With 52 students, the La Follette School’s 2018 cohort includes a practicing physician, the founder of a nonprofit organization, an award-winning playwright, two nurses, a newspaper editor, a police officer, three military veterans, and people with a wide range of other experiences.

More than 150 people celebrated the start of another academic year at the La Follette School’s annual Hill Fest picnic September 3. Director and Professor Susan Webb Yackee welcomed everyone, including 52 incoming graduate students.

The main thing that drew me to the La Follette School was the flexible curriculum. In my previous degrees, the curriculum was always very specialized and rigid, and I really wanted a more liberal arts style education from my graduate studies.

I’ve learned so much! Especially about subjects that are so useful but had always grossed me out (statistics and economics). It’s also incredibly rewarding to be immersed in a place where so much learning is happening ... definitely an encouraging environment. And there are so many opportunities and resources that allow you to do whatever you want here.

I highly recommend applying for the La Follette School Summer Policy Learning Experience (internship grant) – it made possible my internship in Portugal!

Graduate school has been incredible in helping me find new areas of interest and connecting me with professionals and peers who have been instrumental in setting me on a path that I am confident about.

Mo O’Connor joined the La Follette School of Public Affairs as its student services coordinator June 26. She serves as the school’s admissions and advising coordinator, sharing information with prospective students and complementing faculty academic advisors.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs held its annual Visit Day for prospective graduate students March 23. With COVID-19 interrupting the typical semester at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this became a virtual visit day with 35 to 45 admitted applicants in attendance.