Alumni updates – May 2024

Jennifer Kammerud (MA ’98) helped to publish an Educator Preparation and Workforce Analysis Report, which provides an overview of the educator workforce in Wisconsin and identifies retention as the primary  reason Wisconsin has an educator shortage. Kammerud serves as director of the Licensing, Educator Development and Advancement Team in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Ken Smith (MPA ’18) started a new position as senior land use specialist at Waukesha County. Previously, Smith worked as a planner at the City of Glendale (Milwaukee County). He received an MPA and a master of science in urban and regional planning from UW–Madison in 2018.

Samuel Epstein (certificate in public policy ’21) will start a master’s program in security studies at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service this fall. Epstein graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and certificates in public policy, management and human resources, and history. He works as a senior consultant and defense congressional analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Brennan Gallagher (certificate in public policy ’22) will join Georgetown University’s Master in Public Policy/Master of Business Administration program in the fall. Gallagher, who grew up in Manhattan, has worked in Aon’s consulting practice in London since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and certificates in public policy and criminal justice in 2022.

Dylan Helmenstine (MPA ’22) was elected to the Black Earth village board as a trustee. Helmenstine works as a health care rate analyst in the Bureau of Rate Setting, Division of Medicaid Services at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, where he conducts analysis and program improvement for the state’s Medicaid waiver program.

Maša Bezbradica (certificate in public policy ’23) will start a master’s program in urban planning and policy design at the Politecnico di Milano. Bezbradica received a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and a certificate in public policy in 2023.

Ciboney Reglos (certificate in health policy ’24) received the 2024 College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Senior Award, which recognizes students for their scholastic performance, leadership, and service. Reglos graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in global health and a certificate in health policy.

Sophia Schoenfeld (certificate in health policy ’24) received the 2024 College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Senior Award, which recognizes students for their scholastic performance, leadership, and service. Schoenfeld graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a certificate in health policy.

Haoyan (Ken) Wang (MIPA ’24) will start a master’s program in committees on international relations at the University of Chicago. He has also been awarded a Midway Research Scholarship. Wang graduated with bachelor’s degrees in political science, international studies, and journalism with certificates in German, public policy, and European studies in 2023. He completed his MIPA degree from the La Follette School in May 2024. While at UW, Wang worked as an editorial intern at Ballotpedia, deputy editor in chief at The Wisconsin International Review, and as a communications and multimedia intern at the UW–Madison Language Institute.


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