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
608/758-6519
 See Julie if:
 -You want to become a TRIO member
 -You want academic, transfer, career, or financial aid advising
Julie's bio

Victoria Brown
Program Assistant
608/758-6519
 See Victoria if:
 -You want to make an appointment with anyone on staff
 -You want to leave a message for anyone on staff
Victoria's bio

Dave Carlson
Advisor
608/758-6513
 See Dave if:
 -You want academic, transfer, career, or financial aid advising
Dave's bio

Stephanie Fiorelli
Writing Specialist and Advisor (part-time)
608/758-5900
See Stephanie if:
-You want help with any paper or speech
 -You want academic, transfer, career, or financial aid advising
Stephanie's bio

Ann Trow
Math Specialist
608/758-6512
See Ann if:
-You need help in any mathematics class
Ann's bio

Barbara Bendlin
Math Specialist
608/758-4323
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.

Victoria Brown
Program Assistant
AAS, University of Wisconsin Rock County

Hello! I am TRIO’s part-time program assistant. Some of my duties every morning include greeting students, answering the phone, filing, and doing data entry. I help students set up appointments for advising and math or writing help. I also do similar work for the Learning Support Center (LSC) across the hall.
 
I was once a student in the TRIO program. I earned my associate degree in 2000. As a former TRIO student, I know how important the program can be, and I hope each of you will take advantage of all of the services we offer.

While I was a student, I studied watercolor, drawing, and photography—all of which I continue to enjoy. I also do wood-burning and other crafts. I love to travel, and each year I try go to Mexico to relax on the beach. I have one white cat, Molly, whom I just adore. She’s very nice to me because she lets me share living space with her. In my spare time, I am also an advocate for SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome) Foundation. I served four years on the Janesville Community Development Authority. I am a Parker High School graduate and a life-long resident of Janesville.

I wish you the best of luck with your studies at UW-Rock County, and I look forward to meeting you. Welcome to TRIO!

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!

Stephanie Fiorelli
Writing Specialist and Academic Advisor
B.A., John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
M.A., English, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH

Thinking: this bio had better be well-written, else my position as writing specialist might be put into question.

I'm Steph, and I'm a writing specialist and academic advisor here for TRIO. I teach Composition 102 here at UW-Rock, too. I'm also one of the three co-founders and editors of The Avery Anthology , which gathers new fiction from emerging and established authors. My point: I read and I write pretty much all day; or, I talk about reading and I talk about writing pretty much all day.

My goal as writing specialist is to make writing less intimidating and to offer students the confidence they need in order to become better writers. Once this happens, writing happens. I want to help students think critically and articulate themselves coherently. More importantly, though, I want them to want this.

I can help you out with any of your writing assignments and any questions you might have about the writing process. These one-on-one appointments can also provide a space for you to unleash your frustrations about writing. Go ahead, vent! It's fine by me. But be ready to get over it. Because writing is too valuable, too important, too beautiful a thing to waste. Don't believe me?

Then, it's time to make that appointment. Prove me wrong.

As for the academic advising role I play …

Just go ahead and read the stuff Julie and Dave wrote. Same thing.

I have 13 years teaching experience in secondary schools, both middle and high school settings, working with Algebra I & Algebra II students mostly while at the high school level; and Technical College experience over the last eight years teaching mostly General Math and College Algebra. I began teaching and tutoring math at UW-Rock County in October 2005.

My philosophy of education is that any student can learn who gives themselves a chance and perseveres to be the best they can be! I want to help achieve that goal by helping students in TRIO who are having a difficult time understanding their math, whether it is just one chapter or the entire course. I can hopefully re-explain what the instructor has taught, give extra notes or practice on a particular topic, and just re-emphasize the various methods for solving or simplifying the given problems.

My goal this academic school year is to get groups of students from the same class section in for common tutoring times. I look forward to helping meet the individual math concerns and career goals of UW-Rock County TRIO students while helping them feel more confident in their math abilities and knowledge.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children going to local town festivals, family school events, and camping.

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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