Group photo from the 2024 WWIG Leadership Seminar.

Applications for the 2026 Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) Leadership Seminar are now open! We partner with WWIG to provide professional development seminars for women working in or with government. Applications are due January 5.

🔗 Read more and apply: buff.ly/gCKkcsO

Director Susan Yackee speaking at the event.

Director Susan Yackee and other speakers (Jodi Sandfort and Trevor Brown) speaking at the event.

Director Susan Yackee and other speakers (Jodi Sandfort and Trevor Brown) speaking at the event.

Director Susan Yackee was a keynote speaker at The Ohio State University's Glenn College Annual Leadership Forum, where she spoke about the new major, Main Street Agenda, and our focus on talking across the political divide in response to polarization as a driver of declining trust.

Portrait of Htet Hlawn with text: "Student Profile Htet Hlawn".

Htet Hlawn is a current MIPA student focused on youth development and inclusion policy. He's also resuming the student organization AISEC in Madison, which promotes youth leadership and cross-cultural understanding through volunteer and internship programs.

🔗 Read his full profile: buff.ly/zKG8LOi

NIU Today - Public administration’s Thurmaier receives Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievements When a Huskie asks to be his doctoral student, Kurt Thurmaier queries their curiosity. “I always ask them, ‘What is it you want to know?’ If they start telling me their interests, I say, ‘No, I want…

La Follette alum Kurt Thurmaier recently won the Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievements. He is a Distinguished Engagement Professor at Northern Illinois University, and he became NIU's inaugural chair of public administration in 2009.

Congratulations, Kurt! 🎉

⬇️ Read more: buff.ly/V8crGJG

Portrait of Zoe Kukla.

Public policy certificate student Zoe Kukla was named a Rhodes scholarship finalist this year, one of the world's most prestigious academic awards. She will graduate in May with a degree in history and political science. Congratulations, Zoe! 🎉

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/ifCdeBY

Check out what's happening at La Follette this month with Director Susan Yackee's latest video!

This month:
🎓 Undergraduate major: buff.ly/i8OMv2m
❄️ Winter Celebration: buff.ly/j1ESzEr
👋 David Weimer retiring: buff.ly/TF7ZQRm
🌟 Kohl Competition: buff.ly/gKuecFO

Students, faculty, and alumni connect at the State Capitol Eat & Greet.

This fall, we held three Eat & Greet events, connecting students with alumni in state government, local government, and higher education. Students heard from panelists and networked with alumni to gain insights, mentorship, and career opportunities in their fields.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/lUcimLt

Portrait of Tim Casper.

Tim Casper (MA '99) is the executive vice president of Madison Area Technical College, where the Wisconsin Idea is central to his work. Before returning to higher education, he spent 10 years in state government and the private sector.

Read his full profile: lafollette.wisc.edu/news/tim-cas...

Don’t let politics tear Thanksgiving apart. Talk it out. | Opinion The turkey’s gone tepid, the wine has erased everyone’s filter, and someone suddenly feels appointed to correct the family’s political worldview.

Check out @kristinbrey.bsky.social's excellent op-ed featuring our director, Susan Yackee, to learn about bridging political divides at the holiday dinner table, in the classroom, and beyond!

Your turkey dinner doesn't need to be ruined by politics | Opinion Kristin Brey and UW-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs Director Susan Yackee discuss polarization that has encroached on holiday dinners.

This Thanksgiving, politics doesn't have to ruin your dinner. In an interview with Kristin Brey, Director Susan Yackee explained that mixed-partisan tables may foster warmer feelings across the divide, despite polarization affecting holiday dinners.

⬇️ Watch the full interview: buff.ly/m2BP81o

Photo of students and alumni listening to panelists at the State Capitol Eat & Greet.

Photo of students and Wisconsin Representative Robert Wittke.

From classrooms to events, we worked with some amazing policymakers and campus groups this semester. These partnerships help support our students and prepare them for impactful careers. Thank you!

Read more: buff.ly/W3L62tI

Evers proclaims October as Wisconsin’s Financial Planning Month Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin financial departments have deemed October as Wisconsin’s Financial Planning Month in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy, according to an…

Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin financial departments declared October as Wisconsin's Financial Planning Month, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy. Professor J. Michael Collins shared how financial literacy and planning is unappealing, especially to students.

Read more:

Image of Minneapolis skyline with text "Calling Twin Cities Alumni! Connect with tomorrow's leaders at our LFS in the Twin Cities Alumni Reception."

Join us for a reception for La Follette alumni and friends to meet with current students on January 15! Alumni can learn about ways to engage with our programs as students connect and seek career advice.

🔗 Read more information on the event: lafollette.wisc.edu/event/la-fol...

Americans want to restore civility. A new UW-Madison major will help. | Opinion UW-Madison will launch a new major in public policy. The most exciting element is that it will center civil dialogue in its curriculum.

Director Susan Yackee argued in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that despite declining trust, many Americans want to restore civility and common ground. Our new public policy major will help students practice that civil dialogue.

⬇️ Read the full op-ed: www.jsonline.com/story/opinio...

Solar panel installation.

Morgan Edwards and @gregnemet.net recently discussed the COP30 and the United States' withdrawal from climate change efforts in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. However, a record number of Americans see global warming as a threat and climate work continues.

Read the full story here: buff.ly/jbf4JCr

New undergraduate major in public policy to debut fall 2026 A bachelor's degree in public policy will prepare students for successful careers in government, nonprofits, consulting, advocacy, and business.

As the La Follette School continues to grow and student demand is at an all-time high, we're excited to launch our new undergraduate major in fall 2026, focused on civil dialogue, working across differences, and finding common ground.

⬇️ Read more: lafollette.wisc.edu/news/new-und...

With the Wisconsin Exchange, UW–Madison is strengthening a culture of civil dialogue across difference The new initiative connects existing programs and cultivates new opportunities to make constructive conversation a visible and integral part of everyday life on campus.

The La Follette School is proud to be involved with the Wisconsin Exchange initiative, an effort crucial to our goal of tackling tomorrow's policy problems through civil dialogue in a polarized world.

⬇️ Read more about the program and our involvement: news.wisc.edu/with-the-wis...

Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan giving his talk at the event.

Missed our Hilldale Lecture with Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan? The full recording is now live! Watch the full talk at home and learn all about the different kinds of AI: buff.ly/Fq24UAq

For a written overview, check out this Cap Times article covering the event: buff.ly/eWhQYoj

We're excited to launch our new undergraduate major in public policy, coming fall 2026! This 30-credit program will prepare students for careers in government, nonprofits, advocacy, and business.

⬇️ Watch Director Susan Yackee share more about what the major offers: www.youtube.com/shorts/JKFmm...

YouTube video by La Follette School of Public Affairs We're building the wrong AI with Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan

We know the feeling, Madison has a way of sticking with you! Luckily, the full recording is now available to watch online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRq1.... We hope you enjoy the event!

Panelists Christina Klawitter, Jess Lathrop, and Sylvia Ramirez speaking at the event.

Students, alumni, and panelists network during the event.

Today, La Follette and School of Education students attended our Higher Ed Eat & Greet with the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis. Thank you to our panelists and alumni for sharing their valuable insights!

Students stand for a group photo with Chuck Pruitt, Lisa Ellinger, and Andrew Richards.

Chuck Pruitt addresses students seated in a classroom.

Chuck Pruitt, Lisa Ellinger, and Andrew Richards smile while sitting at the front of a classroom.

Experts in higher ed and state government visited our Politics of State Policy Issues class last week. Thanks to our board member, Chuck Pruitt, and alumni Andrew Richards and Lisa Ellinger for meeting with our master's students!

Image of four of LSSA's new merchandise items, including a tote bag, t-shirt, quarter zip, and hat.

The La Follette School Student Association is selling La Follette apparel! Support LSSA and show your La Follette pride by purchasing any of these limited-edition or classic styles by November 17.

🔗 Order yours today: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

Two former recipients of the Alumni of Distinction Award hold the 2024 award.

Know a La Follette alum making a difference? Each year, we honor alumni who make significant societal impacts in their professional careers, community service, and La Follette contributions with the Alumni of Distinction Award.

🔗 Submit your nomination by December 15: buff.ly/jzyWyvk

Image of the Wisconsin State Capitol and the Forward Statue. Text reads "Master of Public Affairs", "Small School, Big Impact", & "Apply Now".

Don't miss our Master's degree program virtual information sessions this Friday from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.! Learn more about our degrees, including admissions, funding, and what you can do with a Master of Public Affairs or Master of International Public Affairs degree.

Learn more: buff.ly/yLjwT98

Jason Fletcher interviewing Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan.

Photo of Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan during his talk.

Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan and Jason Fletcher during their interview.

Last week, Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan gave a talk on two types of AI—one that does what the smartest people can do, and one that does even what they can't. The second kind, transformative AI, can help society grow.

"The more people can understand the choices they have, the better we'll be," he said.

Collage of portraits of Christina Klawitter, Jess Lathrop, and Sylvia Ramirez.

Don't forget: our Higher Ed Eat & Greet is one week away! Network with students, alumni, and professionals in Higher Education fields and listen to a panel of experts.

Learn more about the Eat & Greet and La Follette alumni currently working in higher education: lafollette.wisc.edu/news/the-pol...

Portrait of Pamela Ritger de la Rosa.

MIPA alum Pamela Ritger de la Rosa serves as environmental sustainability program manager and deputy director for the City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office, a connection she made through her La Follette capstone client project.

Read her full Q&A: lafollette.wisc.edu/news/alumni-...

Here and Now | Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on Civil Discourse at UW-Madison | Season 2400 | Episode 2416 Jennifer Mnookin on a program to support dialogue amid free speech concerns on campus.

I recently sat down with @pbswisconsin.bsky.social’s Here & Now to share more about the Wisconsin Exchange at @uwmadison.bsky.social — giving Badgers opportunities to engage across differences, learn from one another, and build skills for civil dialogue:

Portrait of Theola Carter.

Theola Carter, MA’91, currently works as Manager of Policy and Program Improvement for Dane County's Office for Equity and Inclusion. She has dedicated her career to helping people, and now works to improve racial equity in Dane County.

Read her full Q&A: lafollette.wisc.edu/alumni-profi...