Eric Jessup-Anger

Dr. Eric Jessup-Anger is the director of the Center for Student Involvement. He hails Tomah, Wisconsin, a land which is known for its amazing cranberry fields and close proximity to Fort McCoy. He loves coffee, Christmas, New Years and enjoying Life-After-Dissertation with his wife and his two wonderful girls.

He arrived at UWM in 2009 after spending time working on college campuses in Ohio, Massachusetts, Colorado and Michigan. Away from work, he is all about the road trip, college sports, time with family and friends, exploring Wisconsin, enjoying Milwaukee and trying to make the world a little better of a place.

Tom Dake

Orignially from Michigan, Tom has nearly 20 years of experience working with college students. He has a master's degree in college student personnel (CSP) from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and has worked for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and most recently the University of California, Riverside. Tom was also employed at UWM from 1990 to 1996 in a variety of roles including advising student organizations, planning and implementing new student orientation and serving as the first liaison for lesbian, gay and bisexual student concerns. Tom is a sci fi buff and fan of the 1980's animated series Thundercats.

Jennifer Wentzell

Jennifer Wentzell servers as the office manager at the Center for Student Involvement. She has been with UWM for over 9 years, spending 7 years in the School of Education and 2 years in the School of Social Welfare before joining the Center for Student Involvement.

She holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences/psychology and Spanish from Mount Mary College and has a great passion for adventure and travel. She has studied abroad in Peru and traveled to many other destinations including Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and the Virgin Islands to name a few. She dreams of living abroad someday.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys hiking, reading travel magazines, trying new ethnic foods, and most importantly spending quality time with her family and friends.

Kirsten Leih

Kirstin Leih serves as an assistant director at the Center for Student Involvement. New to the UWM staff in 2011, Kirstin is excited to assist students as they connect to the many involvement opportunities on campus.

Kirstin is originally from Waukesha, WI, although she has also called Iowa home. She has a bachelor degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a masters in higher education from Iowa State University. Because she just can't get enough of the classroom, she is currently working on her PhD in higher education through Saint Louis University.

In her free time, Kirstin enjoys reading, baking, finding new restaurants, spending time with family, and attending Badger football games.

Poawit Yang

Poawit Yang is an established actor/musician/model, with roots in Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin. Discovered in the Milwaukee fashion scene, Poawit got his breaks as a model for notable fashion designer Ralph Lauren. With film credits too numerous to list and handful of successful musical collaborations, Poawit seems poised on the brink of super-stardom.

In his spare time, Poawit serves as the business manager for the Center for Student Involvement, where he brings a passion for learning and education along with over 7 years of progressive experience at UWM. His work prior to UWM is almost as long as his film credits and include: banking/mortgage industry, retirement planning, tax (individual and corporate), and an ongoing stint as a small business owner.

If you have any questions for Poawit or would just like an autograph, please stop in Union room 364.

Rick Clark

Rick Clark is one of the new assistant directors at the Center for Student Involvement. He was raised in Chicago, IL as a diehard Bears, Bulls, And White Sox fan. Rick has a master's of science degree in physical education from UW-La Crosse. His first job after graduation was teaching K-6 P.E. He has worked in the Student Affairs field since 1982 and the student activities area since 1991. His pride and joy are his two grandchildren, Mason and Jill.

Michael Spanbauer

Michael Spanbauer is a pretty big deal. He has many leather-bound books and his apartment smells of rich mahogany. When he is not conversing with his dog, Baxter, he studies economics and works at the Center for Student Involvement.

Michael was born in Menomonee Falls and was raised in West Bend. He has also lived (listed chronologically) in West Allis, WI; Chicago, IL; Pensacola, FL; San Diego, CA; Schaumburg, IL; Hoffman Estates, IL; Elmhurst, IL; and is now back in West Bend. This particular UW-Milwaukee student has never actually lived in the city of Milwaukee.

When not studying or working, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé, camping, going to the zoo, snowboarding, competitive running, and eating at the Bonefish Grill in Brookfield.

Sandra DuPont

Sandra DuPont is one of the student employees at the Center for Student Involvement. Sandra's major is information sciences and technology at the school of information studies with junior standing.

Sandra is originally from Germany and moved to the United States in 2007, she used to be a book trader in Germany and decided to make a career change.

When Sandra is not studying or working she likes yoga, reading, snowboarding, hanging out with friends, camping, and many more things. Sandra loves to travel and has been all over Europe. The next destinations on her travel to do list are Australia, Canada, and South America.

Jessica Sjoberg

Jessica Sjoberg is one of the student employees at the Center for Student Involvement. Jessica’s major is Graphic Design at the Peck School of the Arts with a sophomore standing. Jessica was born and raised in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and moved to Milwaukee in the fall of 2012. When not studying or working, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, watching TV shows, painting, drawing, traveling and cooking.

Lauren Thomas

Lauren Thomas is a new hire at the Center of Student Involvement, working as one of the Student Organization Training and Development Coordinators here at UWMilwaukee.  She recently graduated from Ball State University with a major in Communication Studies and is currently a graduate student in College Student Personnel Administration at Marquette University.  Lauren hopes to one day become a student affairs professional helping students realize all the amazing opportunities and experiences that a college education has to offer.

Originally from Lima, Ohio (yes the place where "Glee" is set), Lauren is excited to be living in such a new and exciting city as Milwaukee.  She enjoys exploring all the features Milwaukee has to offer, but prefers to do the things that are free because she is kind of cheap.  Lauren is a huge movie buff with a DVD collection well over 200.  She likes watching TV especially shows like The New Girl, The Mindy Project, The Voice, and Glee (I know, shocker right?)  Lauren also enjoys spending time with friends and family, craft projects done via Pinterest, reading, and of course, being the nerd that she really is.  

Danielle Croegaert

Danielle Croegaert is a graduate student working on Student Organization Training and Development with the Center for Student Involvement.  Away from the center, she is pursuing a masters in Higher Education Administration here at UWM.  After graduation, Danielle hopes to continue working in student activities like the awesome team here at CSI! 

Danielle is originally from Brown Deer, WI and graduated with a B.S. in Retailing and Certificate in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In her free time, Danielle enjoys shopping, trying new restaurants in Milwaukee, being inspired by Pinterest, traveling and going to musicals.  She is also an avid Badger fan and is looking forward to sharing that love for the Panthers!