Tech is Passion—
When Cynthia Benzel graduated from high school, she carried more than a diploma. She carried a quiet determination to become a better version of herself.
Today, the Moraine Park Technical College nursing student spends her days learning patient care skills, serving in student leadership roles and representing her peers as the College’s 2026-27 District Student Ambassador. Just a few years ago, she described herself as someone who stayed in the background.
“I was someone who really stuck to myself,” Benzel said. “I went to work and went to school. I wasn’t involved in clubs or activities, and I realized I wasn’t making a lot of memories.”
While attending Fond du Lac High School, Benzel took advantage of dual credit and Start College Now opportunities through Moraine Park. The experience gave her a head start academically and helped her save on tuition, but the biggest impact wasn’t in credits—it was discovering where she belonged. Before graduating, she attended a Student Senate meeting at Moraine Park and quickly found a welcoming community that drew her further into campus life.
When she began her college journey, Benzel planned to pursue radiology. A conversation with a recruiter led her to complete a Certified Nursing Assistant course, and that decision changed everything. While working in a nursing home, she was drawn to the nurses around her and the pace of direct patient care.
Benzel’s passion for nursing is deeply personal. Living with chronic pain and watching family members navigate medical challenges gave her a lasting respect for caregivers and a desire to provide that same support for others.
“I find it easy to empathize with people who are struggling,” Benzel said. “The nurses were always there for my family members when they needed help. It’s nice to be someone who can help others.”
That purpose was affirmed during her first clinical experience at Harbor Haven in Fond du Lac. At the end of one rotation, a resident she had been caring for hugged her goodbye.
“She told me she was going to miss me,” Benzel said. “I still think about her and the impact that interaction had on me.”
While nursing gave her direction, involvement on campus helped her find confidence. One opportunity led to another, including Student Senate, Community Impact Crew, Student Nurses Association and ultimately her selection as the College’s 2026-27 District Student Ambassador.
“I’ve had an amazing experience at Moraine Park,” she said. “The people I found here are so welcoming and inclusive and I’ve grown so much because of the staff and peers. As someone who couldn’t speak in front of 10 people without wanting to cry, the student ambassador role means a lot to me because of how much I’ve grown. People here have been so encouraging and supportive of that growth.”
It’s a role that requires confidence, leadership and a willingness to speak up, qualities she once believed she didn’t have.
“I was very self-limiting,” Benzel said. “I told myself there were things I couldn’t do. Being at Moraine Park helped me eliminate those boundaries and become more than I thought I could be.”
