WCTC SPRING IMPACT BONUS CONTENT -- Driven by Ambition: Deirdre O'Day

“The program offerings at WCTC will push students, but the growth, confidence and discipline gained through your learning, and balancing academics and other commitments, will carry you further than you expect.” -- Deirdre O'Day, WCTC alumna

When Deirdre O’Day graduated from Brookfield East High School in June 2024, she didn’t just walk across the stage with a diploma; she had already acquired some impressive post-secondary credentials. Just a few weeks prior, she participated in the WCTC May commencement ceremony, earning her Business Management associate degree.

O’Day was one of the earliest participants of the Excelerate initiative, which allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in a WCTC program, just like any other student. Through Excelerate, along with Start College Now (a state funding program that allows high school students to take technical college classes for dual credit, with tuition often paid by the school district), she was able to get a significant jump start toward her next level of education. 

In fall 2024, with a high school diploma and one college degree already in hand, O’Day started at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and brought 84 credits with her – the majority of which were earned at WCTC. She is currently a student in the School of Business, double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, along with a certificate in Leadership.

Balancing ambition and high school life

For O’Day, enrolling at WCTC while still in high school was strategic move that required discipline and strict time management. She successfully balanced her WCTC coursework with AP classes, a part-time hostess job plus varsity cross country and track – all while remaining a “normal high school kid.” The sacrifice was worth it as it put her on a fast track toward her degree and saved her a significant sum of money.

“WCTC presented the opportunity to explore my own interest in business, because I knew that I wanted to go [on to a four-year college] to study business, and I thought, ‘How better to put myself ahead and stand out to colleges?’ WCTC was the clear choice,” she said. “Additionally, the cost being covered by Elmbrook (School District) was a huge selling point, because it did not cost my family to advance my academic career.”

Her commitment is paying off. Because she was able to transfer so many credits to UW-Madison, she is now on track to graduate in just three years—even with a semester abroad in spring 2027. This head start gave her the flexibility to shape her own learning path in the Wisconsin School of Business.

The path to a master’s degree

Looking ahead, O’Day plans to apply for the Deferred Master’s Program at UW–Madison, aiming to earn a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management by 2028.

Reflecting on her entre into higher education as a high school junior, O’Day’s time at WCTC has served as an important bridge to the university experience.

“The program offerings at WCTC will push students, but the growth, confidence and discipline gained through your learning, and balancing academics and other commitments, will carry you further than you expect,” she said.