Greetings Panthers!

On an Urban Hike hosted by Focus Photography Club

Hello everybody! My name is Kenzie Hack, and I just wrapped up my First Year here at UWM! I just recently landed the job here at University Housing as a new Outreach Assistant. I'm working over the summer, especially during New Student Orientation (NSO). So incoming first year students, if you see me, don't be shy, say hi! It's been exciting for me to share my passion for UWM's campus with incoming first-year students and get them as pumped for college as I was when I came here.

I was born in Milwaukee, and in my childhood I grew up in suburbs that were Southwest of Milwaukee in Greendale. The rest of my adolescence I grew up near Waukesha, about an hour West of Milwaukee.

Behind the scenes of a shoot

After portfolio review during my sophomore year, I will be able to officially announce that I am a Photography major! I'm also going for a minor in Psychology. Before I came to college, my intended major was going to be psych. After I toured our campus here, I fell in love with the facilities Peck School of the Arts has to offer. My first year I was part of an LLC - Living Learning Community- at Cambridge Commons for Art & Design majors. This was one of the best experiences I had because of all the close friendships I made. I also joined and eventually became an Officer of UWM's Focus Photography club on campus. I recommend getting involved in any way you can! I was able to meet so many upper-year students through our club, and although saying goodbye to the seniors was hard, I'm always grateful I had a chance to make those connections.

Exploring the sights of downtown MKE

Getting involved has also given me an opportunity to be a professor's studio assistant, which has been a more than amazing experience. My professor now even has his work up in an exhibition at the Haggerty Museum of Art on Marquette's campus! Helping Mougel create the works was a hectic job, but well worth it after having seen the final product up on the wall. Be sure to check out the show before it closes on September 17th 2017. It includes the work of 5 emerging and established Milwaukee artists who all had
won the Mary L. Nohl award.

Photographs I've made during my first year of college

After my junior year in high school, I was able to take part in a German foreign exchange that traveled through Germany for a month long trip. I miss my host family every day, along with the lifelong friends I've made during that experience. One thing I'm proud of UWM for is having the Study Abroad program as part of our Center for International Education. Because of the CIE, I don't have to cease my travels.

Photographs I've made during my first year of college

Another thing I have got to be most proud of UWM for is our accepting LGBTQA+ campus. UWM has been ranked one of the nation's top campuses for LGBTQ+ students, and is currently rated 4.5 stars by Campus Pride as an LGBTQ+ friendly University. Not only is our LGBT+ Resource Center located in the Union a safe space, but now at our University you can apply for a Preferred name. Students can officially be recognized by their preferred name or name-in-use at UWM. University Housing also has Inclusive Housing, where accommodations offer a welcoming space for students who self-select and self-identify as gender non-conforming and students who identify as allies. On top of that, UWM recognizes that students may choose to identify themselves with a gender that differs from the Male/Female designation that appears on government documents, and students are able to submit a Student Gender Identity Request Form. There are also events that are going on in Milwaukee and on campus year-round, such as the LGBT Film Festival, UWM Annual Drag Show, and UWM Pride Discovery Camp.

Photographs I've made during my first year of college

And last but not least, my favorite thing about UW-Milwaukee is that there's always  stuff to do  - check out our Bucket List! So most importantly, have fun these couple of years! College is a fresh start and a new, exciting experience.