At the University of Wisconsin–Superior, small class sizes foster strong relationships between students and instructors. But the support system goes beyond academics – something Hailie Evans discovered during her years on campus.

A native of nearby Proctor, Minnesota, Evans first visited UW–Superior as a grade schooler attending basketball camps and participating in orchestra through the Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestra.

“I was pretty aware of UW–Superior being in the area, but I had never toured it until I started considering where I would want to go to college,” said Evans.

Unfortunately, her first full campus visit was affected by COVID-19.

“We toured mostly the outside of the campus,” said Evans. “But I still learned a lot about the classes offered and got to see the mock-up dorm room inside the admissions office. For being during COVID, it was surprisingly in-depth. I fell in love with the campus and felt at home in the UW-Superior community.”

UW–Superior’s 13:1 student-instructor ratio allows faculty members to engage, challenge, and mentor students closely. That level of support proved especially important to Evans during her first year. Originally majoring in English secondary education with a writing minor, she quickly realized it wasn’t the right path for her.

“Spring semester rolled around, and I still had no idea what I was doing,” said Evans. “I was on E-Hive and noticed it listed my advisor as an English professor. I messaged her at 8 p.m., and even though she didn’t know me, she replied right away and said, ‘Why don’t you give me a call right now?’ So I did.”

That late-night phone call with Dr. Hilary Fezzey, professor of English, helped Evans find her footing. Together, they crafted an academic plan that set her on a new course.

Evans will graduate summa cum laude with Bachelor of Arts degrees in writing and English.

“The faculty are awesome – I love them,” said Evans. “All of my classes have been outstanding. My peers are amazing. We do a lot of workshop-style classes for writing and discussion-based courses for English.”

Evans also presented her research at several prestigious events, including the Universities of Wisconsin’s Research in the Rotunda in Madison, as well as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Long Beach, California, and Pittsburgh.

Life Outside the Classroom

Outside academics, Evans was a four-year member of the Yellowjacket women’s basketball team. She also participated in choir during her first semester and played violin with the orchestra for the remainder of her time at UW-Superior – a juggling act made easier by supportive faculty.

“The challenge with orchestra is that music classes and sports practices are both in the afternoon,” said Evans. “But Dr. Erin Aldridge was willing to work with me on a flexible schedule. She’s been amazing in allowing me to continue my passion for orchestral playing.”

This year, Evans served as editor-in-chief of The Nemadji Review, UW–Superior’s student literary journal, where her creative writing was also published.

“There are certain experiences I’ll always look back on,” she said. “Working on The Nemadji Review was a great opportunity to meet fellow writers and be involved in the writing community. It’s been incredible to see how much effort goes into the journal – how it brings the community together, how much work contributors and staff put in. It’s been a privilege to be part of that.”

A Voice at Commencement

At this year’s commencement ceremony, Evans will deliver the student address.

“I’ve had so much support from the campus and faculty, and I want to give back by sharing the skills and experiences I’ve gained,” she said. “It’s also incredibly meaningful to share that moment with my family and my department and have them see me speak at graduation.”

Looking Ahead

This fall, Evans will begin her Juris Doctor studies at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, with plans to practice law in Minnesota.

“I’m interested in family and criminal law, particularly juvenile defense or domestic violence cases,” she said.

Still, Evans plans to keep her passion for creative writing alive which includes her speculative fiction novel currently in progress.

“I’ve focused most of my writing in creative classes,” she said. “It’s something I want to continue. I hope to pursue a career as an author someday. Over time, I’ve really felt my narrative voice grow—workshopping with others has helped me open up and build confidence in my writing.”

As Evans prepares to turn the page to her next chapter in law school, she carries with her a deep appreciation for the people and experiences that shaped her at UW–Superior. From the classroom to the orchestra, the basketball court to the editorial desk, she embraced every opportunity with drive and purpose. Her story is a testament to the power of support, resilience, and curiosity – and a reminder that with the right foundation, a bright future is not just possible, but inevitable.