Tech is Transformative—
Leaving the comfort of home for the unfamiliar world of college can be scary. For many high school students preparing for this transition, the thought of reestablishing themselves in a new place, making new friends and choosing a career path that feels like it will ultimately shape their entire future is beyond overwhelming. For Shianne Reyes, of Randolph, this feeling was all too real.
As Reyes approached her high school graduation in the spring of 2021, she was not ready to leave the familiarity of her small hometown and decided to find a transitional option closer to home.
“Moraine Park was an easy decision,” Reyes said. “Not only did it give me the time and space to truly explore what is next, but it was the most cost-efficient choice for me.”
Reyes enrolled in the Small Business Entrepreneurship program at Moraine Park and attended classes both online and at the Beaver Dam Campus.
“I knew I was interested in business, but I wanted exposure to all aspects, including marketing, finance and business operations,” she said. “The program gave me exactly what I was looking for and ultimately helped me to select finance as my career path.”
In 2023, Reyes was preparing to graduate from Moraine Park with her associate degree, but she found herself ready for something more.
“I gained so much from my time at Moraine Park,” she said. “I left with more knowledge and the confidence to move on to bigger things.”
Her goal always was to earn a bachelor’s degree and through support services at the College, Reyes learned of Moraine Park’s seamless transfer opportunities. A few months before graduation, she met with UW-Milwaukee (UWM) to solidify a path for her.
“The transfer process was so easy and my credits transferred without any hassle,” she said. “I began my journey at UWM with enough credits to be a junior, and I was excited to have the opportunity to explore city life for two years.”
Reyes fully immersed herself in her experience at UWM. She moved to the city, made new friends and began her studies to become a finance professional.
“The foundation I built at Moraine Park helped prepare me for UWM,” she said. “The transition from small town to city, while challenging at times, has been a fun adventure. I’ve made friends and am really enjoying my classes.”
Reyes found support from both Moraine Park and UWM staff through her transition, elevating the overall experience. As an added bonus, she received four scholarships from UWM to help reduce financial stress.
“I left Moraine Park with no debt at all, so the idea of incurring college debt was a little stressful,” she said. “I was surprised to find so much financial support and am very thankful for the scholarship support I’ve received. I will leave UWM with very little college debt.
Reyes is scheduled to graduate from UWM in December of 2025 and plans to move back to Dodge County and pursue a career in finance closer to home.
“I’ve enjoyed experiencing the city, but at my core, I’m a small-town girl,” she said.
While she is still determining exactly what’s next after graduation, we know that the solid foundation she built at Moraine Park and the experience she received at UWM have helped set her on a path for success.
“I encourage all students to think carefully about their options and not to let the fear of missing out on the traditional college experience deter them from starting at a technical college,” she said. “The affordability and convenience of a technical college are significant benefits, and as a transfer student, I still feel like I received the full university experience.”
Start your journey at morainepark.edu/university-transfer.