It’s all about fit when choosing a college: the right educational offerings, the right academic rigor, and the right culture. Finding the right fit isn’t easy, but for Amber Bilitz, the choice was clear.

Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) was Amber’s perfect fit, and the Wisconsin Grant helped her afford her dream of attending the college. “I chose WLC because of its student-focused culture. The faculty, staff, and the other students have the hearts of servants,” said Amber, who is from Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. “The professors want us to succeed. They know our names and build relationships with us. WLC keeps its values in the center of the classroom.”

Since her arrival on WLC’s close-knit campus nearly four years ago, Amber has made the most of her opportunities at WLC. “I have been incredibly involved in the campus community and have taken on many leadership roles that I know I would not have pursued elsewhere,” said Amber.

In addition to her regular course load, Amber is enrolled in WLC’s Christian Leadership Certificate Program. “I wanted to start my career with the leadership skills I know are important to success,” said Amber. The program is designed for students seeking to strengthen their leadership skills through five semesters of learning, mentorships, networking, service projects, and self-discovery.

As a resident assistant, Amber has found passion and pride serving as a mentor and advisor to a group of 40 of her peers. “I truly enjoy building relationships and being a resource for them,” said Amber.

She further pursued her passion by developing a student-alumni mentorship program. The goal is to connect current students with WLC alumni/ae who work in their intended field. “Students can build a relationship while learning valuable professional skills that they can utilize in their future careers,” said Amber. “Having their mentors as resources while applying for internships or jobs will help minimize fear and stress and show students the importance of building their professional networks.”

In 2016, Amber was a part of WLC’s student-led team that was recognized as the winner in the KAPCO Charitable Challenge. The team’s project revolved around a statewide bike drive. They collected more than 260 bicycles that were then refurbished and sold to people in need of transportation. “My experience was humbling and the amount of people we touched through our efforts was nothing short of incredible,” said Amber, a business administration major who has been named to the Dean’s List multiple times.

With her May 2019 graduation on the horizon, Amber is even more confident she made the right choice. “Without the Wisconsin Grant, I wouldn’t have been able to attend WLC,” said Amber. “I have been given many opportunities to grow personally and to use my gifts to prepare me for a professional career.”