Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU

Cait Williamson ’11: Turning a Love for Wisconsin’s Outdoors into a Conservation Career

Cait Williamson ’11, director of conservation programs for the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, leads strategic initiatives that support conservation efforts and environmental education programs across the state.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, Williamson developed a passion for wildlife and conservation at an early age. After moving to Wisconsin for her undergraduate studies at Lawrence University and becoming involved with the campus outdoors club, she fell in love with the state’s outdoor diversity—from the North Woods to Devil’s Lake and the landscapes in between.

Cait was drawn to Lawrence by its engaged and collaborative community. “The students were just so thoughtful and engaged in the classes,” she said. “It felt like a very dynamic place for students.” While in college, she embraced opportunities to explore her interests, including an internship with the wolf management team at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

After graduation, Williamson chose to remain in Wisconsin and began her career in environmental consulting. She later earned her MS from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received the 2023 Rising Star Alumni Award.

Cait has maintained a strong connection to Lawrence through the Diversity in Conservation Internship Program she created. As director of the program, she recruits students historically underrepresented in the conservation field from Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. When the program launched, it included three Lawrence students. Today, it serves about ten students each year.

Reflecting on her time at Lawrence, Cait remains grateful for the foundation it provided. “I absolutely loved Lawrence,” she said. “It’s a place of opportunity, and I’m someone who likes to take full advantage of whatever possibilities are available. Lawrence does such a good job of creating those opportunities for students.”

Our Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU Achievers accomplish great things.

As a first-year student at Beloit College, Lily H., from Beloit, initially planned to major in business management. The flexible course offerings, along with encouragement from advisors to pursue courses that interested her, allowed her to explore new areas.

After taking content creation and marketing courses, Lily realized that economics and math would provide the foundation for building a career rooted in her passion for the creative process and connecting with audiences through a variety of strategies.

She now plans to declare a marketing major, a new program at Beloit College, with a minor in visual studies.

“With this Wisconsin Grant, I am able to take advantage of more and different options available for students on and off campus,” she says.

Read more about Lily and other Wisconsin Achievers at https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/info/publications/

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Guided by Purpose: Dr. Malika Siker’s Journey from Residency to Impact

From residency to leadership, Dr. Malika Siker’s journey is a powerful example of what Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU make possible.

A graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin’s (MCW) Department of Radiation Oncology Residency Program, Dr. Siker chose MCW for its world-class reputation, rigorous clinical training, and commitment to cutting-edge research. Just as importantly, it allowed her to stay rooted in Wisconsin, building a career in Milwaukee while remaining close to her community.

During her residency, Dr. Siker experienced a pivotal life moment. “I gave birth to my first child,” she says. “It was intimidating to consider how to adapt to life as a new mother, given the demands of being a resident. Fortunately, my department had several female role models, including co-residents, faculty, and staff, who shared with me valuable advice and support.”

Today, she pays that support forward, mentoring others as they navigate similar transitions.

Dr. Siker is affiliated with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, where she practices radiation oncology. She finds purpose in every aspect of her work, from guiding patients through their cancer journeys to mentoring the next generation of physicians. “It is a meaningful privilege to share these vulnerable moments with patients,” she reflects, emphasizing the human connection at the heart of her profession.

Her message to prospective students is clear. Wisconsin’s private colleges open doors to opportunity, innovation, and impact. “The state of Wisconsin needs brilliant professionals who seek to develop the innovations of tomorrow to advance transformative change in our region from health to tech to beyond, Dr. Siker adds.

“Through these diverse networks, there are so many opportunities to make a local, regional, or even global impact. Our institutions have the tools and resources to help any student reach their dreams and challenge them to become their best.”

Ripon College Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Patrick Willoughby has been named a recipient of the 2026 Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Funded by the Alliant Energy Center Foundation, the award honors educators who shape future leaders by going above and beyond to connect with students, bring their subject matter to life, and inspire a lasting love of learning.

Pictured with Dr. Willoghby, left to right, are Ripon College President Dr. Victoria N. Folse, Alliant Energy representative Ms. Shirley Stibb, and WAICU Executive Director for External Affairs Rebecca Larson.

Congratulations to Dallan Lopez, Ripon College’s 2026 Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr., Achievement Award recipient. The award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, community engagement, and strong potential for future professional impact.

Pictured from left to right are Ripon College President Dr. Victorica N. Folse, Dallan Lopez, Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU Executive Vice President for External Relations Rebecca Larson, and Alliant Energy representative Ms. Shirley Stibb.

Congratulations to Edgewood University accounting major Yair Perez Ruiz, the recipient of the 2026 Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr., Achievement Award. The Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr., Achievement Award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, community engagement, and strong potential for future professional impact.

Pictured, left to right, are Aimee Davis, vice president for marketing and communications and customer operations at Alliant Energy Corporation; Yair Perez Ruiz; Chris Albert, lecturer in the Edgewood University School of Business; and Eric Fulcomer, president of Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU.

Committed to Community: Andy Kitslaar, Ripon College ‘06

Long before he was leading Alliant Energy’s corporate foundation, Andy Kitslaar ’06 was assisting fellow students at the Ripon College recreation center and guiding prospective families across campus as an admissions tour guide. Those early roles, alongside a packed schedule of student group involvement, helped shape a career rooted in leadership and community impact.

Ripon is a tradition in Andy’s family. His three siblings and a brother-in-law all attended the college. While pursuing a BA in environmental studies and politics and government, along with a minor in biology, Andy took advantage of numerous campus opportunities. He served as president of the student activities committee, participated in a fraternity, and held roles in the admissions office and the president’s office.

“My experience working in the president’s office led me toward institutional advancement and the completion of a Master of Education in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University,” he shared.

Prior to joining Alliant Energy in 2022, Andy held key advancement roles in higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Haverford College, and Gettysburg College. He served as an alderman for the City of Monona for four years, bringing a thoughtful, community-centered perspective to local governance.

Today, as manager of community affairs and executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation, he continues to focus on building partnerships and strengthening communities while overseeing the company’s philanthropic efforts.

Andy speaks highly of his time at Ripon and the importance of Wisconsin’s private colleges.

“Ripon College and a liberal arts degree not only prepare you with an academic education, but also make you a well-rounded individual who is knowledgeable, skilled, and comfortable moving into a career in any field, even outside of your major,” he says. “A liberal arts education makes you ready for anything.”

Tanzil Idrisi ’25: From Beloit College Classroom to AI CEO

Tanzil Idrisi, a recent graduate of Beloit College's Class of 2025, is already solving problems that challenge major e-commerce brands. As CEO and CTO of Convertive by Outhad AI, he is building AI systems that predict customer intent using live behavioral data to convert anonymous website traffic into real buyers.

His entrepreneurial foundation was laid at Beloit College, where he was drawn to an environment that allowed his ideas to be seen, challenged, and supported. In addition, Tanzil said Beloit College provided the opportunity to be part of a small campus where students are encouraged to build, lead, and explore across disciplines.

In his role, he leads both technical development and overall product strategy across AI systems, infrastructure, customer experience, and business growth. He also helped raise a $250,000 pre-seed round from a Milwaukee-based venture capital firm to support Convertive’s product development and go-to-market expansion.

His interest in this field began while working at a startup during college, where he noticed that, despite large amounts of customer data, companies still struggled to understand why customers were leaving without making a purchase. That curiosity pushed him deeper into his computer science studies at Beloit, taking courses that provided a technical foundation in machine learning and systems engineering. His work at Beloit also allowed him to apply analytical problem-solving to real-world challenges, including research through the DAAD RISE program in Germany.

“Choosing a small, independent college in Wisconsin gave me the space to grow both technically and personally,” Tanzil said. The college’s liberal arts approach prepared him for the multifaceted demands of entrepreneurship. “Beloit encouraged interdisciplinary thinking. It gave me the foundation to move from being a student of computer science to becoming a builder and founder,” he added.

Edgewood University Professor Sarah Stolte, Ph.D., second from left, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Dr. Stolte, an alumna of the university, serves as associate professor of art history in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Funded by the Alliant Energy Center Foundation, the award honors educators who shape future leaders by going above and beyond to connect with students, bring their subject matter to life, and inspire a lasting love of learning.

Pictured from left to right are Aimee Davis, vice president for marketing and communications and customer operations at Alliant Energy Corporation; Professor Stolte; Carolyn Ayers, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Eric Fulcomer, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Photo courtesy of Edgewood University.

The 2026 Higher Education Summit – Wisconsin concluded with a thought provoking fireside chat featuring Peter Lake of Stetson University College of Law, pictured second from left, and higher education strategist and author Elliot Felix, pictured far right, who challenged attendees to rethink the role of colleges and universities in a rapidly evolving world. The session was moderated by Blaze Bowers of Drexel University.

At the heart of the discussion was a powerful call to action: to embrace change with intention rather than hesitation. Lake and Felix highlighted the enormous opportunity ahead for campuses to serve as engines of positive societal impact, spaces where innovation, policy, and purpose converge.

Attendees left inspired by a forward-looking vision of higher education, one where institutions harness both technological advancement and human insight to lead, adapt, evolve, and thrive in the future.

The 2026 Wisconsin Higher Education Summit - Wisconsin, hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU, and Wisconsin's Technical Colleges, and held May 19-21 at the Memorial Union in Madison, brought together more than 260 leaders nationwide to discuss timely issues in higher education.