Ambassadors are current School of Human Ecology students that are eager to give you the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a part of our community. They’d love to share their personal story with you and talk about the transition to college, what a class in the major is like, how to get involved on campus and more!
Current student ambassadors
Name: Ami Aranda
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Major: Human Development & Family Studies
Favorite major course: Parent – Child Relations (HDFS 471): Kristy is the best teacher ever, she really cares about her students. We got to choose a book on an area we were interested in, and it made class so interesting!
Favorite place on campus: The Student Activity Center (SAC) is underrated! The floor-to-ceiling windows are *chefs kiss*
Fun fact: My parents, 5 siblings and I all have uncommon A names!
Name: Caroline Benson
Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Major: Community & Organizational Development
Favorite major course: My favorite course in the major is the Community & Organizational Development Leadership Symposium (CSCS 254) as I got to learn from many different alumni and individuals within the nonprofit field when they came into our lecture to present. This opened my eyes to the vast amount of opportunity within the nonprofit field and made me very excited for my career post-grad.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is picnic point! I love the outdoors and walking along the lake. Wisconsin only has a few months of warmth so I always make sure to take advantage!
Fun fact: I love to run and have run 3 half marathons! I am hoping to do a full marathon sometime soon.
Name: Katy Bouril
Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin
Major: Personal Finance
Favorite major course: My favorite major course so far has been Financial Coaching (CNSR SCI 355). The class is engaging and made me think about financial advising in a new way.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is Picnic Point because I love being on the lake and watching the sunset there. I also love Camp Randall on game days and the dock at Memorial Union.
Fun fact: I studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and Sweden, Stockholm over the summer!
Name: Ruby Farnham
Hometown: Superior, Wisconsin
Major: Human Development & Family Studies
Favorite major course: So far, my favorite course in the HDFS major has been Racial Ethnic Families in the U.S. (HDFS 474). The class dives deeply into systemic injustice in our country, and I have learned so much about supporting children and parents who face that injustice. No matter your major or career path, the information in this course is invaluable! Plus, my classmates and I always ended up in the most engaging, thoughtful discussions.
Favorite place on campus:Whether I’m reading a book on Bascom, studying with coffee on the Terrace, or taking a stroll down Lakeshore Path, you will always find me outside! In the winter, there are plenty of great indoor study spots, but as soon as the sun comes out, I love our campus’s many opportunities to get a breath of fresh air amidst finals, club meetings, and general life craziness.
Fun fact:My birthday is on Halloween!
Name: Keziah Fredenburg
Hometown: Berlin, Wisconsin
Major: Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Favorite major course: Introduction to Retail (CNSR SCI 257)
Favorite place on campus: The terrace. I love the lake, the water, the people, the chairs, the food, the music… everything about it makes me so happy and grateful to be apart of this Madison community.
Fun fact: I’m left handed!
Name: G Green
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
Major: Design, Innovation & Society
Favorite major course: I don’t have one right now, but I’m really looking forward to Design fundamentals I (DS 120)!
Favorite place on campus: SoHE rooftop terrace! Nothing beats being able to soak up some sun in between classes and while bouncing in between the studios!
Fun fact: I not only model but I also DJ as side hustles. While they may be side jobs they have been great creative outlets and further expressions of myself!
Name: Olivia Jacobson
Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota
Major: Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Favorite major course: Consumer Engagement Strategies (CNSR SCI 561) because I found all the different ways to engage consumers really interesting and it drew on my psychology major too!
Favorite place on campus: Union South because I work there and I love all the different study spots.
Fun fact: I love to bake!
Name: Ava McKenzie
Hometown: Amherst, Wisconsin
Major: Interior Architecture
Favorite major course: I loved Visual Communication I (DS 241) with Professor Wei. The course teaches you drawing and other skills to help you visualize design ideas. Before the class I was nervous because I didn’t have much sketching experience, but the class is so engaging and hands-on! Plus, I still use the skills I learned on a daily basis, and they’ve been incredibly helpful in my other major courses.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is the greenhouse in Horticulture Hall. I discovered it last year, and since then it’s been one of my favorite secret study spots! It’s only a few minutes away from SoHE, and during the winter months especially it’s nice to go there and be surrounded by the plants in a warm atmosphere.
Fun fact: I love frogs! Ever since I was little, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with them and growing up I had a ton of pet frogs and toads which drove my parents crazy. Even now one of my favorite weekend activities is going and seeing the amphibians at the Henry Vilas zoo – which I totally recommend to check out!
Name: Brian Mondi
Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin
Major: Personal Finance
Favorite major course: My favorite major course I’ve taken is Consumer Finance (CNSR SCI 275). This was one of the first courses I took at SoHE, and it was when I realized that Personal Finance major was right for me. It teaches a wide variety of topics in Personal Finance that just about everyone will encounter in real life, and it serves as a great starting point.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is the Kohl Center. During a big Hockey or Basketball game, there’s an excitement in the air you can’t find anywhere else, and it’s the setting for plenty of unforgettable moments. I also enjoy the upper floors of College Library and Helen C. White hall. Their windows that overlook Lake Mendota are my favorite places to study with a view.
Fun fact:I don’t remember the last time I lost a game of table tennis!
Name: Tanner Newton
Hometown: DePere, Wisconsin
Major: Personal Finance
Favorite major course: Financial Coaching (CNSR SCI 355); this course directly correlated to what I want in a career, and I took the most from this class compared to any other course.
Favorite place on campus: Kohl Center. Hockey games are a blast, and it is an atmosphere like no other
Fun fact: I can solve a Rubik’s cube in under 30 seconds
Name: Clara Padgham
Hometown: Neenah, Wisconsin
Major: Textiles & Fashion Design
Favorite major course: Apparel Design I (DS 225). I loved the opportunities for creativity and the various projects provided so many learning experiences.
Favorite place on campus: No place is better than the terrace! I love sitting by the lake and enjoying my favorite chicken caesar wrap.
Fun fact: I worked at a factory that made the Harry Potter chocolate frog cards.
Name: Finley Peterson
Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Major: Textiles & Fashion Design
Favorite major course: I loved Apparel Design I (DS 225)because we really got to see how collection development works from start to finish, and honed in on industry-relevant skills such as tech flats and cross-collaboration with our peers.
Favorite place on campus: I love to go for walks on Lakeshore Path because it’s the perfect place to escape into nature.
Fun fact: I love to look for four leaf clovers! And I’m very good at finding them…
Name: Belle Raffa
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, New York
Major: Personal Finance
Favorite major course: Financial Coaching ( CNSR SCI 355) has been my favorite major course because it allowed me to grow my communication skills and help me apply it to my future career in financial planning. I have been able to effectively communicate with my classmates as if they were real life clients, which is an irreplaceable experience!
Favorite place on campus: Bascom Hill is my favorite in the Spring and Summer seasons because I can have picnics and soak up the sun, which is an escape from long days at class.
Fun fact: I worked at Ben and Jerry’s in high school and it was my favorite job!
Name: Myah Strohfeldt
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin
Major: Community & Organizational Development
Favorite major course: My major Symposium (CSCS 254) is my favorite because you get to hear from nonprofit organizations doing work in Madison and learn about different positions and fields in the nonprofit sector.
Favorite place on campus: The Memorial Union Terrace is my favorite place on campus, especially in the warmer seasons. You can see the entire lake and there’s always music and activities.
Fun fact: My favorite food place in Madison is Gotham Bagels!
Name: Maya Susa
Hometown: Hudson, Wisconsin
Major: Interior Architecture
Favorite major course: My favorite major course so far is Visual Thinking – Form and Space (DS 140)! In this class I learned how to use professional software while also working on my hand drawing techniques. It was so fun to experiment with the different software programs and I met so many great people throughout the year as well. I also had the opportunity to create a website in this class which was awesome. It was so rewarding to see all my final projects on my website at the end of the year.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is Memorial Union because of the amazing atmosphere! I love grabbing ice cream here with my friends and enjoying the view of the lake. My roommates and I also love watching sunsets at the Union when the weather is nice.
Fun fact: I’m a huge animal lover and have 2 dogs and 3 cats!
Name: Clara Weeks
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Major: Interior Architecture
Favorite major course: Interior Design II (DS 322) has been my favorite course so far! I learned so much in such a short amount of time and had so much support from my professors. The course taught me a lot about the software I will be using in my field and we did some amazing and super engaging projects with them.
Favorite place on campus: State street is probably my favorite place on campus because of the food and people. It’s a great place to study with friends and go out at night. I love walking around during fall semester to see all of the trees change color and in the spring during the night market.
Fun fact: I have broken 3 bones.
Name: Smeera Zaveri
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Major: Design, Innovation, & Society
Favorite major course: So far, my favorite course has been Consumer Behavior (CNSR SCI 657). This course provided a unique insight into consumer behavior. It covered both broad and specific topics, such as the influence of social class on consumer trends. I enjoyed learning about theories like the trickle-down theory and how they relate to consumer perceptions and behavior.
Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is Memorial Union! Growing up in Madison, my friends and I would always grab some ice cream and then head to the docks to relax and chat. Even now in college, if the sun is out, I am probably somewhere at the Union w/some friends and a sweet treat!
Fun fact: Last summer, I went abroad to Japan and met a tattoo artist who also loves Central Cee!