Students and alumni who are available for prospective La Follette School graduate students to contact.
Amneet Kaur, Certificate in Public Policy
"What excites me most about the public policy certificate is how it connects what I am learning to real life decisions"
Clara Yoder, Certificate in Public Policy
"I took PA 200 as a freshman and enjoyed learning about the different policy spheres. From there, I decided to add the public policy certificate."
Laila McLaughlin, MPA
"These courses have shaped how I approach policy questions, grounding analysis in data while remaining attentive to lived experience and institutional power."
Sam Wood, MPA
"I am already seeing the payoff of building these quantitative foundations which provide me with a stronger analytical skillset when evaluating policy."
Ethan Dickler, MPA ’23
"Since starting at the Reference Bureau, I have only grown in my appreciation for the Wisconsin Idea and see the La Follette School as part of that original mission."
Gillian Giglierano, MPA ’23
"Having the flexibility to dig into topics that interested me as I grew each semester was very rewarding."
Abby Buschette, MIPA
"I was drawn to La Follette because of its small class size, focus on quantitative skills, and location."
Carolina Sanchez, MIPA
"I was interested in La Follette because of the MIPA program in particular. I knew I wanted to focus on policy, but from an international perspective."
Katie Simaz, MPA-MS URPL
"I was drawn to La Follette for the opportunity to study in two really excellent master programs."
Julian Berkey, Certificate in Public Policy
"Ultimately, I aspire to build a career in government, and I am open to opportunities at both the state and federal levels."
Anna Kane, MPA
"I have appreciated the opportunity to dive into long-term projects at La Follette, particularly in Policy Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and the Capstone."
Travis Austin, MPA
"The most rewarding experience of this program is the ability to work on client projects that have real impacts..."
Grace Florence, MPA
"I felt the 5+1 program was a way to fine-tune my skills while at the same time transitioning from political work to evidence-based policy research to better prepare me for meaningful work in public service."
Kate Austin Stanford – Alumni in the Spotlight
"My approach to managing federal funding during the COVID‑19 response was shaped by a strong sense of stewardship, a value reinforced during my time at La Follette."
Michelle Kowaletti, MPA, MPH
"The Wisconsin Idea’s core message keeps us respectful and open to dialogue while giving us the tools to support evidence-based measures."
Katie Campbell, MPA
"The knowledge from the core classes here at La Follette has enhanced my skill set and instilled a new perspective on politics, policy, and how the world works."
Andrew Lindaas, MPA, JD
"The most rewarding experience at La Follette has been the reception of La Follette's administrative staff, my professors, and my cohort."
Adam Smith, MPA ’11, Urban & Regional Planning
"I’m excited to help welcome a group from La Follette to the Twin Cities in January, and I believe the trip will provide a unique chance for students to explore some of the opportunities that the region has to offer."
Jacklyn Alsbro, MPA, EAP
"I am excited to be continuing my work in energy policy at LFS where I can make a positive impact in decarbonizing the electric grid."
Htet Hlawn, MIPA
"I am incorporating so many values from the Wisconsin Idea ideology to empower Wisconsin youth to make a social impact abroad through volunteering."
Tim Casper — Alumni in the Spotlight
Tim Casper (MA ’99) serves as the executive vice president at Madison Area Technical College.
Pamela Ritger de la Rosa — Alumni in the Spotlight
Ritger de la Rosa (MIPA’13) serves as environmental sustainability program manager and deputy director for the City of Milwaukee Environmental Sustainability Office.
Zach Vruwink — Student in the Spotlight
"I am excited to continue a career aimed at improving the lives of Wisconsin’s citizens."
Muhammad Rehan, MIPA
"La Follette isn’t just a school; it’s a place where people lift each other up, making it an incredibly supportive environment."
Ali Mammadov, MPA, EAP
"La Follette deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness between local actions and global impacts, reinforcing my commitment to evidence-based, inclusive policymaking."
Gatiosso Traore, MIPA
"I’m planning to move to D.C. after graduation, and I already have alumni there helping me find a place and introducing me to people to connect with."
Miranda Garcia-Dove, Certificate in Public Policy
"The La Follette School has changed the way I think about policy by reinstating hope that we can work across difference and that there are shared goals and interests that we can leverage."
Andrew VanderMeer, MPA ’24
"In short, the core set of skills La Follette teaches were identical to what my employer was looking for!"
Graham Stier, MPA
"As an undergraduate student at UW–Madison, I found the Accelerated program highly appealing because I'll be able to graduate in five years with a master's degree that provides me with a real-world skill set."
Summer Mitchell, MPA
"La Follette sharpened my ability to communicate policy issues concisely, craft clear recommendations, and use data-driven analysis to evaluate policy effectiveness."
Tatiana Cruz, MIPA ’24
"The La Follette School offers top-tier policy training, a supportive community, and strong faculty mentorship that prepares you for both academia and policy work."
Richmond Panford, MPA
"The La Follette School emphasizes training and education in evidence-based policy."
Paddy Kenny, MIPA
"My time in school here has reinforced the importance of empirical analysis in policy design and evaluation."
Cameron Towne, MPA
"I’ve appreciated meeting classmates with very different experiences (both professional and personal) who come from all over the world."
Gretchen Allman, MIPA
"I was initially drawn here by the opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, the small cohort, and the plentiful resources for UW graduate students."
Grace George, MPA ’21
"I really enjoyed the friends I made while at the La Follette School."
Eltaj Sadigova, MPA
"My courses at the La Follette School have equipped me with the analytical tools and policy knowledge essential for my career goals. The program’s emphasis on real-world applications and practical experience has also prepared me to engage in impactful work within governmental organizations, particularly in the field of international relations"
Sam Schneider, MPA ’23
"At the La Follette School, I developed not only the technical skills to analyze and implement policy but also the ability to approach complex issues with an open-minded perspective."
Ian Pearson, MPA ’22
"My entire career was shaped by my experience at La Follette."
Hunter McCormick, MPA
"What made me choose La Follette was the responsiveness and care from staff members and the ability to 'shape your own degree' with electives."
Jenna Greene, MPA ’22
"I enjoyed the group work at LFS - I learned a lot from my classmates and enjoyed the discussions we had in and outside the classroom."
Matthew Hansen, JD-MPA ’22
"La Follette is a very reputable program with a great faculty that actually care about your success."
Katie Pollock, MPA ’22
"My client-based capstone project had a significant impact on my career path. This experience encouraged me to apply for a job opening in DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, where I currently work."
Mitchell Wenzel, MPA ’23
"At La Follette, I gained essential analytical skills through courses like Public Budgeting and Program Evaluation, which prepared me to navigate the complexities of government finance."
Jean Vilbert, MIPA ’22
"I would highly recommend the La Follette School to any prospective student because of its exceptional placement record. The school consistently positions its graduates for success across a range of career paths (government, NGOs, and academia)."
Nova Tebbe, MPA ’22
"The small class sizes (at the La Follette School) gave me the opportunity to talk and connect with other people, whether they had similar or different policy interests."
Corissa Uselmann, MPA ’20
"I think the biggest thing I learned at La Follette is that our job isn’t done until we have completed an evaluation stage on any given project or work product. I have taken this to heart and have actively worked towards implementing data-driven feedback loops in every role or project I have worked on professionally."
Richard Shrout, MPA ’72
"The big lesson that I can pass to current students is the knowledge that a masters degree is just a ticket to get you into the door. Life after that is a continuing process of learning new things and sharpening what you thought you already knew.”
Sabina Huseynova, MPA
"The La Follette School’s small class sizes and low teacher-to-student ratio allow for personalized learning and mentorship. The school’s strong emphasis on quantitative skills and its location in a capital city make it ideal for practical learning in public policy."
Mohammad Eshaghi, MPA, EAP
"I always had this passion for witnessing the result of my work and effort in the real world and making a tangible impact on society."