Record number of students attend La Follette in DC trip

La Follette students pose in front of statues, including a Bob La Follette statue, as part of a Capitol tour.

The La Follette School rang in the new year by embarking on a two-day trip to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Over 40 graduate students and staff attended numerous site visits to public, private, and nonprofit organizations working to advance and shape the future of public policy in the United States and abroad. The trip also provided students with the opportunity to meet La Follette alumni currently living and working in the D.C. area.   

La Follette was able to send a record number of students on this year’s trip thanks to a generous gift from Ascendium Education Group, which funded students’ flights and hotel rooms. An alumni and friends reception on the second night of the visit was hosted by three long-time supporters of the La Follette School: Don Eggert (MPA ’15), Board of Visitors member Terry Lierman (MA ’71), and former president of the Universities of Wisconsin and La Follette Board of Visitors member Katharine Lyall. 

“The trip provided my classmates and me with an incredible opportunity to connect with professionals living and working in D.C.,” said MPA student Grace Florence. “It showed me some of the many opportunities that earning my degree from La Follette will unlock, allowing me to make a meaningful impact in public policy.”

Students sit around a conference room and listen to a speaker
A group of students began their day of site visits at Pew Research Center.
Lisa Ellinger and Susan Yackee pose with Mark Pocan in front of an American flag
La Follette School Director Susan Yackee (center) and Lisa Ellinger, director of strategic initiatives (left), met with United States Representative for Wisconsin’s second district, Mark Pocan (right), while visiting Congress. La Follette staff visited all 10 offices in the Wisconsin congressional delegation and made connections with alumni in several different congressional offices during the La Follette in D.C. trip.
Students pose for a photo around a conference table
Students on a site visit to American Clean Power Association.
Students stand in front of a sign that says "National Endowment for Democracy"
Students paused for a photo before their site visit at the National Endowment for Democracy.
Students pose in front of a sign that reads "Urban Institute."
Another group of students visited the Urban Institute, an American think tank based in Washington, D.C.
Two alumni pose for a photo at the alumni and friends reception.
Graduate students, staff, and alumni gathered at an evening networking event at Logan Tavern hosted by supporters of the La Follette School.
A group of people pose for a photo at the alumni and friends reception.
Over 80 people attended the alumni and friends reception.
An audience listens to a panel discussion on a stage with the words "Booz Allen" in the background.
The trip concluded at Booz Allen, a consulting firm, where students listened to an alumni panel moderated by La Follette School director of career and employer services, Marie Koko (left).
People mingle in the lobby of Booz Allen.
Students spoke with Alex Conant, La Follette Board of Visitors member and a partner at Firehouse Strategies, who served on a panel at the Booz Allen Hamilton site visit.
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– Story by MPA student Grace Florence