…letting her think outside the box to make an impact.
Many UWGB alumni express their sincere appreciation for UWGB’s small, closely-knit classes, but for Crystal Malakar, UWGB’s approachable, professional staff made all of the difference in the world.
During her time at UWGB, Crystal worked with Associate Professor Chris Vandenhouten on a research study titled, “Nurses in Politics,” a study focused on the political influence of practicing nurses as a form of patient advocacy. Ultimately, Crystal’s research was published, and she may collaborate with Professor Vandenhouten in the future. Regardless, Crystal says the experience was invaluable, and she still keeps in touch with Professor Vandenhouten to this day.
Providing her the leadership and resources necessary to make a long term impact in a field she’s passionate about, Crystal says UWGB allowed her to think outside the box to make change. Crystal loved having to take courses other than the ones in her major–Nursing–providing her insight into other disciplines. Making it all possible, Crystal insists she “had great professors at UWGB who were very involved and sincerely invested in their students.”
Crystal, now living with her husband Bikash (a fellow UWGB alum), works as a Staff Nurse at the Via Christi and Adolescent Mental Health Center in Wichita, Kansas, continuing to think outside of the box to make a positive impact on the world.
Name: Crystal Malakar
Grad Year: 2009
Major: Nursing
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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.