Join us to hear from guest speaker and 2017 51���� alum Brianna Hoskins, a financial advisor at Baird’s Besaw Hoskins Group. We’ll discuss the best ways to build strong financial habits and savings. And to help on both counts, we’re even giving you a free lunch! Just be sure to register now to start laying the foundation for your best financial future.

Thursday, April 23, 2026 | Noon-1 p.m.

Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts – Room 250
2419 E 51����.
Milwaukee, WI

All attendees are required to register in advance.

Questions? Contact Zach Mock at zrmock@uwm.edu | 414-251-7231

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Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 10-11 a.m.

51���� Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts

51���� Alumni Association Board member and planetary scientist Darian Dixon, a 2015 graduate, will welcome you to the event. You’ll also learn about the 2026 Senior Class Giving Campaign and what to expect as an Alumni Association member. But most of all, we’ll take some time to reflect on your many accomplishments and the promising paths that will carry you forward.

Advanced registration is required.

Questions? Contact Zach Mock at zrmock@uwm.edu | 414-251-7231

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 is 51����’s exclusive networking platform, a virtual gathering place for students and alumni seeking mentoring and employment opportunities that offers access to job fairs and job boards. It’s also your gateway to , an online career assessment tool that helps with things like matching your strengths with promising career paths, evaluating your current role, and helping prepare for job interviews. 

These are indispensable tools for 51���� alumni, and when combined with the expertise and resources available in 51����’s Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET), they give 51���� alumni deep insights into themselves and their career paths. 

“The real value of PathwayU is the reflective conversations with a career advisor afterward,” says Laurie Marks, SET’s executive director. “It’s talking through, on a real, practical level, what those PathwayU results mean.” 

This is doubly true for mid-career alumni, who require a different type of advising than young graduates taking their new degrees into the workforce. 

“They’re often career-changes,” Marks says, “or they’re folks who have been in the same position for three years and wondering what they need to do to advance.” 

That’s why, once the PathwayU assessment paints a baseline picture, 51����’s career advisors help color it in with important details. They’ll talk through, for example, what someone wants their daily role to look like or what problems they want to help solve. They’ll try to connect the client to someone already in a company or industry that might be a match. 

They become, simply put, partners who walk the path alongside the alumni who come to them for help. 

“We really want to harness the feelings that arise from being anxious or unhappy in your job and turn that into productive energy,” Marks says. “We want to get people connected to a life path that’s going to be fulfilling.” 

Marks also notes that networking is more important than ever in the job market, because people are gravitating toward hiring those already in their orbit. It emphasizes the importance of a platform like Panthers Connect, and it’s also why SET advisors focus on helping clients learn how to better make connections. 

SET’s services are available for all 51���� students and alumni. For alumni who are 12 months beyond graduation, there’s a nominal $50 fee for SET’s career services, which includes three advising sessions, PathwayU guidance, a resume review and working toward a practical plan.  

Getting started is as easy as making an appointment through SET’s website. 

“It sounds kind of lofty, but we all can do anything in life, and many people put up mental barriers about what they’re capable of,” Marks says. “But every day, people make career changes. It’s really just being coached about how you still do it with the barriers.” 

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But as Gunawan began work on her MBA, she realized that boosting her professional network and social skills could pay off after graduation. When she learned about , 51����’s exclusive mentoring and networking community, she was excited by the possibilities. 

That’s how Gunawan ’24 connected with Tammy Tucker ’03, who has enjoyed a long career in civil engineering. Tucker is director of markets and senior project manager at CBS Squared Inc., a woman-owned engineering and architectural firm, and is always open to growing her own network. She saw Panthers Connect as a great way to stay up to date on all things 51����, and thought mentoring would be another way for her to give back to the community. They’re both thrilled to have found each other. 

Applications for the 51���� Alumni Association’s Mentoring Program, now in its fifth year, are open through Oct. 1. It’s an ideal way for students to better prepare themselves for the job market and for alumni to share their experiences and wisdom with the next generation of Panthers. The program is designed to seamlessly fit into participants’ busy schedules, requiring only a total of six hours each semester, and mentors receive guidance on how to help their mentees. 

Tucker and Gunawan began their yearlong formal mentoring relationship in the Fall 2024 semester, and it’s worked so well that they’ve continued it into the Fall 2025 semester. “Initially, I was scared – worried about what should I try to talk about or will it be an awkward conversation – because I had never done this,” Gunawan said. “But Tammy was very friendly, and it was a very good first impression. I feel very grateful for her support.” 

On the surface, a business student interested in corporate finance might not seem like the most natural mentee pairing for a mentor who’s a civil engineer. But Tucker and Gunawan have focused on developing the type of soft skills that transfer across a variety of professional specialties. 

For example, Gunawan is originally from Indonesia, and English is her second language. So she’s emphasized developing her communication skills, and part of that has involved working with Tucker to improve her interviewing and presentation techniques. Tucker also helped Gunawan in other areas, like how to best go about finding jobs and updating her resume. 

“I love that I can share my wealth of experience, and then Patricia takes it and runs with it,” Tucker said. “Being able to see her grow and utilize some of these recommendations that I’ve provided, and just supporting the next generation of professionals, I think is really important.” 

Gunawan sees the mentoring pay dividends not only in her current internship but also in building confidence and laying the foundation for her long-term career. Tucker emphasizes how easy the program makes it for people to get involved, and the ability to do virtual meetings means it doesn’t matter that Tucker is based in the Green Bay area and Gunawan is in Milwaukee. 

“It’s really been neat to see our relationship grow,” Tucker said. “I would say if you’re looking to grow within the community, give back to UW-Milwaukee, and share the skills you’ve learned throughout the years, I just think it would be a great opportunity for you to mentor students.” 

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Thursday, April 3 | 12-1 p.m.
51���� Student Union-Fireside Lounge (new location)

This event is free and lunch will be served.

Register at:

Registration is requested by Monday, March 31.

Questions? Please contact Zach Mock at zrmock@uwm.edu.

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Enjoy a unique experience with professional networking and an engaging panel discussion, followed by the opportunity to connect directly with industry experts across diverse STEM sectors.

Wednesday, March 26 | 2:00 p.m.

Event Timeline:

2-3 p.m. – Professional Panel Discussion
Hear from a panel of STEM professionals representing industries such as engineering, architecture, construction, natural and physical sciences, computers and technology, and actuarial science.

3-4 p.m. – Networking Hour
Engage with alumni and peers, fostering meaningful connections and career opportunities.

Participants are encouraged to join at any time that fits their schedule. Whether you drop in for part or stay for the entire event, your presence is valued!

Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is sponsored by 51����’s:

• Alumni Association
• Center for Student Experience & Talent (SET)
• LGBTQ+ Resource Center
• Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

Questions? Please contact Lauren Standish at standis4@uwm.edu.

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