Scholarship Spotlight: Jakson Amend, C.E.O. Program

Hello friends of Pres House, My name is Jakson Amend, and I am a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although I was born and raised in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, most of my family is from the Midwest, so I have been a Wisconsin sports fan my whole life. This made UW-Madison an easy choice—especially given its highly-ranked Mechanical Engineering program. I lived in a dorm during my freshman year and moved to an apartment on the south end of campus sophomore year. Now, I am in my second year of living at Pres House with five of my closest friends I have made thus far. Next year, the plan is to establish residency in Wisconsin and move to the Appleton area to start a career as a design engineer, having accepted a return offer from the company I completed an internship with this past summer. 

Active involvement in Club Baseball has been a significant part of my university experience over the past four years. My roles within the club have evolved, as I have been an active player for all four years and an officer for the past three. I was our program’s secretary sophomore year, then stepped up to Treasurer junior year, and was elected club president this year. Balancing academics and club leadership has been demanding, yet extremely rewarding. Leading a large program and mentoring younger students allows me to reflect on my early college experience while positively impacting the university community. 

Given the early renewal window for apartment leasing in Madison, it can be challenging for many to decide whether renewing is the right choice. However, my roommates and I did not hesitate to renew our lease at Pres House Apartments, thanks to the wonderful community, engaging events, comfortable living and study spaces, scholarship program, and welcoming staff. In addition, Pres House is ideally located close to many campus buildings–including Memorial Union, two major libraries, recreational facilities, and State Street–and is right in the heart of campus. We also knew others who were re-leasing, fostering a strong sense of community heading into our senior year. 

As a Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science student involved in club leadership, my schedule can be quite demanding. On top of attending classes, I devote approximately 25 hours per week to coursework and an additional 15 hours to Club Baseball. This commitment is time-consuming but rewarding, providing me with opportunities to lead, mentor, and share the lessons I have learned during my time in school. With such a hectic schedule, it can be difficult to keep track of personal goals. This is where the CEO (Community Engagement Opportunities) scholarship has played a huge role. Completing activities in wellness, learning, community, and service a few times each semester offers relief and an opportunity to step outside my busy world. It also helps me focus on personal growth and community engagement beyond academics and sports. 

Being a member of the CEO program during both years at Pres House has been a privilege. This year, I have been able to rework and improve certain goals while maintaining those that have been particularly meaningful. For example, my service goal for both years has been helping to unload UW Frozen Meal shipments at Pres House on Friday mornings. Although it is a relatively simple task, this service allows me to start my Fridays with a fulfilling activity that helps feed our students in need. Additionally, it has allowed me to make connections with those outside of my world, such as the university food delivery drivers. 

In terms of wellness, the CEO program allowed me to establish and maintain a strict workout routine and lifting schedule, upheld for two consecutive years. This includes working out 3-4 times a week and incorporating a mix of workouts, such as taking cycling classes. For the community aspect, I expanded my original goal of attending monthly dinners to include cleanup once a semester. Finally, I revamped my learning goal from practicing Spanish with Duolingo to independently researching post-college financial and time-management skills, such as budgeting, saving for retirement, and real estate development. Overall, these four categories have contributed to a well-rounded college lifestyle and experience despite my demanding responsibilities. 

Reflecting on the overall experience at Pres House Apartments, I think it is important to note the genuine care each resident is placed under, demonstrated by the scholarship programs, community events, and dedicated full-time staff who help to piece this living experience together. These experiences have been instrumental in my personal growth and professional development, enhancing my leadership, time management, and community engagement skills. The balance I achieved here will continue to influence my approach to learning, wellness, community, and service for the rest of my life.