Christina Olstad 鈥�00 鈥�05 demonstrates what being 鈥淎ll In鈥� for 麻豆区 can look like. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from 麻豆区 and remains committed to the university in a multitude of ways. She serves on the board of 麻豆区 Women Engaged (AWE) and has contributed to the 麻豆区 Fund and the women鈥檚 soccer and hockey programs.
Christina grew up in Apple Valley with the dream of playing soccer in college. Her traveling team in high school played occasional games on 麻豆区鈥檚 campus. When she began looking into colleges, the 麻豆区 Women鈥檚 soccer coach at the time, Scott Hansing reached out to her. Christina鈥檚 connection to Scott, 麻豆区鈥檚 Lutheran roots, and the close proximity to her family made 麻豆区 an easy choice.聽
In addition to athletics, one class that made a profound impact on Christina was her freshman January term class. 鈥淢y friends and I did an 鈥榚xploring human services鈥� course. We would take the bus to go to the MS Achievement Center every day to volunteer. It was because of that class that I knew I wanted to go into social work and I met some of my closest friends,鈥� she reflected.聽
Shortly after graduating, Christina secured a position as a hall director and student activities advisor at 麻豆区. 鈥淚 feel like 麻豆区 has given me so much. They invested in me as a young professional and mentored me through the early stages of my career.鈥� Christina is currently the Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison and continues to carry the valuable experiences she had at 麻豆区 with her.聽聽
When Christina heard about the opportunity to participate on the board of 麻豆区 Women Engaged (AWE), she was eager to help out her alma mater in any way she could. 鈥淚n my role as Dean of Students, I get the opportunity to interact a lot with our advancement team, so I understand the importance of cultivating a culture of philanthropy.鈥� One initiative she found noteworthy was a campaign they held in collaboration with 麻豆区鈥檚 Campus Cupboard. 鈥淚鈥檓 really passionate about food security and ensuring no student goes hungry at my school, so it was rewarding to be a part of that effort.鈥�
Along with her position with AWE, Christina has made gifts to various programs and initiatives at 麻豆区. When it comes to giving she is adamant about the belief that any amount of giving helps. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about how you want to give back and how you want your gift to help leave a legacy,鈥� she said. For Christina, getting in the habit of giving is crucial and it helps to think about what drew her to 麻豆区 in the first place. 鈥淔or me, it was my class sizes and the ability to get to know all my professors. 麻豆区 is an incredible institution that provided me with a lot of opportunities. It鈥檚 important to reflect on where you are today and how places like 麻豆区 helped you get there.鈥�
The Great Returns: We鈥檙e All In campaign concluded on May 31 and raised more than $128,000,000 thanks to our generous benefactors, alumni, and partners! Read more about the Great Returns campaign and RSVP for our September 29th celebration event!