When you meet Stephanie Hensel, you notice two things immediately: her determination and her joy. She’s the kind of student who lights up a room, even when the path behind her has been anything but easy.
This month, Stephanie will be graduating from UW–Whitewater with a degree in Accounting and International Business and preparing to start her career as a Tax Consultant at Deloitte. But the journey that brought her here started in a small town in northern Wisconsin and was shaped by resilience, family loss, and the belief in herself.
A childhood shaped by challenge and hope
Stephanie grew up in Suring, Wisconsin, a rural community of just 517 people. Life at home wasn’t simple. Her family struggled with addiction, financial instability, and the kind of challenges that force a young person to grow up quickly.
Her father, a single parent, was her constant source of encouragement. Every time she came home with a report card, he looked at her and said:
“You’re going to college. We’ll figure it out.”
But when he passed away while she was in high school, Stephanie suddenly faced preparing for college alone — without parents or financial support. She moved between guardianships with her aunt, uncle, and grandfather, while her mom remained out of her life entirely.
Still, she held on to what her dad told her: We’ll figure it out.
A fresh start at UW-Whitewater
Stephanie first looked at UW–Whitewater as a freshman in high school. She learned it offered the strong business program she wanted, and it was one of the most affordable options in the state.
But choosing UWW became about more than academics; it became her chance to build a life away from the cycles of addiction she had grown up around.
“Moving three hours away was the first step in my growth,” she shared. “It got me out and away from all of it.”
The moment she learned about the scholarship
Stephanie still remembers the day she found out she received the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars grant.Her first reaction echoed what many scholars feel: Is this real?
Sitting in her dorm room, she asked her roommate if it could actually be legitimate. Once UWW staff confirmed it, everything changed.
The FFWS support meant she didn’t have to worry about how she’d pay for another semester. And it meant she could say “yes” to opportunities that had always felt financially out of reach.
The grant helped make study abroad possible — not just once, but three times.
A world that opened up through study abroad
Stephanie’s study abroad experiences reshaped how she sees herself and the world, strengthening her confidence, expanding her worldview, and solidifying her desire to pursue a career in global business.
“Studying abroad allowed me to grow as a person. You learn skills you might not otherwise learn,” she said.
From Ireland — where she saw the ocean for the first time and braved the freezing water in a full-body wetsuit — to Costa Rica, where her professor secured funding so every student could participate, each trip stretched her in meaningful ways. And Stephanie, took a trip to Thailand after successfully advocating to earn credit for a global business competition. She even went on to win the competition!
Finding community and connection
Stephanie didn’t just show up to campus events, she invested herself fully in the communities around her. She built relationships with FFWS advisors, volunteered at the Lake Geneva tax clinic preparing returns for community members who couldn’t afford professional help, and cherished the creative FFWS Peer Mentor activities that brought students together — like coloring pages, cookie decorating, and the chance to pause during busy weeks.
And for the past 2.5 years, she’s poured that same heart for service into her role as a mentor in the Study Abroad Office, guiding other students as they explore the world-expanding opportunities that shaped her own journey.
The guide who helped her keep going
For Stephanie, FFWS wasn’t just a scholarship, it was a support system.
UWW’s Financial Aid Administrator and FFWS coordinator, Jackie Thomson, became a trusted advisor, checking on students, bringing hot chocolate, and reminding them that they belonged and were cared for.
“Jackie is the best! She takes all these students in as her own. I’m so lucky I got to work with her,” Stephanie said.
A future built on courage and opportunity
After graduation in December, Stephanie will begin her full-time position with Deloitte in July.
They have already paid for her CPA exam, and she’s on track to become a licensed CPA shortly after beginning her career.
This is the kind of future her dad always told her she was capable of and the kind of future she built through persistence and connection.
Her message to students facing obstacles
“Use the things you struggled with. It can be hard to write about, but sharing your experience can help you process and help others connect with you.”
“Apply for anything and everything — even $100 scholarships. It’s worth it.”
A note of gratitude
When asked what she’d want the FFWS Board or founders John and Tashia Morgridge to know, Stephanie didn’t hesitate:
“Thank you. Without this scholarship, I would not be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am or have the experiences I’ve had.”
The impact of FFWS’s belief in Stephanie is undeniable and lasting. Because someone invested in her potential, she’s now investing in others — creating a ripple effect that will reach far beyond her time on campus.