Friends thrive together at Rock County and Whitewater campuses

Friends thrive together at Rock County and Whitewater campuses

November 15, 2024

Two students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater embraced the power of shared experiences - and a resulting fast friendship - to make the most out of their time as Warhawks.

Alma Diaz-Cosme and Maribel Rodriguez met as students at UW-Whitewater at Rock County in the fall of 2021. They had each made last-minute decisions to enroll at URock after exploring alternative college and career opportunities.

Now, the duo is thriving together at the Whitewater campus in the university's College of Business and Economics, both as marketing majors.

"It's always having someone there for me," Rodriguez said. "We have a lot of classes similar to one another - having that other person knowing what you're going through has really helped me. We have similar life experiences - she knows how to help me, and I know how to help her."

Diaz-Cosme grew up in Janesville after her family moved to the United States from Mexico. She spoke Spanish exclusively before starting school and entering the Janesville School District's ELL program, which she continued with through fifth grade. When it came time to graduate high school, she applied to schools around the country before discovering URock just months before she was to start college, citing cost and location as the main drawing points.

Alma Diaz-Cosme (left) and Maribel Rodriguez pose near the Warhawk Solution Center at UW-Whitewater at Rock County during their time as students on the Rock County campus. (Photo submitted)

Rodriguez's family, also originally from Mexico, resided in Clinton. She was in Clinton's ESL program through fourth grade after starting to learn English at the age of 6. Her older brother attended URock, and she decided to enroll at the Rock County campus in July 2021.

Diaz-Cosme and Rodriguez, both first-generation college students, met through the campus' Latinos Unidos student organization. When Diaz-Cosme became president, she made Rodriguez her vice president. The duo also worked on the URock Hawk Squad, assisting at orientations and with campus tours.

While they were students at URock, Diaz-Cosme and Rodriguez began taking classes on the Whitewater campus at the encouragement of Dave Carlson, a former advisor on the Rock County campus. In the fall of 2023, they both started as full-time students on the Whitewater campus. They were exposed to numerous hands-on experiences through the business school, including competitions with the American Marketing Association and other sales contests.

"Once we did SOAR with the transfer students from URock to here, it was nice to have each other and see familiar faces," Diaz-Cosme said. "Most people had their parents, but we had each other."

Maribel Rodriguez (left) and Alma Diaz-Cosme walk together to class at Hyland Hall on the Whitewater campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Kyle Winter)

Diaz-Cosme has expanded her role with UW-Whitewater's national champion AMA chapter, currently serving on the new member committee and on the social impact board as vice president of event planning. She's built her skills through practical learning and experiences - hallmarks of a Warhawk education.

"I'm communicating more," Diaz-Cosme said. "Selling to others in competitions has helped me. I was less outgoing at URock, here I'm more outgoing because of all the leadership positions - they've helped me be more confident in myself."

Rodriguez echoed her friend's sentiments, especially with self-confidence.

"I've had to do a lot of presentations, individually and with groups (…). This last year doing the Perfect Pitch and those competitions, it doesn't take a shy person to do it," Rodriguez said.

Both students have worked hard to support themselves as college students.

Rodriguez worked at a local dance academy while attending URock and has continued to work in customer service at Woodman's in Beloit while working toward her real estate license, which she received last spring.

Diaz-Cosme was employed as a manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in Janesville before securing an internship with Sherwin-Williams, where she currently works part time in management and sales.

Maribel Rodriguez (left) and Alma Diaz-Cosme interact during class at Hyland Hall. (UW-Whitewater photoKyle Winter)

Both Rodriguez and Diaz-Cosme have jobs waiting for them upon graduation. Rodriguez will start her career as a realtor with Shorewest Realtors after crossing the stage at the December commencement, while Diaz-Cosme will work full time at Sherwin-Williams when she's done at UW-Whitewater this May.

Rodriguez credited her experience at the university with giving her the skills necessary to land her first job out of college.

"You have to be confident, and I've expressed myself more," she said. "I had to show Shorewest why they should have me as a realtor and how I can help benefit the company."

The two friends look to continue their connection beyond UW-Whitewater, whether it's a quick phone call that turns into a 30-minute conversation or a visit to campus from Rodriguez, who will reside in Beloit.

"She's there for me whenever I need it, she's the first person I go to if I can't figure something out," Diaz-Cosme said. "I talk to her about life. I trust her - it feels like I've known her my whole life. We know a lot about each other."

"We're almost like sisters, but more than friends," Rodriguez added. "I don't want to let her go, but I know she's got it."

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