News: O'Connor

The La Follette School welcomed more than 50 prospective graduate students March 22 for its second all-virtual Visit Day. More than three dozen faculty, staff, and students assisted with the event, which was organized by Marie Koko and David Wright-Racette.

I was drawn to UW–Madison because of my respect for the history of social change and challenge driven by students and select faculty, from the Civil Rights Movement era and beyond—Chicanx students, Black American students, environmental justice advocates, workers’ rights advocates, and allies who have driven change locally and nationally.

I was especially drawn to the Accelerated MPA program because it has allowed me to begin working on my master’s degree while finishing up my bachelor’s degree. The small class size has allowed me to meet some amazing people who have helped make virtual learning easier.

Mo O’Connor, the La Follette School’s senior student services coordinator, celebrated 20 years of service to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in January. O’Connor has served as the La Follette School’s student services leader since June 2017.

La Follette School staff member David Wright-Racette has received a 2020–2021 University Staff Excellence Award from the College of Letters & Science (L&S).

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.

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 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.