Richelle Kasten

Get to know Richelle:

1. Where are you from?
I grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin! I then lived in Oshkosh for four years during my undergraduate studies, and have had the great opportunity of living in Madison since 2017.

2. Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies with an emphasis in environmental sciences and a minor in biology from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. As a first-generation student, completing my bachelor’s degree and, subsequently my graduate degree, wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of my advisors, mentors, friends, and family along the way.

3. What career were you interested in when you started college? How about when you graduated from college?
After discovering my interest in how pharmaceuticals affect the brain and body in my high school psychology class, I initially planned to become a biochemist to pursue pharmaceutical research. However, after realizing that organic chemistry just “wasn’t for me” and wasn’t how my brain liked to work, I explored my interests in other fields and found my passion for environmental sciences — particularly in botany, invasive species management, and conservation. My plan at graduation was to pursue graduate school in plant-related sciences and conservation, focusing on aquatic invasive species management and research.

4. What is the best advice you received as an undergraduate?
“Free” is your best friend in college! And doing things to get free stuff can help you explore! In my first year of undergrad, I attended most events or meetings that offered a free t-shirt — not only did I fill my wardrobe with college swag, but it also gave me the chance to dive deeper into new or continued interests. By the end of my first year, I found activities and extracurricular that brought me joy, gave me a sense of community, and/or furthered my leadership development. I stuck with most of them through graduation.

5. Did you go to graduate school or professional school after college?
Yes! I graduated with a M.S. degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from UW–Madison. After taking a gap year to work, I realized working full-time in a lab setting wasn’t the right fit for me. Reflecting on what brought me happiness and aligned with the work environment and dynamics I wanted, I found myself re-energized by my experiences and involvements in undergrad in student affairs, orientation, and leadership development. This led me to shifting my focus to higher education for my graduate studies and my career.

6. What did you do before you started working at the Hub?
I worked at Edgewood College in Madison for three years in career development services where I developed and administered an internship program that connected undergraduate students with internships at non-profits organizations, government agencies, and small businesses in the greater Madison area. This program also supported students with a stipend for their (otherwise unpaid) work. In this role I also fostered partnerships with local organizations and helped them develop self-sustaining internal internship programs or improve their current ones. A few jobs before that I worked at American Breeders Service (ABS) Global Genus as a production technician in a lab and then a quality control technician for about 1.5 years.

7. What is your job at the Hub?
My primary focus is to support prospective and declared undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry and microbiology, and to support both of the departments and colleges that we work within. In addition I host the Peer Mentor Program and do data collection and analysis, annual communication management, administrative tasks, and I support my colleagues in their specific roles. I have also instructed a section of BIOCHEM 100 (which was super fun and am excited to do again!) and enjoy taking on new projects and running programs or events.

8. What do you enjoy most about advising undergraduates?
As someone who enjoys fostering connections and providing individualized support to others, what I enjoy most is the trust and relationship I get to build with each student that I support — whether for one appointment or for their full undergraduate career. Each student that I meet with has their own story and journey that they need support and guidance on, and it’s rewarding to witness and have a part in their personal and academic growth, exploration of their interests, and celebration of their successes. I’m inspired to support students during this pivotal and dynamic time in their lives, and I’m motivated by the guidance I received from my own college advisors, who inspired me to pursue this career.

9. What advice would you give to a student declaring a major?
Be open and flexible to the options in front of you! Many majors lead to the similar outcomes, and sometimes the most common path to your career goals isn’t always the best fit for you or your learning style. Make adjustments as you go and don’t be afraid to ask for help or take time to explore. After changing my own undergraduate major four times (yes, four!), I found that trying out classes in areas that interested me and talking to advisors were great ways to narrow down my interests and to learn about opportunities within and outside of each major.

10. What advice would you give to students who aren’t sure what they want to do after they graduate?
It’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do after graduation! At the time of graduation, I knew my interests and had a general sense of what I wanted to do in the future, but I didn’t have a set path or timeline in mind. While also working full-time, I further considered my interests, including what I wanted out of a job, what fields could support those wants, and what steps I needed to take to get there. I have found that life has a way of guiding you where you need to be, even if it’s a bit stressful or uncertain at times!

11. What do you love about Madison?
I have loved Madison because there is truly always something to do, there are a lot of wonderful local shops, businesses, and artists to support, and it is rather bike-friendly! Additionally, this city and surrounding areas are beautiful (so much nature to be in!) and they hold a lot of history. There is always something new to eat or try and the live music scene and variety of venues are some of my favorites in the state.

The Quick 5

Favorite movie: (500) Days of Summer
Favorite book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Favorite food: Garlic bread
Favorite age so far: Honestly, I’ve enjoyed each age for their own reason!
Favorite hobbies: Crocheting, hiking, camping, and playing cozy video games