Carthage’s rising seniors have ignited their passions this summer! Read how their campus experiences gave them the confidence to achieve what’s next.
Diving into Nursing
Paul Busse ’25
Nurse Extern at UW Health in Madison Major: Nursing
Working as a nurse extern in the MedSurg float pool this summer has given Paul practical experience in general care in a number of settings within the University Hospital in Madison. On top of that, he has still had work-life balance to spend time with family and friends.
How did his Carthage experiences prepare him for this opportunity? The professors provided guidance (and recommendations!) to prepare him for a summer externship.
What excites Paul about his senior year? At Carthage, Paul can both be a nursing student and a student athlete. He looks forward to getting back into the pool for his final season on the men’s swim and dive team. Then in the spring semester, he will dive into a clinical immersion program!
Why Carthage? With small class sizes and approachable faculty, Paul feels he has been able to really retain what he is learning through the nursing curriculum. “I feel confident in my ability to make positive impacts on my patients as I begin my career post-graduation.”
Summer provides time for students like Brennen de Jong to take a deep dive into research. Through the University of Minnesota, Brennen will study why the North Atlantic Ocean is isotopically heavy in iron. As Brennen explains, “I plan to characterize processes that govern the ligand-mediated dissolution of dust and isotopic fractionation of iron within the North Atlantic Ocean.”
How did his Carthage experiences prepare him for this opportunity? He is working in an analytical chemistry lab this summer, so he appreciates what he has learned as a chemistry lab assistant and what Professor John Kirk taught him in the instrumental analysis course.
“Prof. Blaine has had the greatest influence on me during my time at Carthage so far, and I am very thankful to have her as my advisor.”
What excites Brennen about his senior year? Let’s see what the future holds! He is excited to hang out with Carthage friends before finishing up his undergraduate studies and graduating!
Why Carthage? The small sizes allow Brennen to get to know the faculty in the Chemistry Department. And, Lake Michigan has a soothing aura!
As a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) participant, Terrell will focus on a screenwriting project, “Crafting Speculative Narratives: Screenwriting for the Streaming Age,” under the guidance of Professor Jojin Van Winkle. SURE allows students to work on research on campus full-time for 10 weeks. He is also working on some short films and publishing his second novel.
How did his Carthage experiences prepare him for this opportunity? His mentors provided him with the tools and know-how to create a script that fuses together his major focus and minors into one exciting project.
What excites Terrell about his senior year? In his senior year, he will write, produce, and direct his first feature film! This combines everything that he loves to do and will give him experience that will help him to stand out.
Why Carthage? At Carthage, Terrell has settled into a group of peers with a similar drive and passion. He has been able to do things like literary publishing and film production.
“The people and the opportunities I have encountered here could not have been found anywhere else.”
Waukesha Civic Theatre hired Emily as an instructor for its Summer Academy. She taught students ages 4-14 to develop their performance skills which culminated in a final showcase! The job has allowed her to apply her love of musical theatre and the leadership and theatrical skills she has learned at Carthage.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? As a Carthage student Emily has soaked in her experiences as a student, actor, director, faculty fellow, and student employee. All of this combined has helped her to develop leadership skills, learn teaching styles and methods, and gain a network of supporters who are always available to help.
What excites Emily about her senior year? Senior year is when Emily will really put her knowledge to the test. She will complete her thesis projects while continuing to develop her craft.
Why Carthage? Emily has been able to compete as a Firebird athlete, travel the world, premier new theatrical works and receive incredible support and mentorship from Carthage faculty and staff. “Carthage has been the best school for me! It has allowed me to develop as a diversely skilled theatre artist.”
Working at a summer camp is a perfect fit for Kiannah, who loves watching kids expand their knowledge. She supports students as they explore art, sports, and science.
“I enjoy watching kids of various ages use their understanding, voice, and leadership.”
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Carthage’s Education Department and her involvement with the Office of Equity and Inclusion have prepared Kiannah to better understand that children have different mindsets, cultures, and feelings.
“Not only was I taught about the diversity of children and humans overall, but also how to understand those beautiful differences and connect.”
What excites Kiannah about her senior year? She will have a busy senior year student teaching in the spring and serving as the president of the Black Student Union.
Why Carthage? Kiannah is glad she chose Carthage because the staff and faculty (special shout out to the Office of Equity and Inclusion and her education professors!) show so much love.
“My experience at Carthage has been personal, full of excitement, achievements, and opportunities!”
In the summer before her senior year, Olivia fit in two memorable experiences: a study tour trip to New York City and performing in a cabaret-style show. “I have always wanted to go to New York.”
What excites Olivia about her senior year? When she returns to campus for her senior year, she will get ready for the fall musical, “Xanadu.” She is excited to see what other opportunities arise as a senior.
Why Carthage? Smaller class sizes gave Olivia the ability to form closer relationships with students and faculty — which made her feel as though she received a better education.
Realizing this is the last summer before entering the “real world,” Danae chose to work a stress-free job at Culver’s. This gives her time to dog-sit and visit family. She is also taking time to prepare for “Xanadu,” which she will perform in this fall.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Being a double major in musical theatre and public relations, she has become more social and expressive. She leaves her summer job at Culver’s happy. She finds joy in providing a good experience for the customers.
What excites Danae about her senior year? She is excited for her senior recital, required as part of her musical theatre degree. “I am so proud of the progress I have made, and I am excited to put all of my work into one showing!”
Why Carthage? She has really connected with her musical theatre and public relations professors. “Carthage provided a fantastic learning environment.”
Spending three weeks in Spain through a J-Term study tour gave Jessica an opportunity to immerse herself in Spanish culture. At Carthage, she is majoring in Allied Health Science on the Pre-Occupational Therapy track while also studying Spanish as a minor.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? The valuable life skills and lessons Jessica has learned has helped her to become more independent and responsible. She looks forward to taking advantage of the opportunities and resources at Carthage in her senior year. Her Spanish teachers at Carthage “planted a seed of curiosity and helped me take a leap forward.”
Why Carthage? “I believe that Carthage has shaped me into a better person and has helped me reflect on how I can strive to be even better in the future.”
Working at Doctor of Physical Therapy and Spine is more than just a summer job. Kailey has gained experience in the physical therapy field beyond what she has already learned on campus as a student. The summer before her senior year has included some fun concerts, weddings and a trip to Nashville. When she returns to campus, she is ready to assist freshmen as an allied health science mentor, to play on the women’s lacrosse team, and work toward her goal of attending PT school.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Kailey appreciates how her advisor, Ashley Greenwood, has answered her every question and provided her with guidance — especially now as Kailey begins considering graduate school options. Plus, she has gotten to work in the athletic training room.
What excites Kailey about her senior year? Getting to experience everything one more time: first day jitters, making new friends in class, and playing on the women’s lacrosse team.
Why Carthage? She considers Carthage to be the perfect size. She has met best friends to walk to class with and appreciates how teachers know her by name. “Carthage was the best college for me because it checked all my little boxes and brought me so much joy.”
Solving Mysteries of the Universe
Justin Wheeler ’25
Summer intern at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Major: Physics Minor: Mathematics
As an intern at Fermilab, Justin works in the particle physics division assisting the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.
“My day-to-day activities include exploring neutrino physics, developing machine-learning skills, simulating particle interactions, and networking with a collaboration of physicists that spans over 35 countries.”
How did his Carthage experiences prepare him for this opportunity? Each experience has been a stepping stone leading to where he is now. The summer after Justin’s freshman year, he worked in the space science lab under Professor Kevin Crosby. The next summer he interned at NASA Glenn Research Center.
“I feel qualified and prepared for these opportunities because of the outstanding mentorship that I have received from my physics and engineering professors.”
What excites Justin about his senior year? As a senior, Justin looks forward to exploring possible career paths and learning more physics. He will also serve as president of the Rock Climbing Club and his fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He plans to play spike ball with his friends, too!
Why Carthage? Entering Carthage as an engineering science major, he soon realized that physics was more exciting to him. Changing his major was a breeze because of Carthage’s tight-knit community. Also, research in the space science labs opened doors.
“I’m very thankful for the Carthage faculty and students who have helped me become who I am today.”
The World Awaits
Alish McGuinness ’25
Working as a professional student nurse intern and as a research intern Major: Nursing
Alish practices her nursing skills as a professional student nurse intern at UW Health Northern Illinois’s Emergency Department. She is also a research intern as part of a faculty innovation grant to develop and evaluate the Trinity App for cancer survivors. In addition, she is a world traveler with summer trips to Virginia, Dominican Republic, and Ireland!
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? The guidance from professors has helped her get internships and on-campus nursing jobs.
What excites Alish about her senior year? A J-Term study tour in Norway and Sweden! The Comparative Health Systems: Priorities and Perspectives J-Term course will teach her about history, politics, economics, social values, and healthcare delivery models in these two Scandinavian countries.
Why Carthage? The faculty-to-student ratio made Carthage the best college because she has strong bonds with her professors and always gets the help she needs to succeed. The skills she has gained will make an impact on her future patients.
“The faculty helped me prepare for future leadership roles in nursing.”
Real Projects, Real Impact
Hunter Stout ’25
Internship with Engineered Exhaust Systems Major: Engineering
Hunter jumped right into a project on day one of his internship at Engineered Exhaust Systems (EES). He has designed a carousel to push warehouse carts around to test the cart’s durability. He is also working with the design team on an engineering solution for a large piece of landscaping equipment, saying, “Just goes to show that engineers make for great problem solvers to almost anything they come across.”
How did his Carthage experiences prepare him for this opportunity? Hunter transferred to Carthage as a sophomore and at first felt a little lost. The support he received from people at Carthage helped him narrow down what he wanted to study. Through his engineering courses, he practiced the engineering design process — going step by step to ensure all aspects of the project are considered. The classroom experience introduced him to EES. College has also given him the confidence to relocate to Port Washington for the summer, which has been fun to explore.
What excites Hunter about his senior year? The last few years flew by, and Hunter is now thinking about his next steps. For one, he will be applying what he has learned at EES to his senior capstone project. A few years ago, he may not have believed he’d ever be ready to apply for jobs, but he is now excited to send out resumes and figure out what comes next after college.
“It feels exciting to have the confidence to start applying to companies.”
Why Carthage? Carthage gives Hunter the hope that he can be the person he wants to be and the confidence to finally start mapping out what comes next.
“The individualized attention that Carthage has to offer was one of the most important factors to the success of my college career.”
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