Temperatures are rising, finals are approaching and the class of 2025 will soon be filing into the Williams Center for the spring commencement ceremony.
For Jodi and Nick Galvan, this occasion holds even more meaning. Nick will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain management, and his mom, Jodi, will be in attendance as more than a proud parent. As a faculty member, Jodi will not only be at the ceremony but in her own regalia.
“Most parents never get the opportunity to walk in their college regalia with their children,” Jodi said. “And I have the opportunity to do it with not one, not two, but all three of my sons.”
The Galvans are lifelong Warhawks. Jodi received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-W and has been teaching at the university for over 20 years. Nick, Jodi’s youngest son, is the last of three to follow in their parents’ footsteps and graduate from Whitewater. Nick is a lifelong Warhawk himself, first coming onto campus when he was just a week old at the Children’s Center.
Jodi and Nick have been connected in many ways, from sharing a birthday to sharing a graduation day. Jodi is also graduating on the same day with a doctorate in higher education leadership from Alverno College.
“It’s both our special days, and that’s kind of always how it’s always been,” Nick said. “It’s a full circle moment and proof that determination knows no age or timeline.”
As for the future, Nick was hired before graduation and will begin his job as an account manager at Direct Supply in Milwaukee.
“I’m also thinking about going back to school in a couple of years and possibly getting my MBA to further advance my career,” Nick said.
Jodi has no plans to leave UW-W soon and hopes to use her new degree to give back to the university.
“The reason why I went back to school is because I want to change policy in how we offer online courses to students,” Jodi said.
Jodi says there is a need for instructional designers to design better online courses based on student voice and what they need and want in online classes, a topic she focused her research on.
Wherever their paths may lead in the future, the foundation Whitewater has provided will always hold a place in their hearts.
“I’ve made some lifelong friends, and I think Whitewater, especially the college of business, sets you up with networks through the job fairs, events and the organizations like AMA that eventually helped me get my job,” Nick said.
“Whitewater really does set students up for success,” Jodi said. “I’ve been in the communication department for over 20 years, and I probably have the best colleagues on the campus.”
For Jodi and Nick, graduation day represents not just academic achievement but the celebration of a unique bond. As they prepare for their big day and don their respective regalia, their story embodies the Warhawk spirit of perseverance, excellence and making a positive impact on their community.