Alumni News
Alumni use public and health policy certificate skills in health professional training
Alumni Lauren Gadek and Myesha Williams share how they have used skills gained in our certificate programs in their health professional training.
La Follette School celebrates 40 years
Throughout its history, the La Follette School has embraced the Wisconsin Idea through research that informs better policymaking and by educating future policy leaders who have the skills to discover, critically examine, and preserve knowledge that will benefit our future society.
Carte’cia Weaver (Lawrence) – Alumni in the Spotlight
Carte’cia Weaver (formerly Lawrence) is a senior racial equity policy analyst with Kids Forward, a Wisconsin-wide policy center.
William Schmitt – Alumni in the Spotlight
William Schmitt (MIPA ’05) is the executive director of the social service agency Rooted and Rising – Washington Park.
John Elliott – Alumni in the Spotlight
John Elliot (MPA ‘89) is the Administrator of the Division of Safety and Permanence for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
Alumni news – February 2024
Find out where our 2023 master's degree graduates are working and where other alumni started new positions.
Randy Romanski – Alumni in the Spotlight
Randy Romanski is Secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Kim Plache – Alumni in the Spotlight
Kim Plache is the Deputy Executive Director at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Steven Little – Alumni in the Spotlight
Steven Little is the Deputy Secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Alumni news – January 2024
In the new year, several of our alumni recently shared their journeys as mentors, parents, spouses, and family members.
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Alumni Profiles
Karina Virrueta Running, MPA ’17
"The workshop course was as challenging as it was rewarding. I also made lasting friendships with my peers and the professors."
Hilary Shager, MPA ’05
"La Follette is the epitome of the Wisconsin Idea. And it’s certainly not just about Wisconsin—the staff and faculty have done so much to connect students with alumni and new, real-world opportunities."
Sophia Rogers, MPA ’19
"La Follette has prepared and empowered all of us to do amazing things."
Muhammed Fofana, MPA ’22
"The client-based project was one of my favorite experiences at La Follette. I worked with a great team of faculty, client, and classmates."
Jess Rutstein, MPA ’20
Alum Jess Rutstein works as a FoodShare Program and policy analyst for the WI Department of Health Services.
Ryan LeCloux, MIPA ’18
"The small cohort size really allows you to get to know your classmates and interact with the faculty."
Yixuan Cheng, MIPA, MPH ’21
"The small class size and ability to gain quantitative skills also drew me to the La Follette School since I had limited experience with them as an undergraduate."
Mikhaila Calice, MPA ’19
"I am extremely grateful for how flexible the program is. Its design allows students to craft a curriculum that suits their own specialties."
Nikolai Kapustin, MIPA ’19
"The La Follette School has a professional-oriented curriculum that focuses on giving you an applicable skillset and list of experiences that will make you a desirable candidate in future applications."
Victor Escalona Aldana, MPA ’21
"My client-based projects gave me useful real-world experience that can be transferred to other settings."
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