Applied research, field experiences advance skills of UW-Stout master’s graduates in supply management, food science, therapy

Menomonie, Wis. – Among the class of nearly 100 Graduate Studies students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s most recent ceremony, three were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud. 

 

The graduates shared their university experiences, setbacks and successes in UW-Stout’s Inspiring Graduate Q&A series: 

• Alex Stuckert, M.S. operations and supply management, Woodbury, Minn.
• Tejasri Vanga, M.S. food science and technology, Karimnagar, India
• Hailey Kollmansberger, M.S. Ed. school psychology, Medford

Inspiring Graduate: Alex Stuckert, M.S. operations and supply management

Stuckert earned his bachelor’s in construction management and minor in construction safety and risk control from UW-Stout, while competing on the Blue Devil hockey team.

He stayed on at UW-Stout to earn his online master’s degree in operations and supply management and concentration in project management, while working as a full time electrical distribution designer for Xcel Energy.

Online graduate school was the only viable option he saw that would enable him to execute his plan of working a full-time job, playing Division III hockey and going to school full time.

“UW-Stout’s online OSM program was extremely flexible, allowing me to use my professional experience in the utility construction industry in class projects and exercises, allowing me to fulfill my job responsibilities, maintain strong customer satisfaction, and keep my mind and body in shape to give my hockey team the best chance of success,” he said. “Having that flexibility gave me the ability to be a leader in my professional career and in the locker room.”

Stuckert is looking to advance his career at Xcel and strengthen relationships as he continues to grow within the company, as well as roles outside of work to make a bigger impact in his community.

Inspiring Graduate: Tejasri Vanga, M.S. food science and technology

After earning her bachelor’s in agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences from Singhania University in Rajasthan, India, Vanga traveled across the world to Menomonie to join UW-Stout’s M.S. in food science and technology program.

“I chose UW-Stout for its wide research opportunities and because of the practical knowledge I would gain in the food science program,” she said. “Stout taught me many things in professional and personal ways. It shaped my career, gave me a clear vision of how to learn and how to face challenges in the upcoming future. Joining Stout gave me a strong foundation. I improved my skills, which helped me to carve the next step.”

Vanga presented research at the WiSys SPARK Symposium and UW-Stout’s Research Day, winning second place at the 2024 WiSys Quick Pitch during Research Day, as well as Audience Favorite, for her presentation on “Comparative Study on the Properties of Various Thickeners for Producing Plant-Based Meat Analogs.”

Her internship at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., in Chicago, led to her interest in research and development, in which she plans to find a career where she can use her industry knowledge and experience. She also plans to continue her research work in plant-based meat analogs, a booming topic in the future, she said.

Inspiring Graduate: Hailey Kollmansberger, M.S. Ed. school psychology

A first-generation college student, Kollmansberger returned to UW-Stout to pursue her master’s in education in school psychology after earning with her bachelor’s in psychology.

She will be entering the career field as a licensed school psychologist and is working toward her educational specialist degree.

In the first year of her master’s program, she built a robust skillset prior to entering her practicum and internship in years two and three.

“One experience that I feel is unique to UW-Stout’s program is the ability to take on clinical clients at the university clinic. This allowed myself and my peers to translate our skills in assessments, report writing and building rapport with clients that we learned within the classroom into real life while still receiving guidance from our professors,” Kollmansberger said.

“I feel very prepared as I approach the window of job interviews. My program at UW-Stout provided me with an opportunity to truly find myself as a student, future school psychologist, and a human being within society,” she added.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.