In June, the La Follette School collaborated with the UW–Madison Chancellor’s Office, Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, and Wisconsin State Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer to facilitate professional development training for Assembly staff. A bipartisan group of 17 staff members participated in the four-day graduate-level course, designed to provide a foundational understanding of public policy analysis and public management. The course was taught by 11 La Follette faculty and faculty affiliates and focused on topics including energy, health, trade, political communications, and polling.
“Our nonpartisan collaboration with the Assembly reflects the La Follette School’s deep commitment to the Wisconsin Idea,” said La Follette School Director and Professor Susan Webb Yackee.
Ninety-four percent of participants rated the overall quality of the training “Excellent” or “Very Good” and believed the training facilitated connections with peers across the aisle. Eighty-eight percent of participants felt the training provided information and helped them build skills that are relevant to their job.
“This program offers legislative staff a deeper understanding of the policy areas they regularly address in their job,” Yackee said. “They also get a chance to practice and get feedback on important, policy-relevant skills.”