Graduate Testimonials - M.S. Risk Control

Graduates of UW-Stout's M.S. Risk Control degree share insights on the program and its impact on their careers.
M.S. Risk Control alum Gbenga Ogungbe, Loss Control Specialist
June 22, 2018

The opportunities for employment in this dynamic profession typically exceed the number of interns as well as graduates in any given semester, and it's no secret that M.S. in Risk Control graduates are offered excellent jobs. Employment opportunities exist nationwide in broad areas of industry including general manufacturing, construction, paper and wood products, food processing, metal fabrication, healthcare, insurance, transportation, utilities and government.

Testimonials

"Having run the Bridge Manufacturer maintenance department prior to taking on the additional responsibilities of "Safety" allowed me to gain our employees trust and respect, so that when I applied my graduate degree within the organization "they" knew I am a person of my word and action thus, our OSHA recordable incidents have decreased to a historic low. Without the knowledge gained at UW Stout, my success would have been limited to the achievements within the maintenance department, now the entire organization benefits from my passion. 

The professors, instructors and faculty in the Loss Control program, at UW Stout, inspired me through their passion and dedication. It was the program director that made me realize that the path I was on would be a fantastic building block to a much more rich and rewarding career by continuing my education and earning a Graduate degree in Loss Control.The degree afforded me the opportunity to reach a new level of responsibility and respect in my organization, along with significant salary and merit-based financial gains. The University of Wisconsin-Stout professors, to this day, still remain close as mentors, friends and colleagues in some cases. For anyone dedicated in growing their career through reducing unfavorable behaviors and/or conditions and truly protecting an organization's assets, you will find this field extremely rewarding and the University of Wisconsin- Stout a highly recognized academic setting to realize your goals."

- Jason Miller
Maintenance, Facilities and EHS Manager
Bridge Manufacture

 

"I provide direct support to our human and animal food processing facilities with Environmental Health and Safety as well as food safety/quality compliance. I currently serve as our Enterprise Food Safety Risk Governance Committee Chair with the responsibility of enterprise collaboration and system integration. I also serve as a committee member for the National Grain and Feed Association on their Feed Manufacturing and Technology Committee, which provides food safety support and resources for the animal food industry.

The reason I chose to attend the Risk Control Master’s Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout was based on the methods they used to develop and prepare students for post-graduate careers. The instructors provided real-world examples and materials for students to learn and utilize when they complete the program. The program not only prepared students for entry-level positions in the area of Environmental Health and Safety but as well as management positions by integrating systems and leadership components into the coursework."

- Matthew Surdick
CHS Inc.
(Inver Grove Heights, MN)

 

"In my current role, I provide safety leadership, oversight, and direction in all aspects of our group operations. These operations include the construction of large-scale energy, heavy highway, and marine projects.

The UW-Stout Risk Control program provided me with an excellent foundation of knowledge and skills to direct and manage Safety in a wide variety of industries. The breadth of the program, along with the expertise of the instructors gave me a significant competitive advantage as I entered my career. The culture of the program facilitated a high level of comradery and fostered both personal and professional friendships that have proven invaluable to my career."

- Jonathan Morgan
Safety Director
MA Mortenson, Construction Civil Group

 

"Within my current Hutchinson Technology position, I oversee the safety, health, and emergency services for a company of roughly 1,000 employees. Outside of work I own and operate a safety consulting company called Integrated Safety, LLC. Integrated Safety provides a wide variety of tailored safety services to both general industry and construction based companies. 

The Risk Control masters program was truly the best decision I have made for my career and life. Not only do I have the opportunity to do what I love each and every day but; the UW-Stout Risk Control program provided me the education and resources to be a competent safety advocate."

- Savannah Runstrom
Safety Engineer
Hutchinson Technology, a TDK Company
(Eau Claire, WI)
    

"Upon graduation from the Risk Control program, I accepted a position at the Rockwell Automation Ladysmith, Wisconsin facility. I am currently the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Manager for the plant and in addition, recently took on a new role as the Rockwell Production System and Productivity Manager. I absolutely love problem-solving, working in manufacturing, and seeing the cultural impact of our work throughout the years. 

When I was in high school, I was employed by the UW-Stout Dining Service. After graduation, I continued my work while pursuing a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management and enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. To this day, working for the dining service was my favorite job and UW-Stout inspired a long-lasting passion for my career. In 2009, my unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and I returned with a new sense of appreciation for occupational safety. Once again, UW-Stout was there to excel my knowledge and experiences in the field. Obtaining my Master's Degree in Risk Control is one of my proudest moments. From dish-washer to safety professional, UW-Stout truly changed my life."

- Ashley Neby
Rockwell Automation
(Ladysmith, WI)

 

"The M.S. Risk Control program is a dynamic and rewarding program where the student covers a board and base range of safety-based program areas. It has a good mixture of classroom lecture and hands-on learning aids. The Risk Control umbrella of total asset protection is a superb model that will serve students well as they perform their role within the business and provide value to the organizations in which they serve."

 

- Stephen Gauger
Petroleum Safety Industry

 

"The UW Stout Risk Control program utilizes an appropriate mix of technical information which prepares the student to find, read, and interpret regulations as well as several management philosophies so a new professional is prepared to approach safety from a regulatory, best practice, and business perspective. The ability for safety professionals to "bridge the gap" and to be able to speak the language of the front line employees and upper management is invaluable. Those skills are a big part of the Risk Control program."

- Jeremy Ralston
U.S. Compliance Corporation

 

"I opted to pursue my graduate degree within the Risk Control program from the University of Wisconsin - Stout as it was one of the few graduate degree programs within the Midwestern region of the United States, and its distinguished and long-standing reputation within the fields of risk management, occupational safety and health, and industrial hygiene. While active as a student within the Risk Control program, I found course scheduling to be flexible for a student who was both working full time and raising a family."

- Ben Wood
 Minnesota OSHA, Workplace Safety Consultation Division


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