La Follette School of Public Affairs
Inspiring evidence-based policymaking

Student stories

News about our students and profiles sharing students’ experiences in our graduate programs.

We welcome updates from students. Share a story.

Student profiles

  • Portrait of Winter Petry

    Winter Petry — Student in the Spotlight

    "I’ve been fortunate to work with several outstanding La Follette alumni who have played important roles in my personal and professional development."

  • Portrait of Zach Vruwink

    Zach Vruwink — Student in the Spotlight

    "I am excited to continue a career aimed at improving the lives of Wisconsin’s citizens."

  • Portrait of Hunter McCormick.

    Student in the Spotlight: Hunter McCormick, LSSA President

    "The La Follette community welcomed me with open arms, and I am thankful to have gotten to know so many of my great peers in such a short time."

  • Portrait of Muhammad Rehan

    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."

  • Portrait of Ali Mammadov

    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."

  • Portrait of Gatiosso Traore

    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."

  • Portrait of Miranda Garcia-Dove

    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."

  • Portrait of Graham Stier

    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."

  • Portrait of Summer Mitchell

    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."

  • Portrait of Richmond Sanford

    Richmond Panford, MPA

    "The La Follette School emphasizes training and education in evidence-based policy."

  • More student profiles

News stories