This Spotlight series recognizes a UW-Fox Valley student’s academic achievements and personal story. Students are nominated for this spotlight by faculty and staff.
Name: Matt Agius
Age: 19
Hometown: Canton, MI
Currently Residing: Appleton, WI
Career program/major: Business Management
High School Attended: Appleton North
What led you to choose your program or major?
When I first started college, I was a mechanical engineering major. My dad, who happens to be an engineer, had encouraged me to pursue engineering and I thought it would be a good fit since I was always ahead in math and science throughout high school. After getting into the actual engineering classes, I quickly realized that it was not what I wanted to do as a career. After that, I knew I wanted to do business. I had always enjoyed business back in high school from being in DECA to taking all the business classes my school had to offer.
Why did you decide to become a University of Wisconsin student at UWFox?
I actually began as a student at UW-Milwaukee last year. After being there for a semester and realizing it wasn’t for me, I decided to transfer to UWFox. My older brother Anthony was attending there at the time and had a good experience. I also wanted to be able to pay for my own school and UWFox has helped me do that by having low-cost tuition. I am also able to save money by living at home and working at my job.
Is there a UWFox professor or staff member who made a difference in your life or inspired you?
I have had an excellent experience with every professor I’ve had at UWFox. Professor Jill Halverson has helped me with a lot of advising and developing my career path. Barbara Hastie was a psychology professor that I had last semester and she made the class really enjoyable by adding a lot of personal experience to her content.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an incoming UWFox student?
Don’t rush. I think many people feel like they have to get in and out of UWFox in just two years. I see some students stressing themselves out with school and work because they feel the need to take 18 credits. My advice is to take your time and do well in the classes. If you know that taking five classes and working 30 hours a week will not allow you to get a GPA you want, then take four classes. You don’t want your GPA and mental health to suffer from stress.
Describe something unexpected that happened here at UWFox.
When I first started thinking about transferring to UWFox, I was a little worried that it would be hard to make friends since you don’t have the experience of living in dorms. I was surprised to meet a lot of people through a club that I joined called Cru, which is a Christian organization on campus. It helped me to meet a lot of new friends who have helped me build my faith.
When not in class or studying, what keeps you busy?
I currently am a customer service representative at Festival Foods. I have been at my job for almost four years and I really enjoy it. When not at school or work, I like to spend time hanging out with friends and family.
What are your plans after UWFox?
After UWFox, I plan on transferring to UW Oshkosh to get my degree in business management.
UWFox is part of the University of Wisconsin System and one of the 14 freshman/sophomore campuses of the UW Colleges. UWFox offers an Associate of Arts and Science Degree, the foundation to a bachelor’s degree and specialized professional and occupational degrees.
To learn more about the associate degree and options for beginning one of more than 200 majors at UW-Fox Valley, call (920) 832-2620 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
Contact
Laurie Krasin
920-929-1108
laurie.krasin@uwc.edu