June 22, 2026 | Alumni & Feature Stories
Paige (Polzer) Knipfer ’12 lives by a simple philosophy: say yes.
It’s a mindset that has taken her from swimming with sharks to exploring the Great Wall of China. But beyond the thrill of adventure and deep sense of curiosity, it’s also shaped a life grounded in connection—one where she takes time to show up for the people and communities that matter most. Along the way, Paige’s openness has led her down unexpected paths that delivered breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable experiences, and some of life’s most meaningful moments.
The Heart Behind the Adventure
As a child, Paige spent extended time in the hospital, including frequent stays at the Ronald McDonald House. She remembers the incredible support her family found there, sharing, “They have this amazing ability to step in and bring some normalcy into all the chaos.”
Though it’s not something she often leads with, those early experiences continue to shape how Paige shows up in the world today—with resilience, perspective, and a deep appreciation for the people who shine their light in life’s dark moments.
By the age of five, she had already undergone four open heart surgeries. Now, years later, she returns to volunteer with the same organization that once supported her own family, quietly offering hope and compassion to others walking through difficult seasons of their own. Those early experiences became more than part of Paige’s story; they became part of the way she moves through the world.
The Adventure of Becoming
That same resilient young child showed up on the Edgewood University campus as a teenager ready for her next adventure. Although she remembers having some self-doubt, Paige knew she wanted to continue her education. Choosing Edgewood was the easiest part. “All it took was one visit for me to fall in love with Edgewood,” Paige recalls.
But when it came to choosing a major, Paige was overwhelmed by the fact that she had so many interests. She struggled with a singular path that felt like it limited her interests which spanned history, education, graphic design, and political science. She recalls that as a freshman, one of her assignments required students to read each course description for the courses in their major. Since Paige was undecided on a major, she explored every major that piqued her interest and ultimately decided on political science.
Scholarships and grants made Edgewood more affordable than any of the public universities she applied to, which affirmed her decision. To bridge the financial gap, Paige had a variety of jobs. Working in the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) gave her a foundation in supporting others with technology, while her role as a Resident Assistant (RA) helped her build community and develop a deeper sense of responsibility for the student experience.
She helped students learn how to do laundry, connected them with resources, and listened. Recalling the time a student confided in Paige about their sexuality, she shared, “I was able to be part of people’s life changing experiences, and that was very life changing for me, too.” She was surprised by how much her college jobs prepared her for interviews—and her future career. She said, “Edgewood gave me life experiences—beyond the classroom— that helped me stand out in the interview process, think critically, and step confidently into any role.”
While focused on building community for the students on her floor, Paige found her people. Brought together by similar lived experiences, she forged lifelong friendships. More than 14 years after graduation, they remain connected—celebrating life, doing an annual “friendsgiving,” and showing up for one another.
Becoming More than a Tourist
Paige sought opportunities that expanded her perspective outside the classroom, off campus, and beyond Madison. A service trip to Guatemala sparked what would become a lifelong passion for travel and seeing the world through a broader lens. Although the experience initially felt financially out of reach, Paige found support through fundraising. She learned an important lesson—if something matters enough, you find a way to make it happen.
Although she already had enough credits to graduate, Paige couldn’t shake the idea of participating in “Semester at Sea,” a program that allowed students to study while traveling to countries around the world. Determined to make this dream a reality, she pursued scholarships, worked multiple campus jobs, and searched relentlessly for ways to reduce the cost. Eventually, her persistence paid off. She spent that semester living and learning aboard a ship that visited more than 15 countries.
Along the way, she was challenged not only in how she saw the world, but in how she showed up within it. During one assignment in Brazil, students painted homes in a village before returning to class to reflect on the experience. Their professor posed a simple question: What did the community need help with? Paige realized the residents were fully capable of painting their own homes but simply lacked access to the resources. “We learned that so often when helping others, we jump in to solve the problem we identified,” Paige said. “But we’ve never asked.” This is one of the many profound experiences that she applies to life every day.
The Values That Stay With Her
As a first-year student, Paige admits she didn’t fully appreciate Edgewood’s values-based education. Conversations about truth, justice, and community sometimes felt abstract. But over time, those values took root through experiences that challenged her to think critically, lead ethically, and serve others with empathy. By graduation, the principles she once dismissed had come to define her experience at Edgewood—and continue to guide her approach to work and life more than a decade after.
Today, Paige works in training and education for American’s Credit Unions, a role that blends training, technology, and helping people thrive professionally. Together, she and her husband are raising two young children who keep life full—and very busy. She also serves on the Oregon Village Board, continuing her commitment to community leadership and service.
Paige continues building a life grounded in purpose—embracing curiosity, advocating for her community, and remaining open to wherever opportunity may lead. She moves through life with a willingness to step forward, even when the path is unfamiliar. As she puts it, “I will never miss an opportunity to be present, show up—and say yes—to this beautiful life.”
Looking back, Paige still remembers Professor Steven Davis encouraging students to attend a peaceful protest—not simply to learn about civic engagement, but to experience it firsthand. It is a lesson that reflects the broader Political Science experience at Edgewood: learning not only how government and public affairs shape our lives, but also how individuals can help shape the world around them.