In January 2024, ATC provided two students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with $2,500 scholarships and matched them with ATC employee mentors.
The experience was equally rewarding for ATC Human Performance Manager Jenny Bradley, Senior Construction Project Manager Garrett Nyman, and students Mular Say Chris and Nadia Adams.
ATC is a Wisconsin-based company that moves energy along the regional electric grid in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, serving more than 5 million electric consumers. ATC employees are experts at what they do: planning, maintaining, operating and protecting the grid. As the electric industry moves toward renewable generation sources, ATC is transforming its system to continue delivering energy reliably and safely. The company proudly supports STEM education programs that empower youth with the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s energy workforce.
Partnering with College Possible aligns with ATC’s efforts to increase access to and awareness of STEM education and career opportunities. The non-profit organization works consciously to advance college equity as the majority of individuals they work with are first-generation college students with an average annual household income of less than $29,000. College Possible graduates report a median annual income between $40,000 and $60,000, with 98% of graduates employed. Students that participate in College Possible programming receive at least six years of free support, starting in their junior year of high school and carrying them through college degree completion.
Mentoring was an inspiring and rewarding experience
Jenny had the opportunity to mentor Mular during his last semester. He graduated from UW- Milwaukee in May with a bachelor of science degree in education with an emphasis in math, a minor in mathematical science and a certificate in cultures and communities.
He was recently hired by Pulaski High School in Milwaukee as a math teacher.
“I want to express my gratitude for the ATC mentor program. I have had positive experiences with teachers, tutors and mentors before, but the ATC mentor program surpasses them all. I feel extremely fortunate and honored to have been chosen by ATC,” says Mular.
Jenny checked in with Mular weekly via text and email, answering any and all questions he may have about his professional development. She connected him with ATC engineers, friends and family to offer different insight into his field. Upon graduation, she helped him edit his resume and will continue to mentor Mular as long as he will have her.
“The experience was very inspiring and rewarding! I attended his virtual graduation, and it was very fulfilling to watch him walk across the stage and shake hands with school leaders. I’m continuing to check in with him—I’m invested in his success now! College Possible is doing some very important and meaningful work that is changing lives,” says Jenny.
Real-world insights and connections benefit driven student
Garrett Nyman mentored Nadia Adams through College Possible this past year. Nadia is currently enrolled in UW-Milwaukee’s Lubar College of Business Accelerated Master’s program in marketing. She expects to earn both her bachelor of business administration and master of business administration degrees in marketing in May 2025.
Nadia started her own marketing freelance business providing marketing, content creation and business development services to small non-profit and minority-owned businesses.
As a result, she was named to the Class of 2024 Lubar 25, an annual program that recognizes 25 undergraduate students in the Lubar College of Business who stand out for their accomplishments in academics, entrepreneurship, leadership or campus/community service.
“I aspire to play a pivotal role in fostering positive change and sustainable growth for these impactful entities,” she says.
When Garrett and Nadia got paired, he wondered what value he could add as her mentor given how driven she was. He realized quickly that his real-world experience gave her a lot of insight into her questions about entering the workforce.
Currently a marketing intern at Direct Supply in Milwaukee, Nadia aspires to work in marketing for one of the big tech companies (e.g., Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, etc.). Garrett was able to connect her with some colleagues that could speak to her career of interest so she could ask questions to someone directly in the marketing field.
“It feels incredibly rewarding to share real world experiences with the next generation of the workforce,” Garrett says.
ATC plans to continue its partnership with College Possible, pairing two students and two ATC mentors in January 2025.
Interested in learning more about the ATC scholarship program? Learn more about the ATC’s partnership with College Possible Wisconsin.
