Alumni Stories
Contact Information
If you are a Project Success alumni and interested in sharing your story, we want to hear from you!
Ashley Lewandowski
Phone: (920) 424-1033
E-Mail: lewandoa@uwosh.edu
Alumni- Dr. Shawn Robinson “Dr. Dyslexia Dude” embarked on a 170-mile bike ride raising awareness about Dyslexia.
Callie Walker- Berlin, Wisconsin
Growing up, school had always been a struggle for me, I hated it. I was so lost and confused in pretty much every class except phy. ed. I always felt that my classmates were smarter than I was. I was tested multiple times to see if I had an LD and always fell in this “grey area” where I wasn’t able to receive the help that I needed in order to be successful. I was told that I was an average student who, “just learns at a slower speed”. Finishing last on every in-class assignment and failing pretty much every exam was embarrassing and frustrating. I felt like it didn’t matter how much I studied, I was going to fail anyway. There were only so many times I could fail, go in for extra help, get tutors, spend hours studying, and try to have a positive attitude, before I eventually reached the mindset of, “It doesn’t matter and I don’t care anymore.” I expected to fail, and I accepted the fact that I was not “smart”.
Caitlin Murphy- West Chicago, Illinois
My parents are both UW-Oshkosh alumni, and had heard about the Project Success Program from several colleagues and friends over the years. During my junior year of high school, my family and I toured the campus and met with Project Success staff members. We were very impressed by our visit and I was excited to complete the application process. When I received my acceptance letter to UW -Oshkosh as a Project Success student, I was hopeful for the first time that I would succeed in college.
I began my journey at UW-Oshkosh by attending the Project Success 2007 summer program. I had graduated from high school only a few days before my arrival and was extremely nervous about not knowing anyone and living so far from home since my family is from Illinois. Luckily, I was not alone, as the other students were all experiencing the same feelings.
The Project Success summer program was one of the greatest experiences I have been through. I was able to obtain important profitable skills such as organizational habits, reading/writing skills and study habits. I quickly matured into a young adult, making lifelong friends and learning to believe in myself. After successfully completing the 2007 Summer Program, I was approved to begin regular freshman classes during the upcoming fall semester as a full-time student at UW-Oshkosh.
I regularly visited the Project Success Office multiple times each week to receive assistance in writing, reading, and math throughout my time as a student at UW-Oshkosh. The Project Success Office was a safe haven for me where I could go to de-stress, as well as receive advice, encouragement and support from staff members or fellow students.
During the spring semester of 2010 and the fall semester of 2011 I earned a placed on the UW-Oshkosh Honors List for receiving a GPA higher than a 3.30. In 2011, I was also awarded with the Robert T. Nash Scholarship for my advocacy skills and having a GPA higher than a 2.75.
In the spring of 2013, I graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor Degree in Social Work (BSW). After graduation, I accepted a social work position in Milwaukee, WI, where I am currently working as a case manager for juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system. My work is challenging but very rewarding.
In July 2016, I married my husband Dan and we are now in the process of buying our first home together. We are also currently adopting a new puppy. Our future looks bright and happy.
My advice to current/future Project Success students would be to utilize your resources, ask for help when needed, and step outside of your comfort zone. Always believe in your future and be willing to work hard to reach your dreams.
Maurcie Mueller- Wisconsin