There have been several new faces in the halls this year, one of which is our new student and diversity advocate, Isaac Boiten. Fresh out of college, Boiten works in classroom 116, with fellow diversity advocate Adaw Deng. Together, they teach African American Studies and lead the Black Student Union.
“I got into teaching to inspire students,” Boiten said. “It’s still a learning experience, but I’m working closely with Ms. Deng and I’m learning from her everyday.”
Boiten is working with a program called CARES Fox Cities, a program North recently partnered with.
“The goal of the program is to create a more just and equitable community,” said Boiten. “Their primary focus is to understand the ways in which to support the success of all students and families, especially those who are currently marginalized. They believe that we must work from the center of our problems and ask critical questions about the beliefs and practices that have influenced them.”
Before his career at North, Boiten had a past in the U.S. Army for 8 years. His older brother was a big inspiration for him to enlist, he chose to enlist at the age of 17.
“My time in the Army Reserves influenced a significant part of my life,” said Boiten. “Being a part of a team was something I admired the most about being enlisted, especially during my time overseas.”
Boiten was deployed to Kuwait in 2020 for a year.
“I had become close with several of my comrades. My years in the military were some of my toughest, but also some of my best.”
Boiten ended his military career in December of 2022.
When the Michigan native moved to Neenah, he was only in the 5th grade. Boiten graduated from Neenah High School in 2016. He ran for cross country his freshman year, but his true sport was track and field. Boiten was enrolled in an engineering program in high school, and he would later carry engineering into college at UWO.
However, his heart was not in the engineering field.
“I changed my major a few times,” Boiten said. “I realized, math was not my thing, but I ended up choosing anthropology, the study of people.”
Boiten graduated from UWO in May of 2023.
In his free time, Boiten loves a good book. Some of his favorites are the “Peter and the StarCatcher” series by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson, “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler, and “Stumbling toward Enlightenment” by Geri Larkin.
“Even though I graduated, I still like to keep up on my anthropology studies,” said Boiten.
Boiten also enjoys occasionally playing video games on his Playstation.
“I love story-driven games,” Boiten said. “I play Uncharted and God of War. If it has a good story, I’ll enjoy it.”
In school, Boiten urges his students to shoot for the moon by setting goals to complete and working toward them.
“Life is full of distractions. It’s better to focus on what you want and how to achieve it.”