It’s no surprise that Lakeland alumni continue to have an impact on the Lakeland community, but there may be no one as influential to campus as Lakeland graduate, Bora Ajdini ’23 was. A native of Albania, Ajdini came to the United States through a state funded exchange program, always knowing that she wanted to study abroad as a kid and taking the first opportunity to do so. Studying communications and Spanish, Ajdini is still talked about today, almost four years after her departure from Lakeland University.
Ajdini’s host mom gave her the idea to stay after her one year of exchange was over. Ajdini found Lakeland through an admissions officer who had visited her high school. After that Ajdini looked at some of her options, toured Lakeland and enjoyed the small, personalized experience. Ajdini was granted a full ride based on her academics and financial need, which she has recently just helped another student at her current establishment complete. While she originally wanted to study political science, she found communication at Lakeland. The rest might as well be history.
Ajdini was highly involved on campus as Global Student Association president, a Resident Assistant and Senior Resident Assistant, Pawsitism member, communication academic coach, Student Government Association cabinet member, Alpha Phi Iota founder and an Orientation Coordinator. Ajdini reflected, saying “Being GSA president was my proudest involvement, but COVID threw a wrench in things.” She also remarked on how being a Resident Assistant opened so many doors for her and that she wanted to be part of the revival of Student Government Association. As a founder of the Alpha Phi Iota co-ed fraternity, she appreciated the original vision of multicultural aspects and strong ties to community, but change is inevitable, Ajdini is aware of that.
Alpha Phi Iota co-ed organization at Blue and Gold Awards after winning 2023 Outstanding Student Organization
It’s not every day that a campus is lucky enough to have someone like Ajdini hold the weight of the campus on her shoulders with her involvement. Ajdini explained at Lakeland she “had a lot of energy and ambition, I wanted to see what I was capable of.” She highlighted the advising and mentoring she received from friends that walked her through being a resident of campus. Ajdini was a commuter student in her first year, but being a commuter made her want to be part of campus life. So that’s exactly what she did. Ajdini worked to make enough money to stay on campus, where she credits the Resident Assistant role to being a student on campus. Ajdini wanted to relate to her peers and believed in the mission of Lakeland; it was and always has been a tightknit community.
Bora Ajdini in front of the main doors of Old Main on campus in graduation photos
Looking back, Ajdini remembers the faculty and staff members that impacted her Lakeland career, crediting Charlie Krebs as the first communication faculty that gave her a lot of confidence and pushed her skills. Krebs encouraged Ajdini to make people feel valued when talking to them. Nathan Stewart was also instrumental in making her feel like a professional in the communication world. Dr. Aimee Burns-Boisvert gave Ajdini so much confidence and research skills; she knew Burns-Boisvert cared about her success early on and is happy to still connect with her. Mark Edmond had faith in Ajdini, who recognizes she did not have a good Resident Assistant interview; Edmond didn’t base her skills on the interview and that changed her life. Director of Residence Life, Troy Seehafer came to the department during organizational change and truly changed it from the ground up. Ajdini remarked “he has transformed Lakeland” as he mentored her in a professional way. She knew he would always listen and have advice whenever it was needed. Now they are good friends.
David Gallianetti, Director of External Relations, who has a knack for gaining trustworthy and strong relationships with students, says Ajdini leads by example; she was never afraid to try new experiences and encouraged others to do the same. This worked “thanks to her genuine enthusiasm for Lakeland and the opportunities we offer students, which allowed her to motivate others to follow her lead.” Discussing Ajdini’s Koehler Award win, Gallianetti explained, “Bora lived Lakeland’s values daily. She was a great student and enjoyed learning. She welcomed all people and valued differences in culture and views.” Ajdini is still talked about today, changing Lakeland from the day she stepped foot on campus. Gallianetti boasts “Bora is a gifted leader and mentor. She was a safe space for students who needed advice, had questions about anything Lakeland, or just wanted someone to talk to.” Gallianetti talked highly of Ajdini’s huge heart and ability to fill a room with laughter and joy, that she is living proof that we live in a small world.
Bora Ajdini with David Gallianetti and Michaela Schmitz at Lakeland’s 2023 graduation ceremony
Some of Ajdini’s favorite Lakeland memories were Resident Assistant training, being able to hang out with other staff members, where she met some of best friends, one of which was Jake Sagal. Ajdini and Sagal are still friends today, but during their undergraduate days they would find themselves hanging out often, walking in the forest in the nicer seasons. Ajdini enjoyed cheering at soccer games and hosting International Night her senior year, which was the culminating night of her entire Lakeland experience. Ajdini found pride in seeing her residents start to do things on their own as well, a weekly hangout that she helped plan for the floor’s residents, Monday night hangouts.
Bora Ajdini with close Lakeland friend, Jake Sagal, spearheading a promotional table for Student Government Association
The pinnacle of Ajdini’s Lakeland career was being named the 2023 Koehler Award recipient. Ajdini discussed how much of a confidence boost it was, especially post-graduation. She was transparent that “post-graduation was not a great time in my life, from being one of the most involved people on campus to working remote.” The number of interactions she had day-to-day had dwindled, affecting her mental health, but a tangible thing like the Koehler Award reminded her of how incredible her undergraduate career was, and she is unable to replicate that experience.
Dr. Burns-Boisvert, the professor who presented the Koehler Award to Ajdini, boasted of her consistent demonstration of enthusiastic excellence within the classroom and beyond. She named a course in which “Bora’s innovative mindset helped to develop an extensive social media campaign for our Men’s Volleyball team.” Ajdini showcased “her brilliant charisma by speaking to her campus community on how to pursue a life worth living.” In Burns-Boisvert’s speech she discusses Ajdini’s “ability to create a home, and welcome others into it, is especially impressive” as an international student, showing just exactly the kind of person Ajdini is.
Ajdini is grateful for the experiences and skills she received from Lakeland including people and communication skills, problem solving, deriving change and knowing she wanted to be in a higher education program. These skills have followed her. She now uses student-first skills that she has been able to multiply from her time at Lakeland.
President Dr. Beth Borgen was happy to speak of the talents and drive of Ajdini. Borgen explained “Bora was able to demonstrate leadership that inspired others to want to lead… and able to continue producing the annual International Night.” Borgen reflects on Ajdini’s professionalism, “Bora was always willing to say yes. She was one of the most positive and grateful students I’ve ever met.”
Global Student Association and Lakeland students that came together for Global Student Association’s annual International Food Night.
After graduating in May 2023, Ajdini worked at Bemis manufacturing as a Spanish translator for the Human Resources department. Later, doing freelance work as a live work interpreter for training, she realized this is not what she wanted to do with her life. She now is at Marquette University in student affairs and higher education where she is on track to graduate this May. Through this program she has done graduate assistantships and worked as a hall director in Marquette Resident Life, working with all students. She spent a summer completing a practicum at Boston College for a pre-college program which was fast paced.
Ajdini in front of Fenway Park in Boston, MA during her summer practicum.
She plans to apply for full-time hall director positions, hoping to stay in Milwaukee. She says her life has changed since being in Milwaukee, and being in an urban space presented as a challenge coming from smaller spaces like Lakeland. This change, though exciting, will never replace the impact Lakeland has had on Ajdini’s life, but more importantly the impact that Ajdini has had on Lakeland.