After high school, she felt she wasn’t ready for college and instead chose to serve in the United States Navy as a sonar technician.

“I love the person who I turned into because of it,” she said. “I wouldn’t change it. It gave me independence. It taught me how strong I really am.”

After four years, she moved home and began the process of figuring out what she wanted to do next. Caitlin said she had put so much of herself into her service that the military had become her whole identity, and it was time to find herself again.

Her mom suggested to her that she go to school, and this time, Caitlin was ready. She felt a calling to become a nurse, and she chose NTC because of the high quality of the nursing program and the welcoming atmosphere of the institution. She said she loves her instructors, and she has been able to meet other nontraditional students like herself, which has made her feel at home at NTC.

“I feel like for the first time since the military I’ve found my purpose,” she said. “I think having purpose in life is so important.”

After completing the nursing program at NTC, Caitlin would like to get into aesthetic nursing, with a dream to one day open her own medical spa. She said she is excited to see where her path takes her.

Caitlin has been selected as the school’s 2025 Wisconsin Technical College System’s (WTCS) ambassador.

“The interview committee was blown away by Caitlin’s story and impressed by how well she represented herself throughout the interview process,” said Shawn Sullivan, Director of Student Retention and Engagement. “As I have worked with Caitlin since her selection, I continue to be confident she will be a great representative of not only NTC, but the entire Wisconsin Technical College System.”

Each of the 16 technical colleges in the WTCS select one student each year to serve as the ambassador and participate in a leadership development and recognition program. The WTCS Ambassador program is designed to create public awareness and appreciation for technical colleges, highlight the technical skills, academic achievements, community impact and leadership of technical college students and graduates and encourage collaboration among state and local education, workforce and economic development and industry partners.

“Every year, these individuals share their unique stories, reflecting different backgrounds, perspectives, and professional goals and yet, there is a consistent theme of how impactful their attendance at a technical college has been for them,” Shawn said. “Common themes are always affordability, accessibility and exemplary faculty and staff that are all committed to helping students meet their goals.”

Caitlin said she is honored to have been chosen as NTC’s ambassador, and she is excited to meet the ambassadors from the other colleges and hear their stories.

“I am pretty spiritual and was wondering if I was on the right path, so I asked for a sign,” Caitlin said. “And then this happened. It really solidified there is a plan for me.”