Empowering Waukesha's Nontraditional Learners: Jasmine Freeman's Journey at WCTC

At Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), over 40% of the students are nontraditional, typically aged over 25. These students, including those with full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, or undergoing career changes, often encounter unique challenges in their education. Jasmine Freeman, who graduated in 2021 from the Human Resources program, represents this group.

Jasmine began her career as a general manager at Arby’s after high school, gaining early leadership experience. Although she earned a certified nursing assistant credential and took accounting courses at WCTC, she initially chose to focus on her career.

In 2016, Jasmine shifted her career to become a 911 telecommunicator for Waukesha County, later advancing to supervisor of the 911 Communication Center. These roles enhanced her leadership skills, motivating her to study human resources at WCTC.

Returning to college at 32, Jasmine initially doubted her academic fit but soon used her diverse experiences to connect with and mentor younger students.

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