When Kelly Wogtech came to Southeast four years ago, she was undecided on her major.
“Choosing a major was one of the biggest challenges I faced at Southeast because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she said.
However, after switching her major several times and exploring different options through the University Studies program, Kelly finally ended up in the education department. It was here where she found everything she wanted in a career and changed her major for the final time to secondary education. From there, she realized math was her strongest subject, and decided to become a high school math teacher. This fall, Kelly will be doing her student teaching at St. Charles West High School and Ritenour High School.
Throughout her time at Southeast, Kelly has been involved in many student organizations including Alpha Phi Omega, Presidential Ambassadors and Opening Week Student Leaders. She also worked on campus in the President’s office and New Student Programs. In addition, she was honored as a finalist for Woman of the Year last fall.
“My time at Southeast has helped shape who I am today. It is through my college experience where I gained my own values and beliefs on everything from politics to cuisine,” Kelly said.
Kelly has also enjoyed the sense of community that Southeast offers. For example, she says that it is a rare occasion when she doesn’t see a familiar face walking around campus. In the classroom, she feels the professor-student relations are great.
“Several faculty members have become great mentors to me and I continue to keep in contact with them,” she said.
Kelly’s favorite thing to do in Cape Girardeau is spend time at Capaha Park, either playing catch or reading. She loves to read, particularly Jane Austen and Henry James. She also enjoys movies, music and shopping.