For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: October 1, 2026
Ingvalson balancing family, education and volleyball
Credits college resources for continued success
Fennimore -At 40 years old, Jenna Ingvalson is proving that students can pursue new goals at any stage of life. The Mineral Point resident is enrolled in the Human Services program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College while raising four children and participating on the college’s new women’s club volleyball team. Her children include two sons, ages 19 and 10, and two daughters, ages 4 and 1.
It is not Ingvalson’s first experience at Southwest Tech. She previously attended the college and completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2021. Her positive experience and the academic support she received encouraged her to return when she decided to pursue a different career.
Balancing classes, homework, family responsibilities and athletics requires careful time management. However, Ingvalson said the experience has helped demonstrate her determination to achieve a goal that is important to her. Her children have also taken an interest in her college experience, including her decision to join the volleyball team. “My kids see my passion and perseverance, and they think it’s kind of cool that mom has homework, too,” she said.
Throughout her time at Southwest Tech, Ingvalson has used resources including the Knox Learning Center, academic advising, counseling services, and Katie’s Cupboard. She said Katie’s Cupboard has provided food, diapers and over-the-counter medications for her family in a discreet and supportive environment.
Reaching out for assistance has become an important part of her educational journey. Ingvalson hopes other students will recognize that seeking support is a strength and that Southwest Tech employees can help connect them with academic, personal and basic-needs resources. “It is OK to ask for help,” she said. “There are so many resources available at Southwest Tech, and utilizing them has been one of the biggest contributors to my success.”
Ingvalson’s interest in human services developed through her personal experiences with trauma, mental health challenges, recovery and resilience. Those experiences strengthened her desire to support individuals navigating similar obstacles.
After graduating from Southwest Tech, she plans to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her long-term goal is to become a substance abuse counselor and incorporate art therapy into group counseling sessions.
As a mother, returning student, athlete and future human services professional, Ingvalson hopes her journey encourages others to continue pursuing their goals regardless of their age or the challenges they have faced.