Inspiring evidence-based policymaking
I spent a year working at a rural homeless shelter in Colorado. This experience sparked my desire to work in policy, specifically housing and welfare policy. I am hoping to use my MPA to help make housing more accessible for everyone.
I am a research assistant at the Institute for Research on Poverty. Through that work, I have gained qualitative and quantitative research experience, examining how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted child support practice and family outcomes in Wisconsin.
"We performed a cost-benefit analysis on lead pipe replacement throughout the city to minimize negative health effects."
As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with how and why organizations make the decisions they do. As an undergraduate student government leader, I worked extensively within my university’s shared governance process.
"The La Follette School is great at providing connections with alumni who can give you great advice about what courses to take, what the ups and downs of their jobs are like, and just give you great guidance all around."
"Academically and professionally, I sought a challenging program that was a catalyst in its field. I was drawn to the prestige, longevity, and history of the La Follette School."
"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."
"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."
During my time working with small-scale and beginning farmers, I began to realize how the lack of portable benefits packages and incentives to save for retirement would affect not only a large and under-represented group of workers, but ultimately the U.S. economy.
My most rewarding experience has been getting to know the community. My classmates have unique life experiences they bring to the classroom, which make discussions engaging.