This spring, La Follette alum Kevin Dospoy co-authored “Affordability: More than Wages vs. Prices,” the latest Forward Analytics Spotlight with current MPA student Jacob Anderson. Dospoy graduated with an MPA in 2017 and now serves as the director of research at Forward Analytics, a nonpartisan public-policy research organization based in Madison. Anderson, a research analyst at Forward Analytics, will also earn his MPA this spring.
Dospoy says he has always been drawn to data and making policy accessible and useful for state and local policymakers. He is especially motivated by the connection between policy decisions made in Madison and their real-world effects on people’s daily lives.
Reflecting on how La Follette shaped that perspective, Dospoy explains, “My time at La Follette introduced me to the intricacies of local government policy and finance. It really gave me the opportunity to explore these issues in depth through various class assignments, as well as internships and interaction with thought leaders and policy experts.”
La Follette’s strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and data analysis was, Dospoy believes, a vital part of building the skills he has relied on throughout his career. He says the school’s project-based classes and emphasis on internship experience not only tested those skills, but reinforced the foundation built in the classroom. Just as importantly, Dospoy credits La Follette with introducing him to mentors, professors, and local government leaders who had a lasting impact on his professional path.
“I aim to repay their incredible kindness by doing what I can to mentor the next generation of policy analysts and data wonks,” he says. “I have the pleasure of working with a current MPA student, Jacob Anderson, and it gives me great hope for the future of our state that La Follette is graduating students as smart and as well prepared as Jacob. His depth of thought and ability to look at issues from all angles has really shown through, and I credit that to his time at the La Follette School.”
Dospoy’s commitment to paying mentorship forward is evident in his work with Anderson. Meanwhile, working alongside Dospoy has given Anderson the opportunity to see how the skills learned at La Follette can be applied in a professional setting, helping guide him as he starts his career and finishes his final semester at La Follette.
“Working with Kevin has been a great experience. With Kevin being a La Follette alum, I have been able to see how he applies skills learned at La Follette in his work,” Anderson says. “I drew on skills from my classes for our recent report, ‘Affordability: More than Wages vs. Prices,’ and I look forward to continuing to apply my education in the future.”
Dospoy encourages students to reach out to professionals currently working in a field of interest. He emphasizes public policy is not only government work but also data analysis, advocacy, research, writing, legal work, and much more.
“You never know where opportunity awaits. Chances are that you’ll be working with many of them (alumni) after you graduate, and for years to come,” Dospoy says. “Take advantage of the La Follette alumni network.”
– Story by MPA student Grace Florence