College of Education Award Recipient

YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWARD

Colleen K. Ryan, Ed '10
Milwaukee

Marquette taught Colleen to set goals and hold herself to high expectations — something she is now teaching to her own students.

Colleen knew she wanted to attend Marquette after visiting her brother, Stephen, on campus. “I instantly felt how welcoming the community was, and I knew from there that I wanted to be a part of that,” she says.

After graduation, Colleen felt a calling to give back to those who need it most. She began her career as a substitute teacher, taught for four years and quickly advanced to become an instructional coach with the Hmong American Peace Academy, a Milwaukee charter school. As an educational leader, Colleen has been recognized by her colleagues and students for making a major impact on the lives of the children she teaches. She has been nominated for Wisconsin Teacher of the Year and for the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship — honoring her for the outstanding impact she’s had in her school community.

“I define success by setting goals and working hard until I accomplish them,” Colleen says. She also credits her experience at Marquette for instilling in her a vision of excellence, faith, leadership and service. “I have been very blessed to have many role models who have set examples of living this mission. I believe I am living this mission by continually trying to strengthen my relationship with Christ, so I am able to serve as many as I can,” she says.

Fun facts:

Dream dinner guest: The disciple Peter

Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact: Dr. Karen Evans — “She was the one who showed me how building relationships can impact a person’s education so much.”

Favorite Marquette memory: Going to basketball games. “It is so fun to see how many people support Marquette years and years after attending. I am still a season ticket holder and enjoy going to the games to this day.”