‘When people ask, “What do you want prayer for?” I’m like, “Visa.”’

Noli Alithia Pakka graduated with a master’s degree in biomedical science from UW-Milwaukee in spring of 2025 after earning a bachelor’s degree in India. While preparing to apply to dental school, she is currently an intern at Marquette University’s School of Dentistry. As an international student, she is directly affected by the Trump administration’s changes […]

‘This administration doesn’t value research and the scientific process.’

Isaiah Chang is a junior in the Freshwater Sciences program at UW-Milwaukee. Outside of the classroom, he leads Bridging the Divide, a student-run program encouraging civil discourse, and works in a microbiology lab researching E-coli. One day he hopes to become a maritime professor after gaining experience as a maritime technician or lead scientist on […]

‘They have the correct papers, but it just doesn’t even feel like that matters anymore.’

Yvette Martínez recently moved from the sunny hills of southern California to study business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She spoke with reporter Maddie Knodel about how the Trump administration has affected her. Her experience navigating her identity as a Hispanic young adult with the perils of moving to a new (and very different) city […]

‘One of my favorite things is the sense of family in the fire department.’

Milwaukee’s Fire Station 27 has been residing on the corner of Bartlett and Park Place since 1903. Despite its age, it still remains a well-oiled, fire-fighting machine. Michael, a firefighter who has been a part of the force for the past 13 years, speaks on everything fire related from ghost stories to insight on systemic […]

‘These one-of-a-kind historical spaces show us where we’ve been as we focus on where we’re going.’

The Charles Allis Art Museum is a piece of Milwaukee history. Weathering storms and snow since 1911, the historic home allows those from Milwaukee and afar to observe the museum’s preserved “present.” Its visitors get to observe art of the past and the local arts of today. Marquayla Ellison has been board chair since 2022. […]

‘It’s 150 years in service and you look inside, and the modern fire trucks in there is just a little bizarre.’

Jackson Stewart is a student at Waukesha County Technical College and a second-year Fire and EMT program participant. He visited Milwaukee Fire Station 27 to learn how the station operates and explore his goal of becoming a firefighter. A Milwaukee native who no longer lives in the city, Stewart returned for a day to take […]

‘It’s a space for advanced climbers and new climbers to work together on problems and routes.’

Adventure Rock was first opened at Brookfield, Wisconsin in 1998. The second location at Riverwest was opened in 2016 and the third location in Walker’s Point was opened in 2019. Greg Brewster is an employee from Adventure Rock WKP who’s been rock climbing for four years and works at the Walker’s Point location. Brewster is […]

‘The arts were really important to me growing up here and I want to make sure that that continues.’

Sam Kacala is a full-time education manager at Arts @ Large and has been with the organization since 2017. The organization has been volunteering for Doors Open Milwaukee for the past three years. As a Milwaukee native, Kacala is focused on staying connected to his community and encouraging creativity throughout Milwaukee. Alexis Knecht: How long […]

‘This gives us a chance, not only to observe the exterior, but also go in and show off the interior.’

Gabe Sonsalla is an architecture student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and volunteered for the Doors Open Milwaukee event. Sonsalla is not a Wisconsin native; he was born and raised in Minnesota. He sat in the lobby of the hotel greeting guests as they walked in. His experience at the Saint Kate Arts Hotel allowed […]