Marianne Sipe, Senior Director, Enrollment Strategy

With over 14 years of experience in and with higher education at the university and community college level, Marianne’s expertise has spanned the complete student experience—from prospective students to planned giving. This includes marketing and communications in admissions, financial aid, registrar’s office, advancement, alumni, Title IX, student life, athletics, early college credit, summer youth camps, continuing education, and general institutional visibility.  Marianne has a passion for enrollment management and the data associated with making sound enrollment decisions.

Marianne earned her MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. In 2023, she published the book Enroll More Now: An Essential Primer on Recruitment.

Today, Marianne works with institutions across the U.S., helping them strategize with marketing, communications, and internal workflows and technologies with a vision to maximize existing technology while creating and sustaining amazing student experiences.

Melinda Verdone

Dr. Melinda Verdone has extensive experience in program management, oversight of evaluation processes, program review, and technical skills attainment. In her current role as the Assistant Director of Program Development in the Division of Continuing Studies at UW-Madison, she oversees and guides the strategic development of noncredit programming. Melinda earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood College, Madison, WI. She holds an M.A.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, also from Edgewood College, and a M.S. in Microbiology from Northern Illinois University. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.

Noah LaMaide

Noah LaMaide is an Outreach Specialist at UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education & Outreach. A passionate advocate for AI technology, Noah frequently employs tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT in his professional work, promoting their benefits to colleagues. He played a pivotal role in organizing the AI Innovations at Work conference held at UW-Stevens Point in February 2024. Noah is eager to share how AI tools have enhanced his workflow and looks forward to helping you brainstorm ways to improve your own.

Mara Prausa

Mara Prausa currently serves as a Program Manager for Continuing Education on the UWSP at Wausau campus. She manages a diverse portfolio of programming including certificate programs, professional development workshops, customized trainings, conferences,  and personal enrichment classes. In addition, she loves to help plan and co-lead trips with UWSP Adventure Tours. She has worked for non-profit organizations most of her life and honed her skills in relationship building, collaborating, fundraising, sponsorship development, grant writing, and above all, problem solving through adaptability and creativity. Outside of work, Mara enjoys playing piano, running, hiking, biking, skiing, traveling, and baking. Usually you can find her “playing outside” with her husband, two children, and black lab.

Carie Winn

Carie has spent the past eleven years working as a major gift fundraiser and outreach specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, helping forward the objectives of the College of Professional Studies through private philanthropy and relationship building. Through her work, Carie has had the opportunity to hone her communication and people skills. Working at a university has also led to rediscovering the joy she experiences from being in an educational environment where people are focused on learning and discovering ways of making the world a better place.

In addition to her career, Carie serves on several boards, including the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, the Stevens Point Tourism Commission, the Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Point of Discovery School Advisory Board. Carie resides in Stevens Point, Wisconsin with her husband, two teenagers, dog, and cat. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys biking, running, skiing, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

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