Wisconsin Experience Stories
![Abagail Catani poses for a portrait in UW–Madison’s Red Gym and Multicultural Student Center.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/04/abagail-catania-1200-600x400-c-default.jpg)
As an undergraduate, Abagail didn't see many students of color in her agricultural classes. So she set out to change that.
![Alexandra Pleasant poses for a photo at Memorial Union, writing paper and pen in hand.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/04/alexandra-pleasant-1200-600x400-c-default.jpg)
First-generation student Alexandra Pleasant has as much courage, grace and gumption as any literary protagonist.
![Brett Nachman poses in the Education Building.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2020/02/nachman-brett19-1200-600x400-c-default.jpg)
By sharing his story, Brett Nachman is helping change the conversation about autism.
![Carmen Nightfall walking her dog on a sunny summer day.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/04/carmen-nightfall-feature-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Read how an unfortunate incident sparked a positive change for Carmen, who is currently working on a degree in CALS.
![Student Colin Bass stands at the base of State Street, the capitol behind him in the distance, his backpack strap wrapped with a green bandana.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2020/01/Conlin-Bass-scaled-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Conlin began The Bandana Project his freshman year to increase mental health and suicide prevention awareness.
![](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/08/Ferguson_Roundtable14_1741-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Milwaukee native Deshawn McKinney talks about opportunity, hardship, and winning the esteemed Marshall Scholarship.
![Elena Haasl is pictured in front of the City-County Building in downtown Madison, WI.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2021/03/Class-Act-Haasl-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Combining her interests in environmental and social activism, Elena Haasl became a voice for students and the marginalized.
![Hannah DePorter](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/05/Hannah-DePorter-600x400-c-default.jpg)
It took an undergraduate to look at things differently and inspire change.
![Jada Kline, undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is pictured on Nov. 15, 2017.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/03/Kline_Jada_port17_5807-1-600x400-c-default.jpg)
With a message of determination, Jada honors the past and embraces the future.
![](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/04/jamie-2400-600x400-c-default.jpg)
A background in spoken word and music has served as a powerful launchpad for Jamie.
![Katelyn Zutter smiling outdoors](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/05/KatelynZutter_8.8.17-1-600x400-c-default.jpg)
This computer sciences and Spanish double-major is working to make the tech industry more inclusive.
![Kit Chow stands on State Street the Wisconsin capitol building visible in the distance.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2021/03/kit-chow-featured-600x400-c-default.jpg)
A passion for problem-solving — and caffeine — led Kit down the unexpected path of entrepreneurship.
![Leah Johnson poses for a portrait near the rooftop solar panels on Leopold Residence Hall at UW-Madison.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/10/20180504_LeahJohnson0029-web-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Leah seeks to infuse sustainability into the everyday fabric of campus, making green living an easy choice.
![Luke Valmadrid playing the violin](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2018/05/LukeValmadrid_6_12.14.17-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Luke has forged a rigorous path pursuing a triple major — and the dedicated senior wouldn’t have it any other way.
![Lusayo Mwakatika, pictured sitting in a dark lounge area at Comedy on State in Madison.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2021/08/LusayoMwakatika-splitScreen-3-600x400-c-default.jpg)
With many passions come many achievements for an enthusiastic scholar from Malawi.
![Michael Williams](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2021/09/Michael-Williams-3x2-1-600x400-c-default.jpg)
The first UW–Madison graduate of a precollege program for Native students gets ready to take his advocacy to the next level.
![Surrounded by carrots, onions and garlic, Naomi Moua helps a customer at her family’s booth at a farmers’ market.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2022/01/naomi-moua-thumb-600x400-c-default.jpg)
Read how Naomi Moua’s family values and Hmong culture inspired her to pursue a master’s in clinical nutrition.
![Yanci Almonte Vargas standing in front of Lake Mendota.](https://wisconsinexperience.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/09/vargas-yanci-almonte-1200-600x400-c-default.jpg)
After growing up in the Dominican Republic and the U.S., Yanci has arrived at the UW with a wealth of experience to share.