The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.
Following is a Q&A with Alannah Meese, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Educational Policy Studies with a certificate in Dance and graduating in spring 2027.
Where are you from, and how did you become interested in pursuing a degree in this field? I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I came to UW–Madison with an understanding that I was passionate about education reform, specifically public school advocacy and improving educational outcomes for marginalized communities. When I found out about the Educational Policy Studies (EPS) program, I quickly realized the program would be a great fit for me and that I wanted to pursue a career in education administration and supervision.
What has been your most meaningful experience with the Educational Policy Studies program? One of my most meaningful experiences with the EPS program was being accepted into the Honors program for the major. I’ve gained so much meaningful knowledge in quantitative research methods, which I don’t think I would have experienced otherwise. I never thought I would be coding in this major, but I’m learning constantly and having so much fun!
What class or professor has had the greatest impact on you, and why? The class that has had the greatest impact on me was EdPol 350: Teaching & Learning in Diverse Settings with Susel Gevelber. This course helped me gain a true understanding about how much work goes into lesson planning, and how important it is to design your lesson activities and assessments to best meet your objectives as well as ensure that learning is happening. My key takeaway was that meaningful learning is based in curiosity and relies on an authentic and respectful relationship between the teacher and student.
What are your future goals or plans? After graduation, I’m hoping to continue my studies and pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Anything else you value about the School of Education or your program that you’d like to share with others who are considering it? I truly value the professors and TAs in the EPS department because they are all very passionate about their field and always come to class excited to teach every day. Also, they are willing to get to know their students personally and share valuable advice, making the experience feel much more memorable and worthwhile.
Do you have any tips for students thinking about how to maximize their experience? Take the time to explore the multitude of different EPS courses that are offered. There are so many options and you’re sure to find classes that not only satisfy degree requirements, but are interesting and enjoyable to be in.
Anything else that’s important to you about yourself or your studies or anything else? I’ve had the best time maximizing my experience in the School of Education through my involvement with the SoE student ambassadors, the EPS ambassador program, and the SoE Buddy program.