Inspiring Graduate: Hanahh Eggum (’25)
- Hometown: Wautoma and Menomonie
- Degree: M.S. Training & Talent Development
Hanahh Eggum transferred to UW-Stout during her undergraduate years because it offered the only retail merchandising and management major in Wisconsin, which aligned with her career goals at the time. What she did not anticipate was how deeply UW-Stout would shape her personal and professional development, both while a student and after graduation.
Eggum earned her bachelor's degree in 2019 and worked in merchandising for a time before returning to UW-Stout in 2021 to manage the campus bookstore, StoutFitters. Her career then pivoted, and she went on to earn her master’s in training and talent development. She is now the orientation coordinator and project manager for the Dean of Students Office.
“This degree has allowed me to deepen my passion for student development, leadership, and creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences. I want to help create the same kind of welcoming, supportive, and empowering environment for future students that I was fortunate enough to experience myself,” she said.
With the Dean of Students Office, Eggum coordinates orientation programming and family events, trains and oversees student staff, and supports large-scale transition initiatives for new students and their families. She manages projects that strengthen communication, improve operational processes, and enhance student experiences.
“At the heart of these responsibilities is my commitment to building community and ensuring that every new student who arrives at UW-Stout feels seen, supported and confident as they begin their journey,” she said.
Eggum earned her master’s in training and talent development and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20 as one of 527 UW-Stout graduates, serving as commencement speaker for Graduate Studies. She plans to continue her career in higher education here at UW-Stout.
“Over the years, both UW-Stout and Menomonie have truly become my home. I’ve grown here, I’ve been supported here, and I’ve discovered who I am here,” she added. “The sense of community on this campus and in this town is incredibly strong, and it’s something I deeply value. Staying at Stout feels meaningful because it allows me to give back to the very place that transformed my life.”
How do you hope to make an impact in your role?
My hope is to support and help students feel the same sense of belonging, purpose and encouragement that I found at UW-Stout. When I think about the mentors, supervisors, and peers who guided me, I feel a strong responsibility to pay that forward.
I want students to know they belong here, especially in the moments when life feels scary, overwhelming or uncertain. College isn’t just about the good days, it’s about knowing you’re supported through the tough ones, too.
Whether it’s through orientation programming, individual support, or helping student leaders grow in their own roles, my goal is to create an environment where every student feels welcome, included, valued and capable of thriving. My goal is to build experiences that leave a lasting impact, just as the people here at Stout did for me.
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
UW-Stout’s polytechnic model has been essential in preparing me for a career centered on continuous learning, development and student success. The institution’s emphasis on hands-on, applied learning has allowed me to blend theory and practice in powerful and practical ways. Working in Student Life Services both as a student leader and now as a professional has provided me with real, meaningful opportunities to apply coursework directly to my roles.
Concepts I studied through my courses focused on leadership, staff development, organizational culture, assessment, and strategic planning, directly aligned with the work I do every day. Applying those ideas and concepts in real time strengthened my understanding, sharpened my decision-making, and helped me grow as both a student and a professional.
I have been able to consistently connect my coursework to real challenges and initiatives on campus. That integration of learning and practice prepared me to contribute meaningfully to the student experience from day one.
My program didn’t just educate me, it elevated the work I was already doing and helped me become a more confident, capable and student-centered professional.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
What stands out most is the way people at UW-Stout invest in students. I was encouraged, challenged, and supported in ways that reshaped my confidence and my sense of purpose. Faculty, supervisors, and colleagues consistently created spaces and provided opportunities where I could grow, whether through meaningful projects, leadership opportunities or honest conversations about my goals.
UW-Stout is unique because it doesn’t just develop students academically; it develops them personally and professionally. My experiences here helped me find my voice, discover my passions, my strengths and the confidence to pursue a path I never imagined possible for myself.
How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?
When I transferred to UW-Stout as an undergrad, I had no intention of making friends or getting involved. I knew that as a transfer student, I’d only be at UW-Stout for about two years and then go on to work in my chosen field, so truthfully, I didn’t see a point in getting involved.
Well, that clearly didn’t work out as I had thought. After one semester at UW-Stout, I became a resident advisor with Housing, and that role changed everything for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I went from being introverted, anxious about public speaking, and hesitant to connect with others, to finding a strong and supportive community that helped me grow into a confident leader.
As a resident advisor, and later a hall manager, I learned how to build communities, plan and coordinate events, support students through challenges, and serve as a resource and mentor. Those experiences taught me responsibility, empathy, communication and how to lead with purpose.
Working on and attending events and student-centered initiatives gave me a deep sense of belonging and helped me realize that I wasn’t just attending Stout, I was actually a part of Stout. Each leadership experience not only connected me more deeply to campus but also affirmed my passion for helping others, a realization that ultimately led me toward a career in higher education.
My time at Stout didn’t just build my résumé, it gave me a voice, a purpose and a home.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?
Earning my degree while balancing full-time work, graduate studies and responsibilities outside of school was challenging. There were late nights, moments of doubt and times when managing everything felt extremely overwhelming.
But by relying on strong support systems, staying organized, and giving myself permission to grow through the hard moments, I overcame those challenges. These experiences strengthened my resilience and reminded me why I care so deeply about student support, because I’ve lived it.
I know how transformative it can be when someone believes in you and encourages you to keep going.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
I am most proud of the personal and professional growth I’ve undergone over the years. I’m proud that I stepped into roles I never would have imagined myself in, speaking on stage, leading teams, planning large events and helping new students find their place at Stout.
I’m proud of the connections I’ve built and the moments where I’ve been able to support students in meaningful ways. Most of all, I’m proud and incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to give back to the institution that gave so much to me.
UW-Stout has changed my life more than I ever expected. It helped me find confidence, purpose, friendship and a sense of belonging that truly shaped the trajectory of my future. I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity, every mentor and every moment of growth this campus has given me. It is an honor to serve this community, to support new students as they begin their own journeys and to carry forward the impact that so many people made on mine. UW-Stout will always be my home, and I will always be StoutProud.
