Meet Kiara Rios, a 2022 Reuther graduate and senior psychology major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
While studying, she also serves as a support for college students who have been in foster care or are experiencing housing insecurity and helps freshmen from underrepresented backgrounds obtain scholarships. She also leads workshops on cultural history, life skills, undergraduate research, and academic survival tips.
🏡 Current city: Whitewater, WI
🍎 Favorite teacher: Julia Hegler, Reuther Science Teacher
💬 Advice to current KUSD students:
This is a question I think about often. I spent some of the most pivotal years of my life in KUSD, and truthfully, that experience shaped who I am today. One of my greatest struggles growing up was learning to see value in myself—both inside and outside the classroom. Being someone determined to defy the odds is not an easy path. I constantly reminded myself that I had to lead by example, that I had to be the reason others could see possibility in uncertainty, because this path is, by nature, uncertain. Today, I stand here as a senior college student graduating in May of 2026 with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and someone preparing to pursue a Master’s in Social Work in graduate school this fall—not because the journey was easy, but because I refused to let my circumstances define my future. I share this not to highlight an outcome, but to show you what is possible when you believe in yourself and stay committed to your education, even when the road ahead feels unclear. With that in mind, I urge you to consider how you can make the world better—or even simply how you can make your school environment better for everyone. Find beauty in your identity and understand that your uniqueness is your power. Never let anyone make you feel small. Your education is your way out—treat it as such. Spend the extra hour reading a book. Be early to class. Build relationships with your teachers. I still talk to my teachers from KUSD today, and those relationships remind me to stay true to where I came from and never waver in my passions or beliefs. Discover your interests. Chase your passions. And always remember that true success isn’t defined by achievement alone, but by what you do with your success for others—that is what truly matters. When people hear your name, make sure it brings nothing but respect and admiration. It is cool to be smart. It is cool to have passions and future goals. However, it is also okay to feel scared, uncertain, doubtful, or confused. Never let this stop you. Remember: to be number one, you have to be okay with being different. Being “odd” is often what sets leaders apart.