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A University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumna has been applying her experiences and knowledge to studying abroad and telling current students about the opportunities her alma mater has to offer.

UW Oshkosh alumna Tracy Wilichowski ’12, of Marathon, took her passion and skills to The London School of Economics, where she is earning a master’s degree in development management.

Wilichowski started her collegiate career by attending UW Oshkosh, where she double majored in history and philosophy with a minor in social justice. She was part of the University Honors Program and traveled to Japan with the Guy Healy program to teach English. She also traveled to India, where she broadened her volunteering experience by working with the Desire Society, which aims to educate and house children with HIV.

During her time at UWO, she ran the Philosophy Club and was the legal services program director. Wilichowski also earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship.

After graduation, she joined Teach for America (TFA). TFA allowed Wilichowski to teach high school for two years in Miami Gardens, Fla.

“I wanted to fuse experiences with studying abroad and Teach for America with an international development path,” Wilichowski said.

Next, she decided to build on her  TFA knowledge and study outside of the U.S. with a Rotary scholarship.

Wilichowski attends The London School of Economics and will graduate in December 2015. She attributes her success not only to her experiences outside of UW Oshkosh, but also within.

University Honors Program Director Laurence Carlin said he recently led an honors class, Culture Connection, to study abroad in London over interim break. While his class was in the city, Carlin had Wilichowski speak to the students about what she has done since graduation.

“Wouldn’t that be great for them to talk not only to a graduate student but someone who can tell a story about how she got to The London School of Economics,” Carlin said. “She told that story over there and [the students] were riveted.”

Wilichowski said the involvement with the honors students was a great way to make connections with current students.

“When I was in school, I never met one  (alum),” she said. “I think it would be a strong component to add to a lot of the programs at Oshkosh. It would strengthen the alumni network.”

Carlin said UWO campus community can be proud of Wilichowski.

“She tells a marvelous story, not just for the Honors Program, but as a Titan,” Carlin said.

Wilichowski currently works on a project for the UK’s Stabilisation Unit for the promotion of women’s participation and gender equality in post Arab Spring countries. She also works with UnLtd India to assess the effectiveness of the company’s business model in areas near Mumbai to determine avenues for improving service delivery.

After graduation, she wants to either work with an international organization out of London or work as a project manager in a developing country.

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