A list of students and alumni who are available for prospective La Follette School graduate students to contact.
Ryan Ring, MPA
"The most rewarding experience has been getting to know my cohort and the faculty. It truly is a community at La Follette."
Annalisa Solis, MPA
"The La Follette School has helped me define how I can create an impact in my policy interest areas while teaching me the technical skills I need in order to do so."
Erin Kennon, MPA
"We are encouraged to take everything that we’ve learned in our classes, use it in our professional lives, and spread that knowledge throughout the communities we engage in."
Awa Maïga, MIPA
"At La Follette, the unwavering support of the faculty and the plethora of networking opportunities further enhanced my educational journey."
Megan Westerman, MPA
"My research assistantship is just one example of how I am able to interact with faculty and professors in meaningful ways."
Madison Mehlberg, MPA
"La Follette has done a wonderful job of providing courses that show you multiple aspects of the policy world."
Caroline Corona, MPA
"I was drawn to the La Follette School’s curriculum, which focuses on the practical skills I was looking for."
Eli Tsarovsky, MPA-MPH
"I hope to use the skills I am gaining to lead real change in my community and empower it to make evidence-based and historically informed decisions."
Haoyan (Ken) Wang, MIPA
"I was drawn to La Follette mainly because of its faculty expertise, alumni network, and most importantly, many professional opportunities offered to its students."
Andrew VanderMeer, MPA
"The professors, students, and alumni of the La Follette School are part and parcel of so much of government here in Madison, which makes for a wonderful array of career opportunities"
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."
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."
Mark Moralez, MPA
"The coursework alone is top-tier, but talking to my peers and hearing their stories was a surprisingly invaluable source of knowledge and growth for me."
Angela Maloney, MPA
"Learning more about the human impact of policy as well as the benefit of being able to obtain an MPA with just one additional year post-undergrad were huge draws for me."
Troy Wilson, MPA
"I would like to use my La Follette education and previous experience in legislative and NGO settings to make a difference and promote the Wisconsin Idea."
Casey Hanson, MPA, MPH, Certificates in Gender and Women’s Studies and Intervention and Prevention Sciences
"I was drawn to La Follette because of the renowned faculty and opportunities to network with alumni and other important individuals in the policy realm."
Victor Escalona Aldana, MPA ’21
"My client-based projects gave me useful real-world experience that can be transferred to other settings."
Sukhvir Singh, MPA, MPH
"I hope to contribute to criminal justice reform by analyzing and advocating for policy changes surrounding the health of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals."
Gillian Giglierano, MPA
"The access to resources and connections you receive when you’re a La Follette student is incredible!"
Elizabeth Johnson, MPA, MPH
"If you are looking to create a better future for yourself or the world, you will have the opportunity to learn how to do that here at La Follette."
Nichole Springer, MIPA
"One of the most rewarding experiences at La Follette is being surrounded by a great cohort. Their talent, passion, and hard work also lifts me up as I continue to study."
Kao Lee Yang, MPA, PhD in Neuroscience
"The wonderful partnership between the La Follette School and the Neuroscience Training Program allows students in the combined program to simultaneously develop skills in science and policy."
Nova Tebbe, MPA, MPH, Energy Analysis and Policy Certificate
"I went to a small school for my undergraduate studies, and I wanted to keep this tight-knit community while also having the resources of a large and world-renowned research university."
Jackson Parr, MPA ’20
The breadth of coursework I completed at the La Follette School provided me the opportunity to approach challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. Flood events trigger many different social and institutional dynamics that all must be considered when identifying solutions.
Lauri Luosta, MIPA
I recommend (that prospective students choose their) courses carefully and ask for plenty of advice from faculty, alumni, etc. You may realize you could use certain kinds of skills for your future career, and if you learn about them early, you can pick appropriate courses. You have only four semesters at the La Follette School, so every course counts.
Ruanda McFerren, MPA, Master of Urban and Regional Planning
On a near daily basis, I am in meetings that relate to a real-world version of grad school group work. Whether it is assisting in development of a new citywide housing policy, compiling information on digital innovations, or coming up with ideas for #cityhallselfie day, much of the work I’m engaged in involves a deep level of communication and collaboration.