Caroline Stetina

Caroline Stetina ('25) thrives on pushing her limits. As a graduate student in Wheaton College’s Higher Education and Student Development (HESD) program, she balances rigorous coursework, graduate assistantship duties, and a competitive running career—approaching each of these responsibilities with discipline and determination.

A standout distance runner for Wheaton’s cross country and track teams, Caroline has consistently performed at the highest levels in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championships. Her dedication earned her NCAA Division III All-Region honors in cross country this past fall and earned her a nod as Wheaton’s Most Valuable Runner of 2024 and Jack Swartz Award Honoree. Her success is built on years of disciplined training, as she typically runs between eight to ten miles a day, interspersed with her classes and work.

Beyond athletics, Caroline is passionate about the broader field of higher education. In her graduate assistant role, she works alongside HESD program director Dr. Olga Dietlin to promote the program, support professors, and spotlight and assist students and alumni. She applies the same resilience and strategic thinking required in long-distance running to her role, working to ensure that the HESD program succeeds. 

For Caroline, success extends beyond the finish line—it’s about personal growth and impacting others. Whether competing on the track, learning in the classroom, or working in the field of higher education, she seeks to exemplify discipline, hard work, and dedication, proving that thriving in multiple arenas is possible with the right mindset. In her words, Wheaton's Higher Education Program has "vastly expanded her perspective on the world of higher education, and given her a greater vision for the many possibilities it holds, particularly within the athletic realm."