Milwaukee Leadership Team

Edie comes to College Possible after several years as the director of fund development for SHARP Literacy, a Milwaukee nonprofit that helps urban elementary students learn to read and write. In her role, she was responsible for raising the funds to cover the operating budget each year, as well as securing donors for several special projects. She worked closely with the 18-member board of directors, and significantly increased the directors’ engagement and activity with the organization, as well as the amount of funds raised. She also worked with outside co-chairs for the annual campaign and fundraising luncheon, and secured the largest major gift for the annual campaign in the organization’s history.

Before joining SHARP Literacy, Edie served as vice president of Public Affairs, Marketing & Communication at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC). In this role, she lead a team of six full-time team members and several part-time college students who were responsible for special events, website, college magazine, public relations, media relations, government relations, strategic planning, employee communication and speech writing. She was a contributing member of President’s Cabinet, and worked directly with Board of Regents. Prior to WLC, Edie served in marketing, communication and publishing roles for major Milwaukee-based corporations, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and M&I Bank.

Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Edie came to Milwaukee for college and received her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. She went back to Iowa for graduate school, but missed the excitement and old-world charm of Milwaukee, so she returned after receiving her master’s degree in communication at the University of Iowa. She has a 16-year-old son who keeps her on her toes, and recently married her college sweetheart. In an attempt at leading a balanced life, she carves out time each day to read for pleasure, loves the Milwaukee Brewers and opera, is looking forward to hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon this spring. She is excited about joining College Possible and being part of such a force for good on the education landscape in Milwaukee and the nation.

Kelly Schaer, Program Manager

Kelly is the program manager of College Possible Milwaukee. She works with the AmeriCorps coaches in Milwaukee, supporting all aspects of programming in the Milwaukee office, including our partner high schools, our college team and our community relations team.

Kelly is a licensed school counselor and has worked in several Milwaukee high schools. Her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is in educational psychology with an emphasis on school counseling and her bachelor's degree is in biology and psychology from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Kelly moved to Milwaukee from Illinois to participate in Lutheran Volunteer Corps. As a part of Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Kelly worked in an urban church with families immersed in poverty. Through this experience, Kelly became passionate about social justice issues and walking with the people of Milwaukee to form a stronger community.

Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Wendel, her two children, Steven and Devin, and two cats, Layla and Cecilia. Kelly also likes reading, attending the many free concerts and activities in Milwaukee and hanging out with friends.Top

Aileen Aragones, High School Program Coordinator

Aileen is excited to return to the College Possible Milwaukee team as the high school program coordinator. In this role, she will support eight AmeriCorps members serving in high schools all over Milwaukee.

Aileen grew up in Naperville, IL and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history and religious studies. During her college experience, she pursued different means of understanding educational policy issues, working in elementary school environments, as well as with individuals with various emotional and behavioral disabilities. Impassioned to improve educational access for all, she moved to the Twin Cities after graduation, serving her first term of service with College Possible. When told that the organization would expand to Milwaukee, Aileen jumped at the chance to be closer to her friends and family, and she happily agreed to help College Possible grow to serve the Milwaukee community.

Since her time as an AmeriCorps member with College Possible, Aileen has earned a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership from Marquette University. While there, she gained important knowledge not only in educational policy and theory, but also in research methodology. She also became involved with some local non-profit organizations, finding new means of bettering the city she has grown to call home. In her spare time, Aileen enjoys attending many of the festivals and events throughout the Milwaukee community, as well as running along the lakefront and cooking what she finds at the local farmer’s markets. While she has been in Wisconsin for about eight years now, there is no denying who her heart belongs to-she can often be found in orange and blue, cheering for her beloved Chicago Bears.Top

Staci Hamilton, College Program Coordinator

As the College Program Coordinator at College Possible Milwaukee, Staci works with the AmeriCorps College Coaches to help College Possible students persist to graduation.

Staci recently finished her master's degree at Marquette University in educational policy and leadership, with a focus in college student personnel administration. During her time in graduate school, she was able to gain experiences in several areas of student affairs, including: residence life, orientation, and financial aid. Prior to moving to Milwaukee, Staci was an admissions counselor at the University of St. Thomas, where she also did her undergraduate work in writing-intensive English and vocal music.

In her free time, Staci loves to read (especially non-fiction and biographies!), sing, and explore Milwaukee. She is so excited to be part of the College Possible team, and looks forward to helping students realize their dream of going to and graduating from college. Top

Hannah Wallisch, External Relations and Operations Coordinator

As external relations and operations coordinator, Hannah is responsible for coordinating College Possible Milwaukee’s fundraising, communications and operations work.

Hannah grew up in Wisconsin and earned her bachelor's degree in English and women’s studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. She spent her college summers as a camp counselor and program coordinator for Crossways Camps—arguably the best summer job ever. Following graduation, Hannah moved to Milwaukee to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for America SCORES Milwaukee and has made the city her home since then. She comes to College Possible from a local arts organization, Danceworks, where she worked in development and marketing and spearheaded the organization’s social media and website efforts. Hannah spends her free time reading, baking, frequenting her neighborhood Alterra Coffee and exploring the city. She is thrilled to be at College Possible and looks forward to helping make college access a reality for Milwaukee youth! Top

Meet the Milwaukee AmeriCorps members.

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