I think this is the greatest program we do. I love the energy these students bring.
Janae Sampson has some serious skills. She’s studying accounting at Milwaukee Area Technical College, working at a real estate firm that finds housing for people recently released from prison, and raising two active boys.
The Milwaukee Bucks have noticed her talents and want to give her a big-league career assist.
Sampson was one of eight students from MATC, Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering selected to participate in the Bucks Fellowship Program during the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Bucks Fellowship is a competitive internship that provides students from diverse backgrounds with unique learning experiences and exposure to careers in sports and entertainment. The selected students were recognized and celebrated on Friday, October 24, at the Gather event space in Deer District.
“This program represents the power of opportunity and connection,” said Rodrick Cureton Jr., the impact and culture manager for the Bucks. “We are helping to create the next generation of executives and leaders. These students are the future.”
Sampson and the other Bucks fellows will work between 10 and 20 hours per week. Duties will consist of assigned department projects and tasks within the Bucks’ business side, as well as access to career guidance through guest speakers, mock interviews, and resume and LinkedIn profile help.
The fellows will also volunteer in the Milwaukee community and join at least one employee resource group. To conclude the program, each fellow will make a presentation to the Bucks executive leadership team.
“I think this is the greatest program we do,” said Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks. “I love the energy these students bring. We want them to ask questions and learn how to network. We think this program is a model for other teams in the league.”
This is the first year MATC was included in the fellowship selection process, thanks to the work of the college’s CareerHub, which assists students with career exploration, internships and transfer opportunities.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Janae to accelerate her career and interact with our community,” said Dr. Phillip King, MATC’s executive vice president and provost.
Sampson was an ideal choice for the program, said MATC Accounting instructor Erin Dischler, who taught Sampson in her Accounting 1 and QuickBooks classes.
“It has been such a joy to watch her grow and thrive,” Dischler said. “She approaches every challenge with enthusiasm, determination and a positive spirit, and she consistently lifts others up along the way. Janae’s dedication, leadership and willingness to mentor her peers make teaching deeply rewarding. Students like Janae are exactly what make my role as an instructor so fulfilling.”
Sampson is no stranger to being selected for prestigious career development programs. In the summer, Sampson attended the Accounting Scholars Development Program at Howard University in Washington, D.C., a competitive, paid residential summer program that introduces two-year college students to university life and the accounting profession.
She learned valuable lessons about the cooperative nature of accounting. “I was surprised by how much collaboration is involved,” she said. “I used to think of accounting as mostly numbers and individual work, but I learned that teamwork, communication and problem-solving are just as important.”
Sampson came to accounting later in life. She graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis in 2015 and wanted to become a lawyer. She completed Marquette University’s Upward Bound pre-college program, then had her first child.
In 2017, she enrolled in MATC’s Legal Studies/Paralegal program. She switched to Criminal Justice Studies, then left school to have her second child.
She worked as a personal banker at U.S. Bank in Milwaukee for two years and as a recruiter at Manpower Group for several years. She then took a job at a financial literacy company that unlocked her passion for accounting.
“I was in a field where I was breaking down barriers to help people learn about their finances,” she said. “I wanted to do that on a larger scale and that drew me to accounting.”
With the Bucks, Sampson hopes to learn how accounting fits into a large organization. “You can do so many things with accounting,” she said. “It’s more than just numbers.”
Sampson is on track to receive her associate degree in the spring of 2026. She plans to transfer to Lakeland University and earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, then become a certified public accountant.
“MATC has been amazing,” Sampson said. “There have been so many opportunities for me and my instructors have been very involved in helping all along the way.
“I’m deeply grateful to the leadership at MATC and the Bucks organization for creating meaningful spaces like this,” she added. “I’m excited for what’s ahead—and even more passionate about paying it forward and serving as an example for others who may not yet see the light at the end of their tunnel.”
Learn more about MATC’s Accounting program
About MATC: Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
