Mirsayah Wasnuk wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. Then, the president of the United States. Later, a therapist or psychiatrist. Each successive occupation was fueled by her desire to help as many people as possible.
Now two years into her college career at Lindner, the triple major in business economics, information systems and international business has meticulously crafted her classroom education and experiential learning pursuits to reflect her service mindset, even if her dream childhood professions are a thing of the past.
"She's chosen each activity and degree because she intends to use it in a certain way," said Amanda Bock, career coach, Lindner Career Services. "And it's a joy to watch her plan out where she wants to go and then just start along the path."
Wasnuk's empathy-first attitude originates from a deeply personal source.
"It's been something that's been ingrained in me ever since I could remember," Wasnuk said. "I honestly think it comes from my dad."
Gabriel Wasnuk served in the U.S. Air Force's explosive ordnance disposal unit, completing multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. His daughter recalls his being "blown up five or six times" before ultimately passing away from injuries related to his high-risk service when she was 15. For two years, she was his primary caregiver, living alone while he was hospitalized.
Wasnuk's majors stem from lifelong passions. When Wasnuk was four, she quizzed her mother about loans and banking, an early curiosity reaffirmed by her first-year microeconomics class at Lindner.
An enthusiasm for information systems was stoked by a stint on her elementary school's robotics team and a coding kit received at age 12. Years later, a visit from David Rapien, associate professor-educator of operations, business analytics, and information systems, to her first-year Business Pathways class cemented her decision, as the field's blend of business and technology resonated with her.
Wasnuk came to UC in fall 2023 to study international business on a pre-law track. But while she still has a zest for international business, she realized leaving cases at the office would have been difficult for her.
"I chose each of my majors because of the passion I have for each of the subjects," she said. "I love learning, and I think their intricacies will make me a well-rounded business leader."
Wasnuk's first co-op was in summer 2024 as a process improvement intern with Idaho National Laboratory, one of 17 labs within the U.S. Department of Energy's purview. She focused on root cause analytics and project management, co-leading three IT projects.
"You want to talk about a business problem solver? After her first year, she was helping a governmental agency in Idaho reorganize processes and procedures that required high security clearances," said Weston Atchison, associate director, Lindner Career Services. "That's the thing she was trusted to do."
This spring, Wasnuk moved on to AMEND Consulting in Cincinnati, analyzing client operations, identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements.
Wasnuk engages with her student peers, too, with Delta Sigma Pi, Economics Society, Net Impact and TravelCats leading the list of her organizational involvement. She has held leadership roles such as co-founder, director and vice president.
"When I come to school, that's a family I have. It makes my day to see familiar faces and have conversations," she said. "I have good mentors in my life who have guided and helped me. In times where I'm confused, I feel like there's support."
When Wasnuk participated in a co-op panel for Bock's Career Succes Strategies course last fall, Bock had to adjust her PowerPoint slide format to accommodate Wasnuk's collection of accomplishments and involvement.
"She's someone who considers how she spends her time and recalibrates when it's not the balance that serves her," Bock said. "She has a calming presence. If something goes wrong, she's someone you would want on your team or in your group."
Wasnuk aims to graduate in 2026. Graduate school, consulting and owning her own business are all in the cards for her life after Lindner.
"I definitely need to solve problems. Work can't be the same day to day. I want to always be learning and doing something different."
Featured image: Mirsayah Wasnuk at Lindner Hall. Photos/Danielle Lawrence.
