Ethan Dickler, MPA ’23
Contact Ethan
Hometown
Dodgeville, WisconsinUndergraduate education
Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, certificate in European Studies, UW–MadisonEmployer
Wisconsin Legislative Reference BureauJob title
Legislative AnalystStart Date
August 2025Primary Job Responsibilities
Researching inquiries for members of the legislature, memo writing, attending session/hearingsHow did you begin your career after graduating from La Follette and what path led you to your current position?
Upon graduating from La Follette, I worked at the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) as a compliance auditor for two years. During this time, I conducted financial and compliance audits of state agencies. Programs that I audited include Medicare, FoodShare, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, and Employee Trust Funds (ETF), among others. It was a steep learning curb the first year as I learned how to conduct interviews with state agency workers, recalculated financial records to ensure accuracy, and ensured that state agencies complied with federal rules per Parts 3 and 4 of the Federal Compliance Supplement. After two years of auditing, I realized that while my quantitative skills were excelling, I was spending less of my day writing, which is my true passion in life. Because I value working in the nonpartisan space, I remained within the legislative branch agencies and moved across the square to work at the Reference Bureau as an analyst.What drew you to the La Follette School?
In my student profile, I said the Wisconsin Idea drew me to La Follette for my studies. Since starting at the Reference Bureau, I have only grown in my appreciation for the Wisconsin Idea and see the La Follette School as part of that original mission.Describe a project that best illustrates your job.
Most of my work is confidential and therefore not something I can make public. However, I did get to draft this Assembly Resolution recently that was fun to research and rewarding to see adopted by the assembly. If you look at the top right corner, you can even see my initials.Most rewarding La Follette School experience
Probably working on my policy analysis for Dr. Weimer’s class. I researched strategies to reduce Black infant mortality in Wisconsin. It is an issue that continues to be debated in the state today and the project taught me about serval different social programs and the politics involved in them.If any La Follette School alumni and/or friends have helped you with your career path or course work, who was it and how did they mentor you?
My current boss Madeline Kasper continues to be a mentor to me as I develop as an analyst. She has been an invaluable guide as I navigate the legislature and improve my writing.