Reprinted with permission of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
By Dan Holtz
Leader-Telegram staff
The program director for applied social science at UW-Stout believes Amber Georgakopoulos will be a success at anything that comes her way.
Georgakopoulos is a mother, has been a part-time business owner or worked full time while going to college, conducted significant independent research and is actively involved in the Menomonie community, Tina Lee said.
“And she did all of those things extremely well,” Lee said.
“She understands people and works well with people. She understands what makes communities work and not work,” Lee said.
“I’ve never seen (Georgakopoulos) not be good at anything she touches. She’s absolutely amazing,” Lee said. “Whatever community she ends up in, she’s going to make it a good place. We were lucky to have her.”
Georgakopoulos, 39, of Menomonie, was one of 763 UW-Stout students who graduated Saturday, Dec. 15, at Johnson Fieldhouse.
She grew up in Boyceville and after graduating from high school decided to explore the country.
She lived and held various jobs in Boston and Colorado. She also worked at youth hostels on the West Coast.
“It was pretty amazing,” Georgeakopoulos said. “I got to meet a lot of super cool people and hold random jobs. It was really amazing.”
But, in the back of her mind, Georgakopoulos knew she eventually wanted to pursue higher education.
“It just took me 20 years to figure that out,” she said.
Georgakopoulos moved to Menomonie with her children, Fiona, 10, and Tallulah, 6, bought a house on Tainter Lake, worked at bars and restaurants and pursued a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stout.
Georgakopoulos majored in applied social science with concentrations in sociology and anthropology. She also completed a self-designed humanities minor.
She continuously took classes in the fall and spring semesters and during winter and summer breaks. She graduated in 2½ years.
“I got done really quickly,” Georgakopoulos said. “It was really intense. I think I will sleep for most of January.”
While at UW-Stout, Georgakopoulos participated in LAKES REU, a National Science Foundation program that centered on intensive research.
Her research focused on lakes and water quality, comparing communities and their perceptions of water quality.
Georgakopoulos also participated in UW-Stout’s Honors College, which offers extra classes, field trips and speakers for higher achieving and curious students, said Chris Ferguson, director of the Honors College.
Many nontraditional students don’t participate in the Honors College because of the extra work and commitment, he said.
“She’s raising two young daughters and still wanted to get the most out of college,” Ferguson said. “She really embraced getting the most out of all of her college experiences.
“She’s curious about everything and passionate about trying to make the world a better place and the community a better place.”
As an active member of the community, Georgakopoulos is past president and executive board member of Main Street Menomonie and vice president of the Tainter Menomin Lake Improvement Association.
She’s also working to put environmental education in schools’ current curriculum. “It’s about doing stuff I like,” she said.
Georgakopoulos is not sure what lies ahead. She said she loves Menomonie and wants to stay invested in the community.
“I will probably take a year or two to get my feet back on the ground,” she said. “I love academia. Graduate school is definitely in the picture. Taking classes is super exciting and super stressful. That’s the same whether you’re 19 or 39.”
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Photos
Amber Georgakopoulos presents research as part of the LAKES summer program at UW-Stout.
Amber Georgakopoulos
