
Here to elevate my family
Mike Hagel didn’t come to NWTC just for a degree – he came to build a better life for his wife and five children. He now serves as NWTC’s 2025 WTCS Student Ambassador.
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While pursuing associate degrees in the Design and Graphic Technology and Marketing programs at NWTC, Samantha Mirkes was living on her own and working two jobs just to get by.
Balancing rent, groceries, and school could have been overwhelming – but thanks to scholarships from the NWTC Foundation, she was able to focus on her education and thrive.
“Without the scholarships that I received, I would not be able to get the education that I did and really make my life better,” Mirkes said.
Mirkes graduated from NWTC in 2022, and she is now the director of marketing and communications at Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) – a role she says could not have been achieved without the support she received at NWTC.
“I am such an advocate for NWTC. It’s what got me to where I am today,” she said. “I feel like I’m thriving and doing everything I dreamed I could do.”
Mirkes’ story demonstrates the incredible impact scholarships have on students – not only helping them complete their education but also empowering them to elevate their careers and communities.
Learn more about NWTC's scholarship opportunities.
Mike Hagel didn’t come to NWTC just for a degree – he came to build a better life for his wife and five children. He now serves as NWTC’s 2025 WTCS Student Ambassador.
Samantha Mirkes found the support she needed at NWTC to pursue her education. Now thriving in her career, she’s a passionate advocate for the college that helped her achieve her goals.
Matt Kaczmarek, project manager/estimator and servant leader in his community, finds purpose in every project.