Workplace learning helps LU student achieve academic goals
When an unexpected break from school threatened to disrupt her academic goals, Madi Irwin turned to Lakeland University and its customized approach to student learning to get back on track.
After graduating in 2021 from D.C. Everest Senior High School in Wausau, Wis., Irwin headed to DePaul University in Chicago for college. And while she learned a lot, she quickly found that the big city was not for her, so she returned to Wisconsin and took some time off to determine next steps.
“I didn’t want to give up on school,” said Irwin, who grew up in Appleton. “I was very motivated to continue.”
Irwin’s mother suggested she check out Lakeland, and she quickly found the customized approach that Lakeland delivers for students was a great match.
She was working as a youth development specialist with the Boys and Girls Club of America in Wausau, and her Lakeland academic advisor, Amy Pearce, introduced her to credit for prior learning, a program that allows students to create a portfolio to earn academic credit for professional work they’ve already accomplished.
Irwin, a psychology major, earned 10 credits for her credit for prior learning work, and that, coupled with taking four classes per semester, got her back on track to graduate in May of 2025, which was her timeline when she enrolled at DePaul.
“At first, I did not understand credit for prior learning – it sounded too good to be true,” Irwin said. “It was such an accessible experience to earn credit for your work. It really opened the door for me.
“Lakeland’s goal is to be an accompaniment to someone’s life, and credit for prior learning supports that. It allows you to dive into what you do in the workplace and why it’s important in your schooling. For any student looking to fulfill certain requirements, falling behind or starting late, credit for prior learning is the way to go.”
Irwin credits Pearce for showing her how to achieve her goals. “I really wanted to graduate on time,” Irwin said. “Amy went above and beyond by laying out all the options for me and letting me navigate my studies the way I wanted to.”
Lakeland’s variety of ways students can access courses was also a good fit. Irwin said the pandemic showed her that she flourished with online courses, so she’s taken all her LU classes online.
“The biggest thing I knew coming into Lakeland was they strived to be harmonious with work and personal life,” said Irwin, who’s now working as a behavioral technician at Skylight Autism Center and living in Mosinee, Wis.
“I’m a very social personal and value my mental health. I need a healthy balance between school, work and personal life. At Lakeland, you can live your life while going to school.”
After completing her bachelor’s degree next spring, Irwin will enroll in Lakeland’s master of arts in counseling program and focus on clinical mental health counseling. Her goal is to become a licensed clinical therapist.
“I have always wanted to help people and been fascinated with the mind,” Irwin said. “The internship hours I need as part of my master’s degree need to be with three different organizations which will help me see where I want to be and what I want to do.”
Lakeland has been a total package for Irwin in helping her get back on track and heading toward her career goals.
“The No. 1 thing I took away from Lakeland is being so supportive and encouraging,” Irwin said. “The faculty and advisors have allowed me to feel like a human who has her own life and things that matter to her as opposed to school is the end all be all
“At Lakeland, you’re respected as a person as well as a student. School is a part of my life; it is not my sole identity.”
