Daily Pioneer News

Kristin Shimpach was elected student senate vice-president for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the spring of 2003. Before she would commit to the responsibilities associated with her elected position, Shimpach wanted to be confident and fully committed to the students at UWP. She was able to begin her commitment to students immediately by staying in Platteville, through the summer, to plan, brainstorm, and meet with influential people on campus to prepare for the beginning of the academic year. Little did she know these responsibilities would also include traveling abroad as a UW Systems ambassador and UWP representative.

Shimpach recently returned from this opportunity where she traveled to Windesheim University in the Netherlands and Stavanger University College in Norway. The program being initiated allows UWP students to pay tuition and costs of living for Platteville, but actually attend school in another country. According to Shimpach, the faculty members who participated were able to "refine curriculum requirements to make sure students taking advantage of this experience can get proper credit for what they do overseas."

She is incredibly impressed with the program's development and looks forward to the opportunities this brings to students at UWP. Shimpach feels it was especially helpful to send a student representative who could focus more on student life on these international campuses, housing accommodations, and how UWP students can utilize public transportation. She was able to meet with students from each university to find out what types of activities students can participate in outside of class. "Overall, professors and students alike were very friendly, helpful, and lots of fun to be around," said Shimpach. "Because of this experience I will be able to promote the exchange program more to students, as well as ease any concerns they may have before they leave. It was a complete honor to represent the university in another country."

Shimpach is an early childhood education major with a minor in special education. She plans to graduate in May of 2005 and pursue a master's degree in student affairs. Shimpach is the daughter of Gail and Bob Shimpach of Boscobel.