MEET NICOLE (MOLINE) BALZA '99

Major: Communicative Arts; Minor: Business Administration

Current Role: Communication Projects Manager for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

If you could relive one day from your college years, which would it be and why?

The snow day from my freshman year because it was an unexpected day off that my friends and I filled with silly activities. We had no responsibilities, so a day off from school meant we were carefree. We played in the snow in the Quad, drank hot chocolate, watched movies, and played games in the old student union. It was perfect.

Who at WLC impacted you the most? 

My two best friends, Amy (Goetsch) Helmrick '99 (pictured, left) and Jenni (Potratz) Heins '00 (pictured, right), impacted me the most because I could be the best version of myself with them. I learned who that is. They encouraged me in my faith, helped me grow in so many ways, and were always up for silly fun.

What’s your proudest accomplishment since graduation?

The family that Rob ('98) and I have built. It's all a blessing from God, but I'm proud of the choices we've made and the paths that our kids are on. Our oldest is even a WLC Warrior now.

If you could give your college-age self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be patient.

What song instantly transports you back to your WLC days?

Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" because Rob and I danced to it at the end of the year party my freshman year. Then he put the CD in my mailbox before he left for the summer.

What’s one thing you hope future Warriors experience that meant a lot to you?

Daily chapel, because it's such a touchpoint for the campus community as a whole and then for each individual student who attends.

Finish the sentence: “Being a Warrior means…”

Being a Warrior means being a Christian servant leader.