April 2024 Featured Alumna: Chelsea Hamilton
April 2024 Featured Alumna: Chelsea Hamilton
March 26, 2024 by Office of Marketing and Communication Alumni
MEET CHELSEA (HOFFMANN) HAMILTON '06
Major: Psychology
Career: Grants Analyst at the Medical College of Wisconsin
Why did you choose WLC?
I came to Wisconsin Lutheran College as a transfer student at the beginning of my sophomore year. I was not sure what I wanted to major in at the time that I was transferring, so I was really drawn to WLC as a liberal arts college that would provide me with the opportunity to explore different options through my coursework.
Tell us about your favorite WLC experience.
My favorite experience was living with Mindy Scott-Schmeling ('06) and Nikki (Rardin) Bessert our senior year. We had so many fun times rooming together. I look back very fondly on our time spent together and our friendships. [Pictured: Chelsea's bridal party, which included Mindy, Nikki, and Jackie (Gerhartz) Kacmarynski '07, WLC's director of health services.]
Who is your favorite WLC professor or staff member?
Leanne Olson. She was an engaging educator, an incredible mentor, and really pushed me to excel during my time at WLC. I have so many wonderful memories of her classes and our chats in her office. Karen Plamann is another favorite. She was my mom's best friend in college and is also my godmother, so it was very special to me that I could stop by and say "hi" anytime.
What have you accomplished on your bucket list since graduation?
Since graduation, I have completed my master's degree in education with a focus on family studies. I have held multiple professional positions that aligned with my passions of supporting individuals with disabilities and impacting scientific and medical research. On a personal level, I have enjoyed traveling with my husband, Nate, to some of our favorite destinations. [Pictured: Chelsea and Nate in New York City]
What is next on your bucket list to complete?
My ultimate bucket list item would be to add a third dog to our family, but since Nate is not on board with that plan, my next bucket list item is a trip to Europe in a year or two.
"My time spent at WLC had such a huge impact on the trajectory of my life, including both my career path and meeting my husband, Nate. My family also has strong ties to WLC and a number of the faculty and staff. My mom worked at WLC for part of the time that I was at WLC, and now my older brother, Jeremiah Hoffmann, serves as the director of the college's Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Management program. As a result of the impact that WLC has had on my entire family, we established the Rhonda LP Hoffmann Scholarship in honor of my mom. The scholarship is given each year to a WLC student majoring in art."