Inspiring Graduate: Hailey Kollmansberger (’24)
- Hometown: Medford
- Degree: M.S. Ed. School Psychology
First-generation college student Hailey Kollmansberger returned to UW-Stout to pursue her master’s degree after earning her bachelor’s in psychology.
“Based on the warmth and knowledge of the cohort and its staff I experienced during the Graduate Studies interview process, I knew I was making the right choice by pursuing further education at UW-Stout,” she said.
Kollmansberger received her master’s in education in school psychology in a year and a half and graduated on Dec. 14, along with 510 graduates.
She will be entering the career field as a licensed school psychologist and is working toward her educational specialist degree.
“Hailey is one of our most energetic, eager and personable students. She is also outstanding academically and will be a fantastic school psychologist,” said Program Director Angela Axelrod.
How has your UW-Stout experience changed you?
Throughout my time in the school psychology program, I have felt an immense amount of support from staff members, which has contributed to building my own personal confidence in my abilities and knowledge.
Because of our small cohort size, I have been able to develop lifelong friendships that make the overwhelming days on campus feel lighter and more achievable.
I would not be where I am today without the staff at UW-Stout, and I now have the best of friends that I can turn to throughout the entirety of my career and life.
How well has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
I feel very prepared as I approach the window of job interviews. The whole first year of the program allows you to build a robust skillset prior to entering your practicum and internship in years two and three.
Before graduating, I completed a one-year practicum experience and a one-year internship experience. Each of the courses has played a significant role in the knowledge that I carry today and into my field experiences.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
The most outstanding experience about the school psychology program at UW-Stout is the relationship you build between the professors and the individuals within your cohort.
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 me 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.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree?
One of the biggest challenges that I encountered throughout my graduate program was conquering imposter syndrome.
Transitioning from undergrad to graduate school was night and day. I no longer was a face among others within a big lecture hall. I now was a person who my peers turned to for advice and a student who staff members looked at as a leader.
I have never been one to like the spotlight, yet I have never been one to be quiet either. 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.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
I am most proud of the confidence I have instilled within myself as I enter into a career I have been dreaming of since I was in high school.
