Staff

Because we serve only 135 students, we have the opportunity to work one-on-one with each student. TRIO professionals get to know each student on a first-name basis and are personally committed to the success of their students. Such positive relationships are critical to the success of every TRIO program. TRIO seeks to provide a supportive environment while nurturing the academic and personal growth of each student. As a result of these strong positive relationships, many TRIO graduates periodically return to their programs to encourage and inspire current students.

Julie Janiak-Fenton
Director
(608) 758-6565 ext. 480
 See Julie if:
 -You want to become a TRIO member
 -You want academic, transfer, career, or financial aid advising
Julie's bio

Program Assistant
(608) 758-6565 ext. 450
 Call if:
 -You want to make an appointment with anyone on staff
 -You want to leave a message for anyone on staff

Dave Carlson
Advisor
(608) 758-6565 ext. 495
 See Dave if:
 -You want academic, transfer, career or financial aid advising
Dave's bio

Michael Wirkus
Writing Specialist
(608) 758-6565 ext. 465
See Michael if:
-You want help with any paper or speech
Michael's bio

Barbara Bendlin
Advisor/Math Specialist
(608) 758-6565 ext. 460
See Barbara if:
-You need help in any mathematics class
Barbara's bio

Staff Bios

Julie Janiak-Fenton
Director
M.S. College Student Personnel, Indiana State University
B.S. Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Welcome to the TRIO Student Support Services Program at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County! I am the Director of the program and I am responsible for the overall operation of the TRIO program on our campus. My goal is to meet the needs of the students while meeting the requirements of our federally funded grant.

In addition to the overall operation of the program, I get to serve as an academic advisor for students. As one of two Academic Advisors in the program, my primary function is to help students succeed. I do this by assisting with class scheduling, promoting early registration, discussing when to keep or drop a class, as well as exploring what is required of specific majors and careers. Staying in college is not possible without funding and I help students seek out scholarships and apply for financial aid. It is important to have 3-4 advising meetings each semester to address any of the above issues and more. Please know as advisors we are happy to listen to any concerns you might have as you navigate your way through the college experience.

I received my bachelor's degree from UW-Oshkosh and my master's degree from Indiana State University . I have worked on several college campuses and I have been here at UW-Rock since 1998. I guess you could say once I went to college I loved it so much I never left.

On a more personal note, I enjoy baking and you may benefit from that hobby as I like to share. I will look forward to getting to know more about you and how I can help you be academically successful.

Dave Carlson
Academic Advisor (Also, Coordinator of the Learning Support Center and Instructor in Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies)
B.A., Philosophy and Speech-Communication, Bethel College (Minnesota) M.A., A.B.D., Philosophy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Are you new to TRIO? New to campus? Wondering what kind of welcome you'll receive at UW-Rock County and from people in the TRIO program? I can tell you, from personal experience, that you might like it here so much you never want to leave!

In 1993, I came to UW-Rock County , and very soon I felt right at home. I left and worked elsewhere for a few years, but I came back because this is such a friendly and stimulating place. As an academic advisor for TRIO, I want to help you so that you will feel just as good about being here as I do.

As an academic advisor, I can help you plan your class schedule and keep track of both your progress toward the A.A.S. degree and the requirements of whatever transfer school and major you might be interested in. During the semester, I will keep in touch with you to be sure that you get any help you need in your classes.

Sometimes you might see me on campus wearing (at least figuratively) a different hat. I'm the Coordinator of the Learning Support Center , and I also teach summer and winterim courses. I love being involved in education. I have even been a middle-school teacher and a Montessori preschool administrator.

I am married, and I have two boys, ages 13 and 17. I coach cross country and other youth sports, and I am a big baseball fan. I do clicker training with my dog, and when I'm not on the go I like to read biography, history and the latest news and opinions on my favorite blogs. But that's enough about me. I look forward to getting to know you!

Michael Wirkus
Writing Specialist and Academic Advisor
B.A., English, UW-Madison
M.A., English, UW-Milwaukee

My job, as you can probably guess, is to assist TRIO students with their reading and writing skills. This is my fourth semester with the UW Colleges (It's my third semester with UW-Rock; previously, I taught at Parkside) and my first semester with TRIO. In addition to my TRIO responsibilities, I teach English 101 and 102. Like many of the students in our program, I too entered the UW System as a first-generation college student.

I primarily work with students in English 098, 101 and 102, but will gladly assist with any paper at any stage of the assignment. I believe that writing is a learnable skill, and the more students practice, the better they become, so I encourage those accepted to the TRIO program to see me early and often throughout the semester.

I commute to Janesville from Madison where I live with my wife Jessica, an oncology nurse and graduate student at UW-Madison, and our dog, a Chinese pug named Parker. I'm on campus Monday through Thursday. Outside of work I enjoy cooking, fantasy sports and reading. My favorite books are McTeague by Frank Norris, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole and the novellas of Jim Harrison.

Hi, I’m one of the Math Specialists for the TRIO program.  My goal is to help you succeed in your math course.  Sometimes you and I will find your math success by working out problems and seeing where the glitches are.  Or maybe we just need to work at translating math into a language (like English!) that makes more sense to you.   I’ll also work with you to help decrease any anxiety or unease you have about math.  Hopefully as we work together, you will succeed in every math course you take.

I’ve been employed at UW-Rock County for the past 11 years.  For the first 7 years, I tutored math for TRIO, then for the next 4 years, I taught Math 091, 105 and 110.  Now I’m back to tutoring for TRIO, and I’m only on campus part-time this year.

I’m married and have two adult daughters.  Outside of work, I enjoy biking, kayaking, growing perennial flowers, and reading.   I just took up making stained glass pieces this year, and I’m finding that to be really cool.

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