University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: Alumni News

UW–Madison alumna Chávez-Moreno honored with 2026 Anna Julia Cooper Award

UW–Madison alumna Laura C. Chávez-Moreno, who earned her PhD from the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2018, has received the 2026 Anna Julia Cooper Award from the American Sociological Association’s Section on the Sociology of Education. Established in 2022, the award recognizes exceptional research and service advancing racial equity in education. …

Kaiser receives Forward Award from Wisconsin Alumni Association

Dakota Kaiser, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from UW–Madison along with certificates in educational policy studies and environmental studies, is the recipient of a 2026 Alumni Award from the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Kaiser is one of six recipients of the Forward Award, which recognizes rising stars who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea …

Madison365, Cap Times report on new Milwaukee Brewers mural by School of Education alumna

School of Education alumna Emily Balsley has collaborated for a second time with the Milwaukee Brewers on art that celebrates baseball and those who love the game. Madison365 recently reported on a new, 50-foot mural created by Balsley at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. The mural, “Seventh Inning Stretch,” celebrates “the energy and camaraderie of …

UW–Madison alum, Teacher of the Year featured in PBS Wisconsin series

UW–Madison alumnus Brian Counselman, who earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is featured in PBS Wisconsin Education’s new “Field Notes on Climate” series. The series helps students in grades 6–12 explore how climate change affects their communities while learning about the people working to …

BIOS Leadership and Coaching Symposium returns June 23 at Camp Randall Stadium

The fifth annual BIOS Leadership and Coaching Symposium will take place Tuesday, June 23, at Camp Randall Stadium, bringing together coaches and leaders from across Wisconsin and beyond for a day of learning, connection, and professional growth. This year’s theme, “Building Culture and Developing Your People,” focuses on empowering participants to create meaningful impact within their …

School of Education artists earn top honors in 2026 Arts Business Competition

Two School of Education artists were recognized in the 2026 Arts Business Competition at UW–Madison: MFA candidate Fatemeh Fani received the first place award, and Maja Hastings, a 2025 Art Department alumna, finished second place. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arts Business Competition invites current students from across campus to submit proposals for an arts event, …

UW–Madison alumna shares coin-based art on CBS Sunday Morning

UW–Madison alumna and Philadelphia-based artist Stacey Lee Webber was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning, speaking about her work transforming spare change into valuable, coin-based art. For nearly two decades, Webber, who earned her MFA from the School of Education’s Art Department, has used reworked coins and bills into jewelry and sculptures made entirely of money. “I’ve …

School of Education alumna Erin Gill wins national honor for dissertation on LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas

An alumna of the UW–Madison School of Education has been awarded the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2026 Dissertation of the Year Award from the organization’s Rural Education Special Interest Group. Erin Gill, who graduated with her doctoral degree from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2025, is now a postdoctoral researcher …

UW–Madison alumna wins Dissertation of the Year Award

UW–Madison alumna Nicole Contreras-Garcia is the recipient of the Richard M. Romano Dissertation of the Year Award from the Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC). Contreras-Garcia earned her PhD from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2025 and is now an assistant professor of higher education leadership …

UW–Madison alumna receives AERA dissertation honor

UW–Madison alumna Bethany Sansing-Helton has received an honorable mention for the 2025–26 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division J Dissertation of the Year Award. Sansing-Helton earned her PhD in 2025 from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Her dissertation, “Toward a New Theoretical and Empirical Understanding of Faculty Engagement with …