to push them toward a choice, but I genuinely felt that many of the students I met would thrive here, so I wanted to help them see what their experience could look like. I talked honestly about workload, culture, career outcomes, and what it means to be part of a specialization‑driven MBA. For SHR students especially, I highlighted the unique value of our program: the blend of HR strategy, analytics, leadership development, and real‑world application. I wanted them to see not just what the program is, but who they could become through it and how much they would grow, just as I have. The weekend wrapped up with Spring Ball on Saturday night, a perfect way to end on a high note. Seeing prospective students from all specializations dressed up, dancing, laughing, and connecting with current students made the whole experience feel full‑circle. I checked in with the SHR prospective students, answered any lingering questions, and offered my number in case they needed anything after the weekend.
The On Wisconsin Weekend is a living example of what we study in the Wisconsin School of Business MBA program. As an ambassador, I get to show new students what the experience looks like day‑to‑day and help them understand what being part of this community feels like. By being transparent, supportive, and accessible, we help create a foundation of trust that carries into the academic year. And as future HR leaders, practicing these skills now prepares us to build inclusive, high‑performing environments in our future organizations.
A year ago, I walked into On, Wisconsin Weekend unsure of myself. This year, I walked in ready to lead. That transformation didn’t happen overnight; it happened because of the people, the culture, and the opportunities within the Wisconsin MBA and the SHR specialization. My hope is that the prospective students I met will feel that same transformation a year from now. And if I played any part in helping them take that first step, then I’ve honored the mission of our SHR Center and the Wisconsin School of Business.