Kari Hagenow recently completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lakeland University, coinciding with the approach of her 30-year high school reunion. She utilized Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program to earn 17 academic credits through her job as personal lines operations manager at Ansay & Associates, including seven credits during her final semester by working 280 hours on the job.
Hagenow, a resident of Neenah, Wisconsin, has worked at Ansay for 23 years and was promoted to her current position as she began pursuing her degree at Lakeland. She manages staff and customer service processes across seven central Wisconsin locations for the company.
She also holds an associate degree in business management from Fox Valley Technical College, which she earned in 2024. Hagenow learned about Lakeland’s Co-Op program from advisor Beth Boardman and found it well-suited to balancing work and study.
“I was learning my new job as an operations manager and applying what I was doing and learning as well,” said Hagenow, who attended classes online through Lakeland University’s live format.
“The exercises I did when I was taking Co-Op credits helped me reflect on what I was doing day-to-day and helped me learn. You’re not just working to get credits; you’re reflecting on your day and your week.”
After graduating high school as a young mother, Hagenow postponed college until later in life. As she progressed in her career at Ansay & Associates, she recognized the need for further education.
Her husband Jesse served as an example; he is an operations manager for Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. in Appleton and a two-time graduate of Lakeland University with degrees completed in 2008 and 2017.
“I wanted to show my kids that it was possible,” said Hagenow. “My son had graduated and I wanted to show him, ‘Hey, it’s never too late.’”
