UWS educator honored with

2021

Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award

By Andrea Busche

Asa young girl growing up in Phang-Nga, Thailand, Salisa Hochstetler enjoyed all the delights that nature had to offer. There, she and her brother, Wongsakorn, and their parents, Nittara and Pon, lived near the beach. Her favorite childhood memories include visiting local waterfalls and having family cookouts.

Today, as a resident of Superior, Wisconsin, she lives half a world away from her home country. But she has embraced American life and is well-established here, with a husband, three children and a career.

As an immigrant, Hochstetler is a natural fit for her professional role as the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s interim director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. While the students she assists appreciate her, so do her colleagues.

Hochstetler was named the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Women in Color in Education Award, an annual honor given to faculty, staff, students or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the UW System, as well as communities across the state. For this honor, she was nominated by a colleague (and former recipient of the award), Kat Werchouski.

Moving to America

Hochstetler first came to America in 2005, when she was an exchange student in Luck, Wisconsin. After some friends recommended UWS, she returned to the U.S. in 2008 to pursue a college degree.

“They told me UWS had a lower cost, a small campus, and was next to the lake,” she said.

Hochstetler graduated with a degree in political science (with a concentration in international peace studies) in 2011. After graduation, she immediately entered the job market. First as an overnight staff member at the former Woodland Hills, and then at an after-school program the organization opened in Morgan Park. Later, she worked as an advocate for Mentor Duluth, and as a coordinator for Mentor Superior. She earned a master’s degree in school counseling from UWS in 2017.

University

Continued on page 12 services coordinator in 2018.

“This was my dream job because I was an international student myself,” she said. “I advised students on immigration regulations, U.S. customs, campus life and even things like opening a bank account and filing taxes. It was the perfect fit for me.”

In 2020, she was promoted to assistant director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and later named interim director in October 2021. In this role, Hochstetler oversees four different offices on the UWS campus: the Intercultural Student Success Office, Gender Equity Resource Center, Veteran and NonTraditional Student Center, and Indigenous Cultures Resource Center. She has four direct reports and sees an average of 10 students per week.

“We focus on the identity of our students who have unique challenges,” Hochstetler said. “We try to think creatively on how to support these students and focus on their retention. We want to help them realize that they belong here.”

Other professional interests

In addition to her busy career, Hochstetler is a previous volunteer mentor with Mentor Duluth. She graduated from the Leadership Superior/Douglas County Program in 2016. She was recognized with the Duluth YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Emerging Leader Award in 2017, and received the

Spirit of Superior Award from UWS for 2019-2020. She also served on the board of directors for the Duluth YWCA in 2018.

Personal life

Hochstetler and her husband, Joe, who works at Cirrus Aircraft, have three young children: Toby (6), Ella (4), and Marli (6 months). They also have two dogs and a cat. In her limited spare time, she enjoys Thai cooking, hiking, walking along Lake Superior and doing puzzles.

The Hochstetler family tries to visit Thailand as often as possible, but this has been difficult lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe and Salisa dream of someday being able to retire in Thailand, where Salisa’s parents own and operate a small resort.

Pandemic

Hochstetler acknowledged the challenges of juggling personal and professional responsibilities during the pandemic, and said, “This past year has really challenged me. I’m always asking myself, ‘Am I spending enough time with my students? My kids?’ I really just want to highlight working moms and acknowledge that people are doing the best they can.”

She also acknowledged the challenges experienced by her students.

“During the pandemic, our international students have had some very unique challenges, between experiencing negative stereotypes and not being able to travel home. We have worked hard to help make sure they’re OK.”

Award

Hochstetler is grateful to be a recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. Last year marked the 26th anniversary of the award, through which more than 400 women of color have been recognized for their transformational work.

In a press release issued by UWS on Nov. 8, 2021, Hochstetler said, “I feel very honored to receive this award. I am truly humbled to be able to live, work and serve people in this community.

“I want to recognize other local women of color who continue to advocate for diversity and inclusion,” she added. “Many of them inspired me to do the work that I do, and I am thankful for their teachings. I hope that my small contribution will lead to a positive change in the lives of our students, staff and community members.”

Recipients were formally recognized Nov. 4, 2021 at an awards ceremony and reception in Madison, Wisconsin. The event was hosted by Warren R. Anderson, UW System Senior Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

“The UW System is proud to recognize the tremendous achievements of this year’s award recipients,” Anderson said. “They are enhancing opportunities for our students and benefiting our communities through their leadership, scholarship and outreach.” D