Inspiring Graduate: Alex Stuckert (’24)
- Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.
- Degree: M.S. Operations and Supply Management
- Concentration: Project Management
Alex Stuckert earned his bachelor’s in construction management and minor in construction safety and risk control from UW-Stout, while competing on the Blue Devil hockey team.
The team is what originally brought him to Stout – he played defense for five years, played in all 29 games his fourth and fifth season, and served as captain his fifth year in 2023-24, when the Blue Devils made it to the WIAC semifinals.
Stuckert stayed on at UW-Stout to earn his online master’s degree in operations and supply management with a concentration in project management while working as a full-time electrical distribution designer for Xcel Energy.
Online graduate school was the only viable option he saw that would enable him to execute his plan of working a full-time job, playing Division III hockey and attending school full-time.
Stuckert received his master’s on Dec. 14, along with 510 graduates.
“UW-Stout’s online OSM program was extremely flexible, allowing me to use my professional experience in the utility construction industry in class projects and exercises, allowing me to fulfill my job responsibilities, maintain strong customer satisfaction, and keep my mind and body in shape to give my hockey team the best chance of success,” he said.
“Having that flexibility gave me the ability to be a leader in my professional career and in the locker room.”
Stuckert is looking to advance his career at Xcel and strengthen relationships as he continues to grow into new positions within the company, as well as roles outside of work to make a bigger impact in his community.
How has your UW-Stout experience changed you?
UW-Stout has changed my life by allowing me to gain both confidence and professional experience working with industry professionals.
I was able to earn a prestigious degree while competing with some of the best college hockey players at the Division III level, including serving as captain of the team in my final year.
How well has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
During my undergrad, I was able to secure an internship after my sophomore year with Ironmark Building Company out of Minneapolis. I had a great experience with them as I learned what the inner workings of a highly successful construction company looks like and what it takes to be successful.
Being able to transfer knowledge directly from the classroom to a construction job site helped give me a true understanding and real appreciation of what I was learning at UW-Stout.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
My time at UW-Stout as a hockey player stands out to me and has been a catalyst in my professional, athletic and educational career. My experience on the team complemented all of the leadership lessons, experiences and discipline I gained in my educational career.
I was named as a 2024 Academic All-District® Men's and Women's At-Large teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, which recognizes the nation's top student athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom. I was also named a Krampade/AHCA All-American Scholar by the American Hockey Coaches Association.
Having an internship in the field supporting all the things I learned in the classroom, and then working for Xcel Energy took those combined experiences and magnified the impact I could have whether at work, in the classroom or on the ice. And now I can take all of those experiences and apply them to serving my community as well.
I was also invited to travel with Chancellor Katherine Frank and Athletics Director Duey Naatz to advocate for the student athlete experience at the Wisconsin legislature in Madison and accompanied the Athletics Director in touring the University of Minnesota Rec Well Center to see what other institutions are doing to support their student athletes.
These invitations gave me opportunities to serve as a student leader outside of work, the classroom or the ice, and also built upon my educational experience at UW-Stout.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree?
The most difficult challenge that I had, which I am sure is consistent with all student athletes, is time management. Last year, in particular, I worked full-time at Xcel Energy while going to school full time and while serving as captain and member of the hockey team.
I've always been disciplined, and while this schedule pushed me to the max, it also gave me an opportunity to see that if I am committed to something and put in the discipline to meet all of my goals, I am capable of much more than I could ever have imagined.
Managing my day-to-day schedule was also difficult to maintain a high grade-point-average, while playing collegiate hockey and keeping my mind and body in good health. Dealing with constant injury and working to rehab those injuries was also quite the hardship when I had so many other tasks that needed to be accomplished.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
The thing that I am the most proud of is what I was able to accomplish in five years. I was blessed with so many supporting individuals who backed my decision to return for my fifth year of competition. My teammates, coworkers, family and friends helped push me and supported me to accomplish my goals.
I learned so much about myself and how much I was able to manage at one time; so much more than what I thought prior to beginning my graduate degree.
