After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in eastern Ukraine, Christopher Russell came to recognize Americans should strive to protect and improve the U.S. justice system. "I realized during my travels that our country's rule of law, while far from perfect, is a unique and very important characteristic," the La Follette School student says.

The La Follette School will host an admissions Q&A web chat on Monday, December 19, from 5 to 6 p.m. Associate director Don Moynihan, admissions and advising coordinator Mary Treleven and student services associate Mary Mead will answer questions from prospective students about admissions and the graduate program. Visit the event web page to participate and sign up for event reminders.

The La Follette School will host an admissions Q&A web chat on Thursday, November 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. Associate director Don Moynihan, admissions and advising coordinator Mary Treleven and student services associate Mary Mead will answer questions from prospective students about admissions and the graduate program. Visit the event web page to participate and sign up for event reminders.

Creative financing can lead to good environmental work and demonstrate that sustainability initiatives can be good for the economy and the environment, says 2002 alum Erick Shambarger, who is the City of Milwaukee's deputy director of environmental sustainability.

At the macro level, good health policy is a matter of choice for Lilly Shields. At the micro level, choices may not be so clear. The four years Shields has spent as a public affairs and law student thinking about the effects of health-care legislation and policy have only solidified her belief that the policy a society enacts is a matter of choice.

After finding that people in Wisconsin and in the Dominican Republic encountered many of the same issues related health, environment and education, Norma-Jean Simon decided to pursue a dual degree in public health and public policy at the La Follette School.

As a rate analyst and policy advisor for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's Division of Gas and Energy, Corey Singletary works primarily on electric and gas and utility issues related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid technologies.

Addison Smith has found a way to bring together his diverse interests: a dual degree in international public affairs and law with a career goal of working in international copyright law.

For Sean Stalpes, much of his job satisfaction comes from helping parties with different points of view reach consensus. The 2009 grad is an energy technologies specialist with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The fingerprints of a La Follette School student and staff member are on a wide-ranging study that promotes greater autonomy and accountability for the 150,000-student University of Wisconsin System.