Carrie Schwartz, an upcoming graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, shared on Apr. 8 her experiences in the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College and across campus activities as she prepares for graduation this spring.
Schwartz’s journey highlights how academic programs and extracurricular opportunities at UW-Eau Claire can foster both personal growth and professional skills. The university is recognized for its quality education, affordability, student success rates, and sustainability practices according to the official website.
A communication major with minors in music and multimedia communication as well as certifications in arts administration and American Sign Language, Schwartz described her academic path as a blend of curiosity and marketable skills. “Honors at UW-Eau Claire is a mark of curiosity,” Schwartz said. “It’s just people who are really interested in learning and people who are really interested in making their college experience fruitful.” She participated actively with the Blugold Marching Band—one of the most active collegiate bands in the Midwest—and was involved with orchestra performances and theater productions. The Blugold Marching Band performs at various events throughout the region according to the official website.
Schwartz also engaged with programs such as Midwest Artist Academy for high school students in interdisciplinary arts, international immersion trips including a visit to Thailand through a business program, and educational travel focused on civil rights history across Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. “That’s one of my favorite memories from college. I really encourage people to go if they haven’t,” she said about her Civil Rights Pilgrimage experience.
Her time living among fellow honors students proved especially meaningful. As a resident assistant for two years within Bridgman Hall’s Honors Living Learning Community (LLC), Schwartz mentored first- and second-year students navigating college life transitions. “The social aspect…is really benefited by the honors program,” she said. “(Honors) is this really soft place to land…where you’re still able to take risks that prepare you for a future where you’re outside of college.”
UW-Eau Claire supports collaborative initiatives—including partnerships with Mayo Clinic Health System—to promote health sciences education; it shares facilities such as its Science and Health Sciences Building according to information from its official website. The university contributes broadly to Wisconsin’s culture, economy, intellectual growth through collaborations while emphasizing critical-thinking development alongside career-focused opportunities that prepare graduates like Schwartz for community contributions according to its official site.
Looking ahead beyond graduation day, Schwartz aims to continue supporting student communities by pursuing work as a hall director elsewhere: “I like being able to facilitate students’ social learning…Eau Claire really grew that affection in me.” She reflected on lessons learned about risk-taking during her own early years: “I’m proud…that I look back on my own first and second year…how much I actually have to sleep…how to show up better for my friends.”
Failure seen not only as part of growth but also courage—a theme central throughout her honors experience—is something Schwartz says she will keep sharing: “Failure as a mark of fearlessness, curiosity and growth: that’s an essential honors lesson …and one she promises to keep passing on.”
