1950s
Corinne Wick
BS 1952 — Education/Speech Therapy
Corky began as a young, married speech therapist in Providence, Rhode Island. She was married to another UW student who became a doctor and who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he and Corky were sent to Tripoli, Libya, from 1962-64. From there, she moved to California, where she continued as a speech teacher of public speaking. She also worked with the community of women in Mothertongue Feminist Readers’ Theater. She is now close to 90 and continues to perform.
Jeanne Arnold (Chalekian)
BS 1953 — English/Education
Jeanne, at 92, is publishing Jan Anthony’s feminist memoirs, “Not to be Denied” and “Gullibles’ Travels.” Jeanne’s 1997 book, “Amy Asks a Question …: Grandma — What’s a Lesbian?”, was nominated in the 1990s for a Lambda Literary Award. Jeanne taught English and journalism for five years, was a homemaker and parent, then a hospital PR director in Racine and Milwaukee. She was honored as a Fellow in the Wisconsin Hospital PR Association and is a graduate of distinction from Racine Horlick High School.
Stanley Krippner
BA 1954 — Speech Education
Stanley recently published his autobiography, “A Chaotic Life,” and his years at UW are prominently mentioned, especially his years on the Wisconsin Union Directorate, when he introduced Frank Lloyd Wright to a full house at the Union Theater.
Sally Frey
BS 1955 — Education
Sally graduated Bank Street Graduate School of Education, was Headstart director for centers in four New York City boroughs, and is a member of the board of a Harlem-based day care center.
Joan Gaska
BS 1956 — Applied Art
Joan worked as a cartographer prior to being married and raising a family of six. She worked part-time as a director of volunteer services for a nursing home and is currently retired.
Joan Gelhaus
BA 1957 — Elementary Education
Since retirement in 2000, Joan has taught in 20 different elementary schools in Madison as a substitute. Taking her final retirement, Joan is doing some international traveling and living in Madison.
Darlene Scherer
BS 1959 — English and Speech, and Secondary Education
Darlene worked as a high school teacher in Jefferson, Wisconsin, for two years and for 13 years at St. Joseph’s in South Bend Indiana. She also completed master’s projects on methods of evaluating student writing; worked in an intellectual property law firm. Darlene reports she was married, widowed, with three children and six grandchildren.
1960s
Jo Ann Jenson
BS 1960 — English
Jo Ann retired from Indiana University as a professor of English; and since has worked as a guardian ad litem.
Connie Allen
MS 1962 — Education
Connie is retired.
Sandra Holubow
BS 1963 — Art Education
Sandra is still creating and exhibiting. Two of her works were part of the Anderson Art Center, Chicago Society of Artists Show. Next, a collage will be at the Elmhurst Museum with the Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists. She shares:“Creativity is a mindset which can be expressed in innumerable ways. Our lives can be enriched daily by finding creative solutions to the simplest of challenges. The artist is fortunate to be able visually document these.”
Mona Kolacki
BS 1963 — Spanish and Biology
Mona taught Spanish and then English as a second language to adults. Now long retired, she is still working as a volunteer with immigrant adults, helping them to improve their English.
Maxine Sheets-Johnstone
MS 1954 — Dance
PhD 1963 — Philosophy and Dance
Though she is theoretically retired at 93, Maxine continues to write and has two new articles: “Being-in-Movement: Phenomenological Ontology of Being” published in Continental Philosophy Review, and “Existential Realities of Dance” published in Frontiers in Cognition, section Cognition and Movement. She also has a new book published by Brill International, The Importance of Evolution to Understandings of Human Nature.
Peggy Porter Glick
BS 1964 — Math
After many jobs in many cities, Peggy retired to Mercer Island, Washington.
Bonnie Barbakow Greenberg
BSE 1965 — Speech-Language Pathology
Bonnie plied her trade as a speech-language pathologist for 52 years in public schools, hospital clinics and as an associate professor at Northeastern University Graduate School. For 25 of those years, she was also a professional storyteller and employed those skills in treating communication disorders. In retirement, Bonnie became a medical clown, working with children in Boston hospitals. Now, she is an avid photographer specializing in children’s portraits.
Edie Rabas-Raether
BS 1966 — Occupational Therapy
Edie went from OT to becoming a psychotherapist and an international motivational keynote speaker and bestselling author with seven books. She was also a college professor and talk show host with ABC. She is inspiring awe and action on stages throughout the world and on TEDx stages. A change strategist and dopamine diva, Edie optimizes the brain to maximize performance. She is the creator of a transformational children’s program to help parents wire kids for health, happiness, and success.
Guy Ritchie
MS 1966 — Physical Education
Guy traveled with three other students from Beloit, Wisconsin, during his time at UW–Madison. After graduation Guy taught PE and coaching basketball at the schools of the Beloit Turner School District for 21 years. After that, Guy was a U.S. Army sports director as a civilian for 11 years — two at Fort Bragg and nine at Fort Knox. He has lived in Nevada for the past 27 years and reports that “I have been blessed.”
Richard Van Scotter
MA 1966 — Social Studies Education
Richard became a high school economics teacher, college professor, and author of several texts in social foundation, economics, public schooling, and American history.
Richard Elias Markos
MS 1967 — Business/Distributive Education
Richard began as instructor in vocational/technical education and became a registrar in higher education. He currently owns and operates a wholesale/retail apparel business.
Barbara Gerler Sorensen
BS 1967 — Art Education
Barbara began her career as an art teacher to high school students. After raising a family she went on to make and market her sculpture work to the public and private sector.
Terry Peterson
BS 1967 — Education and Chemistry
Terry started out as a Peace Corp teacher in Portuguese in the jungles of Brazil, followed by teaching chemistry in the first years of high school desegregation in South Carolina. He continued on to be the chief sounselor to the governor of South Carolina, and to the U.S. Secretary of Education. In the last six months, he led discussions among education and community leaders in Wisconsin, Alabama, California, and Louisiana about the evidence and funding options for effective summer and afterschool opportunities.
Claire Schroeder-Lundgren
BS 1967 — Art
After graduating, Claire worked briefly as an activity therapist at a state mental hospital in Illinois. For the next 40 years, she was an architectural designer for a large construction company in Minneapolis and is currently enjoying retirement with her husband of 54 years.
Janine Skavnak
BS 1968 — English Education
Janine started her career teaching high school English but today consults on compliance issues related to Part C and Part D Medicare private insurance plans.
Jane Kathryn (Zaccard) Elfers
BS 1969 — Spanish and English Education
Jane began her career as a high school English teacher with the Department of Defense school system in the Panama Canal Zone. She taught Spanish and English in many states, earning a master’s in curriculum and instruction — instructional design with technology. She also served as lead Spanish teacher and assessor for a University of Cincinnati pilot program in bi-lingual dual immersion that was implemented state-wide in Ohio for Head Start.
Kari Lee Hertzberg
BS 1969 — Education
Kari Lee taught French and Spanish for 33 years in Connecticut. Upon retirement, she moved to Arizona, where she worked in art-related retail settings. She became a gallery director where she worked until her retirement. She wrote an auto-fiction book (“The Whole Damn Carrousel”) and is currently working on her second book.
Cheryl Krattiger
MS 1969 — Communicative Disorders
Cheryl spent nearly 40 years supporting students in classrooms with severe developmental disabilities, such as limited language or non-verbal skills. Today she is happily retired, enjoys getting up each morning and feeling free to do whatever she wishes. Her passion is traveling in Europe and spending time at her home in France with family and friends. When stateside, she lives in the Chicago area.
Edward Olson
BS 1969 — History
Ed retired in 2020 after more than three decades teaching high school history, civics, and psychology in Danville, California. Ed currently lives with his wife, Leslee (also a UW alum) in El Dorado Hills, California.
1970s
Mari (Marion) Frank
BS 1970 — Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Education
Mari began her career as a junior high and high school teacher, received her master’s degree, then her law degree, and post-law certification in mediation. She has written five published books, hosted two radio shows for 15 years, became a law professor and college professor, has a podcast, and has become a professional speaker/trainer for professionals on negotiation, mediation, and leadership skills. After living in California for 45 years, she is now a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator.
Michael Kaplan
BSE 1970 — History
Michael planned to work in schools, but his career goals changed to working in mental health/addictions field (MS in Educational Psychology). Currently retired, Michael supports two graduate student awards at UW–Madison’s Department of History and Center for Jewish Studies. At age 76, Michael still skis on Mt. Hood and hikes in the beautiful Pacific northwest. He also is on the board of his neighborhood association.
Michele Budich
BS 1971 — Early Childhood Education
After venturing into different fields, Michele finally settled on child development and early childhood education. She spent 42 years in education teaching children, working with parents, supervising federal programs, guest lecturing, and was an instructor of undergraduate and graduate teaching training programs at several universities. She retired in 2017 and continues to take classes in writing.
John “Jack” Dezek
BS 1971 — Secondary Education and English
Jack began his career teaching high school English, then moved into public relations and then college academic administration and college teaching. Retired 10 years now, Jack is still teaching in the Educational Leadership Department of Barry University, based in Miami Shores, Florida. All of his courses are now online.
Eleanor (Ellie) Schatz
PhD 1971 — Educational Psychology
Ellie began as a teacher, then was a counseling psychologist, and today is a retired traveler.
Nancy Shores Karlebach
MS 1971 — Curriculum and Instruction
Nancy taught special needs and resource room students during her teaching career. Now retired, she is currently writing a book about her father, who was a comic book artist for Timely/Marvel.
William Marshall
BS 1960 — Physical Education
PhD 1971 — Kinesiology
William worked for the UW’s two-year branch campus system from 1961 to 1971. In that year he started a 30-year career as director of athletics at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In addition, he was the men’s squash coach for 20 years before being honored with induction into the Collegiate Squash Hall of Fame. He also served in leadership roles with the Eastern College Athletic Conference and NCAA before retiring on July 1, 2000.
Dennis Mannering
MS 1972 — Marketing Education
Dennis began his career as a high school business teacher, soon switching to marketing education. After six years, he became a CESA’s vocational education coordinator. During that time, he began his professional speaking and consulting business, which he moved to full-time 1983. In 2003, after completing his training, he became a pastor. From 2005-12, he served as pastor at a Presbyterian church. He is a father of three boys, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of four. He authored three books.
Johanna Steggert Hunsaker
BS 1972 — Education
Jo began her teaching career as a junior high school English teacher, quickly recognizing it wasn’t a good fit. Fleeing back to graduate school she obtained a PhD. She is retiring this year after 42 years as a professor of management at the University of San Diego.
David Westley
BS 1972 — Education
David has recently published articles on African folklore in Marchenspiegel (Jena) and Fabula (Berlin). He is currently under contract to finish a book, “Let the Big Drum Roll and Other African Tales,” for Princeton University Press.
Marla Brenner
BS 1973 — Art Education
Since graduating, Marla’s career has spanned art instruction in grade school, high school and college; and art direction for national publications and corporations. She is now creating paintings in oil, gouache, and watercolor. Her work may be viewed on her website marlabrenner.com
George Marx
BS 1973 — Elementary Education
George’s recent political organizing work has centered around working with the organizations Men for Equity and Reproductive Justice and Antiracism Cohorts. He welcomes interested people (particularly men) who may be curious in learning more.
Jane Albert
MS 1974 — Curriculum and Instruction
Jane taught for 32 years in the Madison Metropolitan School District, primarily in fourth and fifth grades. She retired in 2004 and mentored for 3.5 years in Madison. Jen now is now volunteering at the UW Arboretum and in the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood. She is also very fortunate to be able to see her daughter and granddaughter often, as they live in Middleton.
Robert Childers
BS 1974 — Secondary Education, Math and Physics
Bob began his career as a teacher but became a mechanical/systems engineer. He initially designed construction equipment but moved on to medical devices. He is a named inventor on 238 U.S. patents. He continued his education with a BS in mechanical engineering technology from UW—Parkside and earned aa MS in mechanical engineering from Gannon University. He is now retired and living in Florida.
Carole Dede
BA 1974 — Elementary Education
Carole retired as a GED adult basic education instructor in 2018. She taught 29 years in a teacher-tutor led classroom for low-income adults in Milwaukee and loved it.
Shirley Pliszka
BS 1974 — Elementary Education
Shirley taught for 33 years at Yorkville Elementary School. Today she lives in an assisted living facility, Dickson Hollow, in Menomonee Falls.
Tom Shipley
BA 1974 — Education
Tom — former three-time All-Big 10, MVP, and captain of the UW baseball team — is retiring after 40 years in education. Tom has been a principal and president in both public and private education in Madison, Chicago, and most recently Minneapolis. In 1974 Tom tied the all-time most hits record for a Badger baseball player with legend Harvey Kuehn. Tom was elected president of the National W Club in 2000 and was named to the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 2009
John Zola
BS 1974 — History and Secondary Education
John began teaching social studies in Wisconsin before moving to Colorado in 1979. He continued his career both in the classroom and as a curriculum writer and teacher trainer. John and his wife, Jaye, recently wrote “Teaching as if Students Matter: A Guide to Creating Classrooms Based on Relationships and Engaged Learning,” which is published by SUNY Press. He is now working as a consultant with The Discussion Project at the UW–Madison School of Education.
Susan Milaeger
BSE 1975 — English
Susan began working as a librarian with Racine Unified Schools in 1975 at Schulte Elementary School. She remained there for 11 years, then worked as an elementary librarian at Olympia Brown school for 17 years. She finish her 42 years with the Racine schools at Horlick High school, retiring in 2019. Susan continues as a substitute librarian for the Racine Public Library, where she has been a substitute for more than 30 years. Susan also enjoys teaching both land and water aerobics, for more than 30 years.
Curtis Ripley
MFA 1975 — Art
Curtis began his career teaching in various university art departments and eventually decided to work in his studio full time. He had a solo show of new paintings this year at William Turner Gallery in Santa Monica, California.
Sandra Dahl
PhD 1976 — Curriculum and Instruction
Sandra began her career as a first grade teacher in South Milwaukee. After earning a PhD, she taught reading and language arts at Purdue, the University of Minnesota, and at the University of Wisconsin River Falls and Madison campuses. She later established Kids Express Learning Center, which was rebranded as Hickory Hill Academy (for infants through eighth grade) when her son Matthew took over. She and her husband, Will, reside on the campus.
Kathleen Dischler-Noreen
MS 1976 — Curriculum and Instruction
Kathleen taught 42 years as a reading specialist, K-graduate school. She now advocates for her nursing home spouse and does volunteer work.
Marilyn Dysart
MA 1976 — Behavioral Disabilities
Marilyn began her teaching career in Centerville, Iowa, teaching students with special needs, after graduating with a double major in education and special education. She earned her master’s degree in behavioral disabilities at the UW in 1976. She retired from public school teaching after 39 years, having taught in several school districts in Wisconsin and Iowa. Marilyn currently is an adjunct instructor in the English Language Learner Department at Des Moines Area Community College.
Fred Gardaphe
BSE 1976 — English
Fred began his career as a high school teacher in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Mason City, Iowa, and Chicago before he shifted to higher education at Columbia College Chicago and Stony Brook University. He now is distinguished professor of English and Italian American studies at Queens College, CUNY.
Thomas Hunt
MA 1975 — Art Education
MFA 1976 — Art
Thomas began his career teaching at Fox Valley Technical College’s Printing Department. He then moved into industrial printing and coatings for medical and food packaging research that involved product development. He furthered his industrial career in tissue product research, developing his own engineering company designing specialty converting machines and modules. Thomas concluded his career with 14 patents before retiring.
Ann Roemer
BS 1976 — Secondary Education and Spanish
Ann started out as a high school Spanish teacher in northern Wisconsin, and then went on to get her master’s in teaching Spanish/ESL. She lived in Barcelona and Miami before moving to Utah, where she has taught at Utah State University since 1997. In 2016, she earned a PhD from the University of Utah, and in 2017-18 she was a Fulbright scholar in Tanzania.
Catherine Ruggie Saunders
MA 1975 — Art
MFA 1976 — Printmaking
Catherine has taught in the art departments of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Cameron University in Oklahoma, and UW–Madison. She is currently a tenured full professor at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, as well as a professor adjunct at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she has established a premiere letterpress studio for graduates and undergraduates. She is co-author of “For the Love of Letterpress,” published by Bloomsbury of London.
Peter Lockrem
MFA 1977 — Art
After his formal art training, Peter received an additional MS in design from Southern Illinois University, during which he studied computer graphics. Then began a 30-plus year career in Silicon Valley, culminating in a 10-year run at Apple as a software test engineer. Retiring in 2018, Peter and his wife remain in San Jose, California, with a beautiful daughter and son-in-law in nearby Dublin, California. His lifelong fascination with all things automotive continues, with a red Mustang for fun and an SUV for trips.
Holly Stoner
BS 1977 — Elementary Education
Holly began her career as an elementary school teacher, got her maters in special education and eventually became a family therapist, with a focus on children and their parents and families. She is now a licensed marriage and family therapist with a small practice in Madison, and the co-director of the Wellness Compass Initiative, which creates wellness materials for schools and other organizations to use in their communities.
Monica (Schroeder) Voorhees
BS 1977 — Fine Arts
Monica has kept active as a part-time substitute teacher in K-6 schools, and has found her experience in art, bilingual Spanish/English, and as a reading specialist to be beneficial in helping many children entering into schools in Arizona. She enjoyed the “Play Make Learn” online conference provided by UW–Madison in 2020, and the Phoenix Art Museum Educators Day in 2023, to help stay current with professional development.
Vincent Lamia
BS 1978 — Physical Education
Retired after 25 years with Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer.
Cristina Mondragon
BS 1978 — Secondary Education
Cristina has been a lawyer since September 1984.
Philip Althouse
BSE 1979 — History
Philip Althouse, an Ohio attorney, was elected to serve as the treasurer of the Inter-American Bar Association (IABA) at its annual conference in Miami on June 20, 2024. The IABA is an organization of lawyers and law students which integrates bar associations in 17 countries of the Americas, the Caribbean, Spain and France, as well as faculty at several universities, law firms, and individual attorneys. It is based in Washington, D.C.
Mary (Murphy) Cieslewicz
BS 1977 — Education
MS 1979 — Education
Mary was an educator with Whitefish Bay Schools and Cardinal Stritch University. She completed a hike of the Ice Age Trail in 2021 and became a master naturalist through the UW-Madison Division of Extension in 2023.
Ellen Garvens
BS 1979 — Art
Ellen retired in June 2023 after 29 years teaching at the University of Washington, and before that, four years at Oberlin College. She spent November 2023 at Hangar Center for Artistic Research in Lisbon, Portugal, and created an installation for 22_Del _Este in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March to June, 2024.
Rasma Haidri
BSE 1979 — English and French Education
Rasma has taught middle school French, college English, and creative writing at all levels. She’s an award-winning author of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction.
Karen Schwabe
BS 1979 — Physical Education
Karen moved to California 38 years ago and received a BS in nursing at Chico State in 2009. Karen has been a dialysis registered nurse for 14 years and will retire at the end of the year.
Robert Stevens
MS 1979 — Education Administration
Robert retired in 2022 after 40 years in higher education. He worked briefly with the U.S. Department of Education in the late 1970s, then at Miami Dade Community college as assistant dean of students for 16 years. He then worked at Nova Southeastern University Fischler College of Education in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for 23 years as a graduate advisor. He earned a second MS in 2003 and the EdD at NSU in 2015. Robert now lives in Colorado enjoying the change of seasons and the mountain grandeur.
1980s
Dianna Blicharz
BSE 1980 — Elementary Education
Dianna has served as a Title I math and literacy interventionist in the Three Lakes School District for nearly 30 years. No plans for retirement yet!
Patricia Engel
BS 1980 — Behavioral Disabilities
Initially Patricia taught early childhood exceptional education. She then returned to UW to obtain her law degree. For the last 30-some years, Patricia represented students in school law matters throughout Wisconsin. Most of the cases involved helping students with special education needs. She reports it was very rewarding work to utilize both her degrees to help students obtain the services they needed and were entitled to receive from their school district. Patricia is currently enjoying retirement.
Renee Graef
BS 1980 — Art
Renee Graef has been working as a full-time illustrator since graduating from UW-Madison. She has illustrated over 90 books for children, including the “Kirsten” books for American Girl and many of the “My First Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder for HarperCollins. Her art studio, “Storybook Hill,” is located in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
Joanie Jensen-Alley
BS 1977 — Elementary Education
MS 1980 — Reading
Joanie recently retired from an early literacy non-profit in under-resourced schools in the Chicago area. She is now serving on its board and continues to tutor.
Waraiporn Sangnapaboworn
MS 1980 — Educational Administration
Waraiporn served in Thailand’s Ministry of Education from 1981 to 2011. During that time she contributed her knowledge and experience gained from UW-Madison to leading education reform in Thailand. She currently volunteers working for peace and coexistence of Muslims and Buddhists in the deep south of Thailand.
Kathleen Paris
PhD 1981 — Educational Administration
Kathleen has been an educator throughout her life. Beginning as a high school teacher, she later served in adjunct faculty and academic staff roles at UW–Madison, providing professional development events nationally and internationally on organizational development. Her latest book, “Gentle Comforts: For Women Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Companion,” includes reflections on grief, journaling prompts, and simple, easy, healthy recipes for one person.
Gregg Pustaver
BS 1980 — Art Education
MS 1981 — Educational Psychology
Gregg began his career teaching art at Marion Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois. Following two years of teaching there, he made a big jump to teaching at Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham, N.C. While at Jordan he taught advanced placement art, photography and set design, and was always involved with the North Carolina Art Education Association. While in North Carolina, Gregg was also awarded with periods studying at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Study was in twin studies and photography
Diana Badur
PhD 1982 — Curriculum and Instruction
Diana began her career as an assistant professor in Puerto Rico and taught for 25-plus years in various universities and community colleges in Texas, Turkey, and Illinois. Today, she is enjoying her retirement from Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois.
Richard Amundson
MS 1998 — Educational Administration
Richard retired in 2017 after 18 years as a middle school principal.
Chris Borreca
MS 1983 — Behavioral Disabilities
Chris currently practices law at Thompson & Horton, LLP, a firm he started in 2009 along with nine other partners. The firm grew to 45 attorneys, and they represent all types of educational institutions within Texas. Previously, he was a teacher in Wisconsin and an administrator for a non-profit program serving students with severe disabilities. He recently decided to spend his summers in northern Wisconsin (Vilas County) and hopes his friends will pay him a visit!
Cynthia Brun
MS 1983 — Continuing Adult and Vocational Education
Retired from UW–Oshkosh in January 2024.
Paula Dail
PhD 1983 — Continuing Adult and Vocational Education
Writing as Avery Michael to differentiate her fiction from non-fiction, Paula’s third novel will be released in fall 2024. Inspired by real life, “My Mother’s Secret” is a deep dive into the profound emotional costs of keeping family origins hidden during a time when antisemitism and anti-German sentiment were rampant in early 20th century America. “Outrage” is being released this summer and Michael’s next novel, “Conflicted,” is forthcoming. All are published by Manhattan Book Group.
Shigeru Narita
MA 1979 — Behavioral Disabilities
PhD 1983 — Behavioral Disabilities and Special Education
Shigeru is a representative of UW alumni in Japan.
Cindy Nelson (Chapman)
BSE 1983 — Elementary Education
Cindy began her career as an elementary school teacher and moved up to middle school. Today she is a land banker.
Roy Swift
PhD 1983 — Continuing Adult and Vocational Education
My degree was instrumental in achieving my highest position in the Army Medical Department as Chief, Army Medical Specialist Corps (PT,OT, Dietetics, PAs). Currently still working as Executive Director of Workcred an affiliate of The American National Standards Institute that focuses on building a quality workforce with quality credentials.
Terry Austin
PhD 1984 — Curriculum and Instruction, and Music
Terry retired as chair of the Department of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2022. Terry was designated as an emeritus professor of music education, and as a VCU Distinguished Career Professor.
Nancy Boberschmidt Lynch
BS 1984 — Elementary Education
Nancy was a second grade teacher in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for 18 years following graduation. For the past 12 years, she has been an elementary school librarian.
Elizabeth Burmaster
BM 1976 — Music Education
MS 1984 — Educational Administration
Libby began her 45-year career in public education as a music and theater teacher. She served as district fine arts coordinator, and as Hawthorne Elementary and West High School principal in Madison. Libby then was elected Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2001 and again in 2005. She then spent 12 years serving as a community college president in Wisconsin and Maryland. Libby is now retired.
Barbara Gruener
BS 1984 — English
Barbara is retiring from the schoolhouse and moving into consulting and coaching. Her second picture book, “Birdie & Mipps,” released in May 2024. She’s scheduling author visits and looking forward to this next chapter in her life’s story with gratitude to her Badger family for an amazing start. Visit her online at barbaragruenerauthor.com.
Cheryl Koss Mocadlo
BSE 1985 — Secondary Education, Chemistry
Cheryl spent her 31-year career in research and development, and intellectual property management, earning 10 U.S. utility patents. Today, she is semi-retired in her encore career as a Door County artist. Her paintings can be found in Plum Bottom Galleries, on-line websites and various art shows in Wisconsin.
Jerry Napp
BS 1985 — Exercise Physiology
Jerry is currently teaching stand-up paddleboarding in Weeki Wachee, Florida, with his life partner. Two days a week, Jerry works with variety of clients as a conditioning coach at Bank On Fitness. He notes that, “Gratefully recovering from a significant stroke suffered in 2022. On Wisconsin!”
Sharon Robinson
BS 1985 — Community Health
Sharon began certified diabetes care and education specialist work in 1998. She has also worked in school health for two years. Sharon still teaches diabetes education to clients.
Alan Crist
PhD 1986 — Educational Administration
Alan Crist joined AGB Search in 2015 after 40 years in higher education administration roles. He was recently promoted to senior executive search consultant. Alan is also director of ExeComp, AGB Search’s executive compensation analysis service providing support to governing boards as they seek to establish compensation packages to recruit and retain executive leadership.
Eric Farness
BS 1986 — History
After retiring in 2023, Eric and his wife sold their home, donated most of their belongings, loaded their car with some clothes and their fat dog, and they hit the road. For the next few years they will travel the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and abroad. Eric reports: “Travel is the fruit for the soul. And adds: “To quote Susan Sontag ‘I haven’t been everywhere, but it is on my list.’ ”
Leon Poeske
BS 1986 — Secondary Education, Math
Leon retired in 2023 after spending 36 years in public education. He spent his last 18 years as the executive director at Bucks County (Pennsylvania) Technical High School. Before moving into administration, Leon worked as a secondary school teacher for 11 years, including teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. Leon received his MA and EdD from Temple University in Philadelphia. In retirement, Leon continues to teach at Temple while consulting with various Pennsylvania schools.
Brian Raffel
BS 1986 — Art Education
Brian began his career as an art educator at Middleton High School. Today, he is the co-founder and studio head of Raven Software, a video game company that was established in 1990 and is now a part of the Activision/Microsoft family. Brian is currently involved in developing titles such as “Call of Duty Warzone” and “Call of Duty — Black Ops 6.”
Felix Savino
PhD 1987 — Counseling Psychology
Felix began his work career selling handbags in south Philadelphia on 9th Street in the previous century — and more recently has worked as a psychologist and training director at UW-Madison in mental health services.
Jeff Addison
MS 1988 — Educational Administration
As a curriculum coordinator, elementary principal and assistant senior high principal at the D.C. Everest School District in Schofield, Wisconsin, Jeff says he “appreciated the excellent work of my teachers at the UW-Madison.” Jeff’s undergrad degree in music education at UW-Platteville also allowed him to teach in American schools in Norway and Scotland. Since his retirement in 2014, Jeff has been playing bass in two cover bands (Addison Hill and SunDance) and loving life with his wonderful wife, kids, and grandchildren.
Ellen Epping
BS 1988 — Physical Education
Ellen will be retiring at the end of the 2024 academic year after serving for 23 years as the director of the Athletic Training program at the University of Central Arkansas.
Michelle Belnavis
BSE 1984 — Elementary Education
MS 1989 — Curriculum and Instruction
Read Your Heart Out, an idea sparked by Michelle, celebrated its 20th anniversary in February 2024. Michelle was a longtime educator in the Madison Metropolitan School District and Read Your Heart Out’s (RYHO) humble beginnings started at Midvale Elementary School before expanding district-wide. Every year at RYHO,, family members, community members, and volunteers read books, recite poetry or connect with students through visual or oral storytelling in the classroom during the month of February.
Jennifer Karpelenia
BS 1988 — Education
Jenny retired after teaching middle school science for more than 34 years. She also has written 20 science books for Perfection Learning.
Yvonne King
PhD 1988 — Continuing Adult and Vocational Education
In 2021, Yvonne retired from academia after teaching at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State, Nigeria, and finally serving in administration at the Community College of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. In 2023, Yvonne co-authored a self-published book titled, “The Ultimate Challenge: Study Law in a Black Developing Institution.” The book tells the story of a Black law school that operated in Chicago from 1975-86.
Carl Clingman
BS 1989 — Art
Carl began his career creating anatomical charts in Chicago. He then spent 12 years honing his professional skills in the operating rooms of the Texas Medical Center. Now, he’s a senior medical illustrator at Mayo Clinic and was recently recognized for 20 years of service.
Elizabeth Graser-Thurlow
BS, BA 1989 — Elementary Education and French
Elizabeth is a French immersion teacher at Normandale Elementary School in Edina, Minnesota. She was one of the original teachers who helped start the school. Elizabeth left in 2000 to be a stay-at-home-mom and recently got her same job back as a first grade French immersion teacher in 2021. She is on the district wellness team, district social studies team, and hosts many student teachers in her classroom.
Nancy E. Hartog
BS 1989 — Occupational Therapy
Long retired from a variety of pursuits, paid and unpaid — much working with children and elderly, with a long-time interest in movement and mind body awareness, Nancy enjoys staying in touch with family and friends, exercise classes, concerts and plays, radio, light gardening, and trying to make the most of these later years. It is quite a transition from taking care of pothers, patients, children, and parents to going for PT, etc. She lives with her husband in Princeton, N.J.
Cynthia Lehew-Nehrbass
BS 1989 — Dance Performance and Choreography
Cynthia’s dance career includes working as a professional dancer, teacher, award-winning ballroom competitor, and owner/artistic director of a dance studio. Recently, she received an MFA in creative writing, and is a now a published author of essays and poetry.
Sage Lewis
BS 1989 — Art
Sage began her career as a freelance graphic designer in Madison in the late 1980s and early 1990s, then moved on to become a K-12 art instructor in Wisconsin and Minnesota after earning her art education certification in 1994. She played in the OD TAPO IMI Steel Drum Band, has authored numerous books, started Dancing Porcupine in 2002, where she worked with animals and people in a variety of ways, and most recently started Tie Dye Dragonfly — Ceremonial Cacao & Stone Ground Dark Chocolate.
Lisa Merlin
BS 1989 — Elementary Education
Lisa’s first teaching position was in Comayagua, Honduras. Following her time in Honduras she moved to Seattle, Washington, where she continues to teach second grade and convert her students to Badgers and Packers fans. Lisa is hoping to work a few more years before retiring and travelling the world.
1990s
Sherry Hlavachek
MS 1990 — Educational Psychology
Sherry is enjoying retirement.
Suzy Favor
BS 1991 — Art
Suzy is a mosaic tile artist working in California
Jeffrey Krug
BA 1991 — Physical Therapy
Jeff has practiced as a PT in rehabilitation, home health, pediatric and school-based settings. He also was a professor in the University of Missouri’s PT program for 19 years, where he taught mostly neurological-based courses and oversaw student service activities, including development of a pro bono, community-based PT clinic staffed by MU students and professors that averaged about 1,000 free visits per semester.
Thomas Parker
BS 1991 — Education
Thomas has been a high school Spanish teacher for 33 years.
Carol Pritzlaff Voss
BS 1991 — Occupational Therapy
Carol was named associate dean of the Manufacturing, Construction and Transportation Academic Pathway at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Susan Telke
BS 1991 — Art
While at UW–Madison, Susan was interested in the intersections between mathematics and art. Now many years later, she works as a biostatistician on the BLOODSAFE initiative (https://bloodsafe-research.org). Susan continues to ponder the connections between the sciences and art. She explores the strengths and limitations of applied statistics through the artist’s lens with paintings and writing.
Mara Gollin-Garrett
BS 1993 — Elementary Education
Mara began her career as a learning resource teacher in second and third grades. She also taught health to kindergarten, first, and second graders. She then taught second grade and fifth grades before moving on to the legal world. There she was a legal assistant, case assistant, and paralegal in estate planning and then family law for 18 years before retiring in 2022.
Mark Mueller
BS 1993 — Secondary Education
Mark has shown the adaptability of an education degree by moving from nearly 30 years in public education to being the training manager for the Tropicana Plant in Bradenton, Florida. He has built on his experiences to deliver high-quality adult learning practices in a manufacturing environment. When asked why he left education, he said, “I really didn’t. My kids are just a bit older now!”
Wendy Olsen-Concklin
BS 1993 — Elementary Education and Psychology
Wendy began her career as a sixth-grade science teacher in Illinois. After nine years of teaching middle school science, she transitioned to teaching middle school health, wellness, and fitness. The program that she started at Northbrook Junior High has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon Health Program twice by the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD), and Wendy was named the Health Educator of the Year by the Illinois School Health Association in 2024.
Michelle Schreier
BA 1993 — Elementary Education
Michelle taught in the Middleton Cross Plains school district for 30 years, retiring the previous June to help care for her aging mother. She taught seventh and eighth grade social studies. She has been doing real estate for four years and it’s keeping her busy. She has two daughters who both live in Colorado and a stepson who lives with his girlfriend and baby in Wisconsin. Michelle and her husband are currently living in Middleton.
Carrie Vander Veen
1993 MFA — Painting
Carrie has been the director/curator of the Finlandia Art Gallery since 2002. As part of Finlandia Foundation National, the gallery specializes in exhibitions of contemporary Finnish and Finnish American art. In 2024, Carrie exhibited her own paintings in a two-person exhibit at DeVos Art Museum in Marquette, Michigan. Her work will be featured at Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan, in September, 2024. Find her work at https://cbvvart.com/ or on instagram at carrieflaspohlervanderveen
Matt Tiller
BS 1994 — Secondary Earth Science Education
Matt is a science teacher at Verona Area High School and this spring he was named 2023 School Forest Educator of the Year by LEAF and the Wisconsin School Forest Program. This award recognizes Matt’s 29 years of dedication to outdoor education and contribution to furthering the Verona Area School District’s School Forest program.
Valerie Edwards
BS 1995 — Elementary Education
Val has enjoyed various roles in school librarianship both at the Monona Grove School District and in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Currently, she is looking forward to the release of “Prepared Libraries, Empowered Teams,” which she co-authored and published via ALA Editions.
Mark Hayward
BFA 1995 — Art
Mark is now in his 28th year as a full-time professional juggler and comedy yo-yo man. He’s looking forward to finally having a normal post-pandemic performing season this summer. Mark’s art degree has served him well, both with prop-making for shows, but also in his other role as a part-time sculptor. He will once again be exhibiting his kinetic sculptures and hand-cranked wooden machines at Automatacon at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey.
Deb Slavik
MS 1995 — Counseling Psychology
Deb works in telehealth as a psychotherapist for military members and their families.
Carol Kolb
BS 1996 — English and Education
Carol started writing comedy at The Onion, where she eventually served as editor-in-chief and co-creator of the Onion News Network. She now writes for TV and her credits include “Review,” “Community,” and “Brooklyn 99.”
Virginia Rose
MS 1996 — Curriculum and Instruction
Virginia is a multitalented writer of magazine feature articles, a published book, and, most recently, a national semifinalist songwriter. She is a vocalist and guitarist with the band Essensual BeatZ and continues her musical legacy that began in 1972. Her past successes drive her future explorations.
Eva Sandor
MFA 1996 — Printmaking
Earlier this summer, Eva delivered a presentation at the 2024 American Library Association Conference in San Diego titled, “Small-Scale Fantasy with Eva Sandor.” Eva is an illustrator-turned-author, whose four novels are part of a growing trend toward literature with a less-than-epic narrative scope.
Jason Sinz
BS 1996 — Secondary Education, English
After 20 years as a high school English teacher in St. Croix Falls (11) and at Wausau West (nine), Jason moved into administration at Wausau East. He is currently finishing his eighth year as associate principal for student services. His role also includes working with scheduling and programming.
Kevin Boatright
MS 1997 — Higher Education Administration
Now retired from the University of Kansas, Kevin is a member and secretary of the Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors, and chair of its Academic Affairs Committee.
Eric Jessup-Anger
BS 1997 — Educational Policy Studies
Eric serves his community as president of the Wauwatosa School Board and continues to work in student affairs at UW–Milwaukee.
Aaron Sadoff
BSE 1997 — History and Social Studies Education
Aaron began his career as a high school history and psychology teacher. He served in K-12 education for 25 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. For the past two years Aaron has held the position of executive director at the Fond du Lac Area Foundation. He started a new journey on June 1, 2024, as the 18th president of Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Teresa Faris
MFA 1998 — Art Metals
Teresa’s artwork is currently being shown at the Museum of Art and Design as part of the “Out of the Jewelry Box” exhibition. Also on exhibition at the Patina Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as part of the “Red: Ignite the Fire” exhibition organized by Charon Kransen Arts, New York. Teresa recently received the University Research Award at UW-Whitewater, where she is professor of art.
Jason Gohlke
BS 1998 — Art, Graphic Design
After graduating, Jason spent nearly two decades at non-profits in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2020, he has been back in Madison serving as a marketing and communications strategist in UW–Madison’s Office of Strategic Communication.
Beth Ellen Nash
BS 1998 — Elementary Education
Beth rocked the UC Irvine TEDx stage on May 13 with her “Personalized Approach to Learning that Embraces the Flipside Strengths of Dyslexia” talk, which draws on her “Dyslexia Outside-the-Box” book and encapsulates the approach used by Wings to Soar Online Academy, the school she founded in 2011.
Steve Rankin
BS 1998 — Occupational Therapy
Steve celebrated his retirement from UW Hospital by riding his bike from Seattle to Boston, enduring COVID-19 on the way. To ensure he doesn’t return to work, he is currently traversing the Pyrenees by bike.
Nicole Harklerode (Riebau)
BS 1999 — Occupational Therapy
Nikki is currently working at a critical access hospital and outpatient clinic on the Oregon coast. She specializes in lymphedema at the outpatient clinic and also practices general OT in the acute care setting.
Mike Mohammad
BS 1999 — Secondary Education, Science
After 20 years teaching high school biology, chemistry, and physics in the Elmbrook School district, Mike is now a teaching and learning specialist with the district. Mike aids teachers with implementing learning strategies and is also the district lead with the Canvas Learning Management System. He also was a guest on George Couros’ Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: https://youtu.be/cWDIL3xCGCU?si=YATY3XTO8lOPv6qw
Kirsten Patches
BS 1999 — Art
Kirsten started punk band Naked Aggression in 1990, inspired by a performance art class with Laurie Beth Clark. Her band is featured in The Decline of Western Civilization 3 by Penelope Spheeris. This Spring, Naked Aggression performed at historic Cow Palace in San Francisco @punkinthepark festival. Kirsten has had a career in teaching special education for the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2000. After completing a master’s degree in 2007 she has been teaching at East Los Angeles Performing Arts High School.
Nahathai Thewphaingarm
PhD 1999 — Education Administration
Nahathai was appointed vice minister for the Prime Minister Office in Thailand. She is working on the team of Thailand’s deputy prime minister and minister of commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai.
2000s
Pedro Albiter
BS 2000 — Secondary Education
Pedro began his career as a bilingual employment and training specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Today, he is the regulatory specialist for the DWD’s Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers/H-2A visa program with the State of Wisconsin.
Marlon Banks
MFA 2000 — Art
Marlon, an Army veteran, began his career at the Milwaukee Journal as a layout artist, then later began and completed a full career as a cross categorical teacher for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Today, he is the author of “The Permanent Light Of Black,” a book where he defines his own style of creating art as “Forward and Black.”
Amanda DeSua
BS 2000 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Amanda is a first-generation college graduate, school counselor, adjunct instructor, and published author. Her passion to help young children self-regulate and deal with big emotions led her to write two children’s books. “Frog Slime: A Child’s Guide to Calming Down” and “Panda’s Pause” are written to help children name their feelings, use healthy coping skills, and engage in peaceful and mindful practices.
Alyson Eith
BSE 1998 — Curriculum and Instruction
MS 2000 — Communication Sciences and Disorders
Alyson received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from UW-Madison in speech-language pathology. She worked in the Madison Metropolitan School District as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for the early part of her career. Alyson supervised many UW–Madison graduate SLP student clinicians while in the school setting. Her desire to give back paired with the love of her alma mater brought her back to UW–Madison, where she is currently a clinical professor in the Department of Communication Sciences Disorders.
Yoshiko Nozaki
PhD 2000 — Educational Policy Studies
Yoshiko teaches at Gakushuin University, Tokyo. Her latest article has been published in 2024. It is titled, “ ‘ Dear Asian Friends, we want to Build Peace’: Rightwing Nationalism, Internationalism, and Honda Koei’s History Teaching about the Asia-Pacific War, 1965-1973.” Her paper appears in the book, “The Routledge Handbook of Nationalism in East and Southeast Asia.”
Jill Peterson
BS 1999 — Rehabilitation Psychology
MS 2000 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Jill began her career as a vocational evaluator in the San Francisco Bay Area for a non-profit agency in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation program. She is now a Vocational Consultant/Partner in a women-owned business providing forensic expertise in litigation matters, long-term disability/work simulation assessments, as well as Life Care Planning services in the San Francisco East Bay area.
Kara Willis
MS 2000 — Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kara began her career as a school-based speech/language pathologist in Wisconsin. She continues to work as a speech/language pathologist in schools in the greater Cincinnati area with the Hamilton County Educational Service Center. Through moving many times and working in teletherapy, she has provided speech services in schools in seven different states.
Ruth Avra Duff (formerly Kleinman)
BS 2001 — Art
Ruth is a full-time collaborative artist working with her sister to create contemporary sculpture. Employing a blend of repurposed and salvaged industrial materials with more traditional artistic mediums such as paint on canvas, KX2’s (www.KX2art.com) work yields a distinctive visual encounter. Notable recent shows include an installation at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, The Coral Springs Museum of Art, and an upcoming solo exhibition at the Rosemary Larsen Duffy Gallery.
Rose Margaret Deniz
BS 2001 — Art
Rose is the head of global content for Wellbees, a Turkish wellbeing startup based in the U.S., an artist, and a translator (Turkish to English). Her young-adult novel, “The Evolution of You and Me,” won the 2016 Undiscovered Voices contest in the United Kingdom. After earning an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art (2004), Rose moved from the Midwest to Turkey. She splits her time between Wisconsin and a Turkish village.
Michael Ernst
BS 2002 — Art
Michael moved to San Francisco after graduation and was the founding designer of Yelp and has pursued a career in tech. Currently he is senior lead designer at Terraformation, a climate startup.
Deborah Fields
MA 2002 — Curriculum and Instruction
Deborah earned her PhD at UCLA in 2010. Today she is an associate research professor at Utah State University, working on issues of equity and learning in STEM, maker education, and digital media sites.
Erin McGrath
BS 2002 — Elementary Education
Erin earned her reading teacher license and is starting a position as a reading interventionist in an elementary school in Madison.
Mark Strohschein
MS 2002 — Continuing and Vocational Education
Mark spent 32 years as a secondary schools agriscience/natural resources instructor and Futer Farmers of America advisor in the Green Bay Area Public School District, from 1986-18. In retirement, he is volunteering his time with the Ashwaubenon Lions Club, Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery Association, Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wisconsin FFA/FFA Alumni Organizations, Home Farmstead projects and supervising secondary schools student teachers for University Agricultural Education Departments.
Darylann Whitemarsh
PhD 2002 — Adult and Continuing Education
Darylann finished her PhD at Madison under the direction of Dr. Alan Knox. She is now a full professor teaching in the Doctorial Department at National University.
Bryce Wilder
BS 2002 — Art
Bryce began his career as a prepress designer in the offset printing industry.Today, he serves as the operations manager for a metal screen printing company.
Jennifer Beetem
BS 2003 — Art
Jennifer began her career as an English language teacher and web designer. While pursuing an MA in art history (University of Washington in Seattle in 2017), the climate emergency spurred Jennifer to pivot to art conservation. After many years of pre-program internships and technician roles in museums, private practice studios, archaeological sites in Mongolia, and a historic home and artist studio in Seattle, she was accepted this year to the Winterthur/University of Delaware program in art conservation.
Cassie Carbon-Ellington
BSE 2001 — Communicative Disorders
MS 2003 — Communicative Disorders
Cassie worked for 17 years with Milwaukee Public Schools as a school-based speech/language pathologist. Continued at Green Bay Public Schools for two years and is now employed with Pulaski Community School District. She lives in Oconto, Wisconsin, with her husband and six children.
Stephen Dinkel
MS 2003 — Education Administration
After a professional career of 35 years in a variety of roles in education Steve and his wife are happily retired and enjoying traveling the country and world.
Kimberley Lakes
PhD 2003 — Counseling Psychology
A professor of clinical psychiatry and neuroscience at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, Kimberly was named recipient of a 2023 Fulbright Global Scholar Award. The award will allow her to do research in Ireland and South Africa over a three-year period. Her work focuses on child and adolescent neurodevelopment and mental health in underserved communities.
Jacqueline Philpott
MS 1993 — Special Education
PhD 2003 — Across Disciplines
Since 1996, Jacqueline has been the administrator of Catalyst Home Health, a pediatric agency in Madison. In 2022, Catalyst received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to produce educational videos for families and caregivers who care for children with significant disabilities in their family homes. These videos will be available via Vimeo in late summer 2024. For access to them, email CatalystHomeHealth@sonic.net
Jerald Pellowski
BS 2004 — Art
An artist and toy maker, Jerald relaunched his online toy shop JustPlainOffal.com.
Marie Preston
BS 2004 — Art
After beginning at UW–Madison as an engineering student, Marie pivoted to an art degree and designed kitchens, gardens, logos and more. Today, she creates illustrations and soon begins an MFA program at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, where she plans to use cartoons and graphic novels as a method for communicating science.
Emmett Durtschi
PhD 2005 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Since graduating, Emmett has worked in various leadership roles in Wisconsin public school districts, including as an elementary principal in Madison, director of student services in Verona, and now as superintendent in the Berlin Area School District.
Mark Esch
BS 2006 — Elementary Education
Mark began as a one-year maternity leave teacher, then was hired at a local district. He has been teaching third grade for 16 years, but recently accepted a new position as the district elementary math coach. He reports, “I’m very excited and energized for this new role!”
Michael Gonzalez
MS 2006 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Mike began his career as an administrator at Fond du Lac (Wisconsin) High School, serving as an assistant principal from 2007-13. He was the principal of Olson Middle School in Mauston, Wisconsin, from 2013-16. Since then, Mike has been principal of Bessie Allen Middle School in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he also was English language director and summer school coordinator. Mike received the Kohl’s Principal Leadership Award in 2022.
David Green
BS 2006 — Dance
After three years of traveling and exploring many countries overseas, David rediscovered his gifts and talents in producing creative songs. Now he’s a member of a dynamic music group named Stones Speak that’s releasing its highly anticipated single “The River Song.” Listen here — www.StonesSpeak.org
Jeff Silber
MS 2006 — Special Education
As a returning adult student, earning an MS enabled Jeff to change careers and become an applied behavior analysis therapist for kids with autism. Today, Jeff has his own practice that provides mediation and advocacy to families touched by autism. For Jeff, launching Autism Mediation, LLC, was a dream transformed into reality due to UW’s outstanding program.
Dan Uttech
BSE 2006 — Elementary Education
Dan is currently a coach developer for the USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District and is coaching youth hockey in Phoenix, Arizona.
Hajira Buser
MS 2007 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Hajira embarked on her professional journey by establishing an early childhood bilingual program. Transitioning gracefully, she pursued ballet professionally, while honoring her grandfather through dedicated warbird restoration. She remains devoted to volunteering, especially to support organic gardening initiatives. She now serves as an esteemed international education consultant and resides in Dubai.
Perry LaRoque
BS 2000 — Special Education
PhD 2007 — Special Education
Perry is the founder and president of Mansfield Hall, which this past fall launched a study abroad program for college students with autism in partnership with the University of Reading. This is the first study abroad program specifically for students with autism and there are plans to expand the program in 2025. www.mansfieldhall.org
Jim Lenz
MS 2007 — Kinesiology
Jim reports that the summer of 2024 will be a very exciting time. As the director of events and logistics for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympics Committee, he has the amazing opportunity to service athletes as they compete on one of the world’s largest sports staged. Years of behind-the-scenes planning will assist Team USA with air travel, ground transportation, shipping, meals, and extensive hospitality programs.
Christopher Phillips
PhD 2007 — Counseling Psychology
Christopher has been named chief psychologist for Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) in Germany. He provides technical expertise, guidance and clinical services in the area of operational psychology (operational support, human performance enhancement), SERE psychology (survival and recovery from hostage/POW experiences), and clinical treatment to special operations forces and SOCEUR headquarters personnel.
Kubilay Gok
PhD 2008 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Kubilay has had publications in the International Journal of Human Resources Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of International Business Studies, Human Relations, and Organizational Behavior (2022), and many others. Kubilay is a tenured full professor in the College of Business at Winona State University. He completed his first term as the chair on June 30, 2024, and was elected for a second term until June 30, 2027. Kubilay adds, “I am so thankful for all the support and opportunities provided.”
Sarah McGee
MA 2008 — Special Education
After graduating, Sarah taught high school special education in Madison. She is currently a program support teacher with with the Madison Metropolitan School District, with a focus on IDEA compliance and technology.
Julia Taylor
MFA 2008 — Art
Julia began her teaching career as a high school art educator at a local independent school, Madison Country Day School, in 2011. Today, she is an Art Department chair and an international baccalaureate middle years program and diploma program teacher. In addition to teaching, Julia continues to develop her art portfolio and exhibits nationally and internationally.
Mary Matteson Hardin
BS 2009 — Secondary English Education
Mary worked as a high school English teacher in the Madison area for 13 years before transitioning to the role of new teacher instructional mentor for the Verona Area School District.
2010s
Katy Swalwell
PhD 2011 — Curriculum and Instruction
Katy co-founded a children’s book company called Past Present Future Publishing (www.ppf-publishing.com). Its first two books were released this spring: “From Here & Queer: A Love Letter to LGBTQIA+ Youth” and “(Re)Present: Racism & Resistance in Iowa.” Katy says “the mission is to uplift stories from the margins in Iowa with all our profits going toward youth justice movements in the state.” Katy’s recent book, “Fix Injustice, Not Kids,” with Paul Gorski also just won NAME’s Philip K. Chinn Award.
Bailey Kaeplel
BA 2012 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Bailey began her career as an activity director for adults with mental illness. Today, she works as a special education teacher for Chicago Public Schools.
Andrew Katz
PhD 2012 — Counseling Psychology
On June 1, 2024, Andrew departed his six-year role as a psychology internship training director, in order to open his own private practice in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Monty Marsh
MS 2012 — Curriculum and Instruction
Monty began his career in the early learning and care field over 20 years ago. He has worked with children ages 0 through 12 in a variety of roles. Monty has previously worked for the Department of Children and Families as a policy analyst and regional licensing manager. He currently works for the City of Madison as the early care and education manager, managing the city’s Child Care Accreditation, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, and Tuition Assistance programs.
Jacob Ziehr
BA 2012 — Secondary Social Studies Education
MS 2017 — Educational Psychology
Jake began teaching social studies at Belleville (Wisconsin) High School in the fall of 2012, where he enjoyed teaching U.S. history, advanced placement psychology, and other elective courses. After 10 years, he took on a new role at Oregon (Wisconsin) High School, where he currently teaches advanced placement psychology. In 2020, he became a National Board Certified teacher. Jake also coaches soccer and advises the Model U.N. Club.
Katy Chapman
MS 2013 — Curriculum and Instruction
In July 2023, Katy accepted an assistant professor of early childhood studies position at the University of Florida.
Matthew Piepenbrok
MFA 2013 — Glass Art
Matthew is living and working in Mumbai, India, training and exhibiting. He took up a project to educate and push forward the studio glass movement among the small community of glass artists that live and work in India. Matthew has been developing the Indian studio glass movement in conjunction with Rural Glass Studio, Arjun Rathi design, and Golden glass studio. Matthew is taking the concepts of the American glass studio movement established by Harvey Littleton to develop a rich glass movement inspired by India and its culture.
Blake Bishop
MS 2014 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
After spending seven-plus years as an academic success coach and team lead for UW Extended Campus, Blake has returned to UW–Madison to serve as the assistant director at the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management, located within the Wisconsin School of Business. Blake is thrilled to be back on campus and is loving his time with the supply chain management students.
Grace Bellinger
BS 2014 — Kinesiology
MS 2016 — Kinesiology
Grace started as a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She was awarded a competitive two-year fellowship from the American Heart Association to study how the structure of physical therapy delivery during the acute hospitalization impacts stroke recovery.
Alissa Blair
PhD 2014 — Curriculum and Instruction
Alissa is an assistant professor of teaching English to speakers of other languages at the University of Arkansas.
Hannah Green
BS 2104 — Art
After graduation, Hannah relocated to Chicago to pursue advertising. Within six months, she transitioned to the rapidly growing field of experience design, garnering nearly a decade of agency experience. She excelled as a UX/UI designer, product designer, and associate creative director. Presently, she heads an experience design practice for Mars Global Services, enhancing experiences for 75,000+ Mars Inc. associates globally. Her latest transformation product is scheduled to launch this year.
Lindsey Kaiser
MS 2014 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
After graduating, Lindsey went on to become an instructional coach and elementary school administrator. In spring 2024, she graduated from the University of Washington’s College of Education with a PhD in educational policy, organizations, and leadership. Starting in the Fall of 2024, she will be an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Maine.
Surbhi Madia Barber
PhD 2014 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Surbhi’s career in education involved teaching in both classical and traditional schools. She taught middle school and elementary education for eight years in Wisconsin and spent her summers teaching abroad in Shanghai, Madrid, and Mumbai. Today, she is the director of special services at Agamim Classical Academy in Edina, Minnesota. She also serves on the board of directors at the school her three children attend, Parnassus Preparatory School, in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Laura Hill
BS 2015 — Art
Laura’s interests in combining art and science led her to a career as a 3D technical artist within big tech and independent gaming. Laura founded her own AI startup in 2022, after the birth of her first child, and today she is working for Meta Reality Labs as a senior technical artist specializing in synthetic data generation and digital human pipelines.
Mara Martin
BS 2015 — Kinesiology
After graduation, Mara began working as a personal trainer in a commercial gym, where she met her now-husband. In 2021, the couple opened their own gym in Marshall, Wisconsin. Mara says their passion lies in strength training and powerlifting, as they firmly belief strength is the foundation of any goal.
Stacey Mejac
BSE 2010 — Spanish Education
MS 2015 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Stacey began her career as a Spanish teacher and is now a principal in Milwaukee.
Adam Phillippi
MS 2015 — Kinesiology
Adam began his career as a strength and conditioning coach with schools like Notre Dame and University of Texas. He now is a manager for Exact Science’s Pipeline Market Development Team in Madison.
Sara Cutler
BSE 1997 — Elementary Education
PhD 2106 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Sara began her career in California as a bilingual teacher. In 2003, she returned to Wisconsin where she served as an elementary classroom teacher, curriculum/professional developer, instructional coach, and a school-wide facilitator, followed by the school principalship. Today, she is the executive director of Wisconsin Virtual Academies, the state’s largest public-school option for virtual schooling.
Gwendolyn Hogan
MS 2016 — Curriculum and Instruction
Gwendolyn has been in the classroom since 2016. She started at the high school level in Verona, Wisconsin, where she worked until 2020 as the newspaper instructor, creative writing teacher, and general English language arts instructor. She moved with her family to Minnesota in 2020 and she now works as a middle school English Language Arts teacher at Edgewood Middle School in Mounds View, Minnesota.
Aly Netz
BA 2016 — Elementary Education
Aly taught elementary school (third and fifth grade and reading/math intervention) in Aurora, Colorado, for six years. She then opened a small business, Little Peak Learners, along with a speech-pathologist acquaintance to promote speech, literacy, and play among 1- to 5-year-olds in Denver, Colorado. Their communication classes include small and gross motor skills, sensory play, ASL and Spanish, as well as creating community amongst the Denver community. Aly is excited to see how Little Peak Learners will grow!
Jess Schmitz
MS 2016 — Kinesiology
Jess currently works as a certified athletic trainer for Aspirus Divine Savior in Portage, Wisconsin. She works for Portage High School and four other schools. She visits student-athletes during the school day and covers all home sporting events. She loves her job and loves being a part of a tight-knit community. In her spare time, Jess helps out with her spouse’s local mattress and furniture business.
Charlotte Baptie
BS 2107 — Dance
Charlotte began her career as a dancer and went on to dance professionally in both New York City and throughout the country through performances, choreographing, and judging competitions. She then went onto grad school and obtained a doctorate in occupational therapy — and now is a licensed therapist working in an outpatient clinic specializing in hand therapy and lymphedema services. She continues to incorporate dance and the arts into her life, setting choreography around the nation and coaching.
Natalie Arriaga de Brooks
MS 2019 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Since graduating, Natalie worked as an academic advisor from 2020-22 in the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB). In January of 2022, she became the Student Life Manager for Engagement, working as a manager and supplemental advisor to 52 student organizations, as well as the program manager for the residence life learning community, Business Connect. Natalie now serves as the assistant director in the WSB Multicultural Center — driving innovation and transformative change to uplift student experiences.
Yun-Wen Chan
PhD 2019 — Curriculum and Instruction
Yun-Wen is an assistant professor at Texas State University.
Brittany Ota-Malloy
PhD 2019 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Brittany continues to manage the City of Seattle’s postsecondary investments through her work at the Department of Education & Early Learning. Today, her portfolio includes approximately $10 million spent annually to support college preparation, access, persistence, and completion.
Olivia Rotelle
BS 2019 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Olivia is an occupational therapist at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. She was recently published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy for her doctoral capstone project: “Let’s Talk About Ethics: Addressing Ethical Tensions and Building Moral Resilience in the Occupational Therapy Profession.”
Dan Schreier
BS 2008 — Secondary Education, Mathematics
MS 2019 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Dan has served as an educator at Waukesha South High School since the 2009-10 school year. For 12 years, Dan taught in the mathematics department, where he taught algebra, geometry, algebra 2, AP calculus AB and BC. He also taught in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. Dan also coached the varsity tennis programs while teaching. In 2021, following graduation from the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis program, Dan transitioned to the athletic director/assistant principal role at South High.
2020s
Annie Baden Sowerby
BS 2020 — Elementary and Special Education
Annie began her career working as a special education teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She then spent a year as a para in a self-contained classroom in Seattle. Now, she is a special education teacher in the Oregon School District.
Elizabeth Bohn
BS 2020 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Elizabeth went on to receive her master’s at the UW–Milwaukee. She is now a school occupational therapist for CESA 2.
Erin Coron
BS 2020 — Art
Erin began her career working as an after-school teacher for elementary students. Today, she works visitor services for the Chazen Museum of Art.
Bridget Hammett
BS 2020 — Special Education
Bridget has completely transitioned out of the classroom. She is now an administrative assistant for Nate Berkus Associates and has been with the company for almost a year.
Jason Kemp
PhD 2020 — Curriculum and Instruction
Jason co-edited a special issue of the journal Dimensions, published by the Southern Conference on Language Teaching in March 2024: Bridging Language Education Fields: https://www.scolt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dimensions-24_vol_59.pdf
Kari Oscar
MS 2020 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Kari is currently working as the director of social, emotional learning for the School District of Beloit.
Guzzo Pinc
MFA 2020 — Art
Guzzo had a show opening at Plant486 in New York City that is titled, “Skins.” The show, featuring Guzzo’s paintings, runs Sept. 12 to Oct. 7, with an opening reception on Sept. 12 from 6-8 p.m. Paintings are also available for online viewing beginning Sept. 12.
Emily Schindler
PhD 2020 — Curriculum and Instruction
Emily began her career as a middle school English teacher. After spending two years at UC-Irvine’s Connected Learning Lab, she is now the inaugural director of education at Comic-Con Museum in San Diego, California.
Karin Spader
PhD 2020 — Curriculum and Instruction
Karin accepted a new position at UW–Madison in the Wisconsin School of Business. As the associate director of professional programs, Karin leads efforts to advance teaching and learning by working with faculty, instructors, and TAs throughout the school.
Dorie Weller
BS 2020 — Educational Policy Studies
Dorie has been an investigator with the U.S. Department of Labor for two years and has started an adjunct instructor position at her local community college.
Laura Wintheiser
BS 2020 — Rehabilitation Psychology
After graduating Laura started working as a medical assistant at the VA Hospital. She has now completed her first year as a part-time master’s of social work student at UW–Madison.
Lifan Yu
PhD 2020 — Educational Psychology
Lifan is an assistant teaching professor at Arizona State University.
Josephine Anderson
BS 2021 — Neuroscience and Art
Josephine has been working at UW–Madison’s School of Pharmacy since graduating and was just accepted into its Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program beginning this fall.
Kaitlin Bartlett
BS 2021 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Kaitlin began her post-graduate journey as a member of the Schools of Hope AmeriCorps program. Today, she is a third grade teacher working in the Madison community.
Dawn Crim
2021 PhD — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Dawn, who is the vice chancellor for advancement, community engagement and inclusivity at UW–Green Bay, this past spring completed AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance in Higher Education.
Erin Haag
BS 2021 — Kinesiology
Erin began a doctor of physical therapy program in the fall of 2021 and last month received a Clinical Excellence Award for top-notch clinical performance, graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy, and accepted a job as a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist.
Erica Howe
MS 2021 — Curriculum and Instruction
Ary is in their third year as an eighth grade English teacher, and trying not to get too exasperated.
Renata Jaeger
BS 2021 — Education Studies
Renata began her career as an AmeriCorps member in Minneapolis Public Schools and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). Today, she works for NYCPS in the District 75 Superintendent’s Office. Renata is also currently attending Teachers College, where she is pursuing an MA in sociology and education.
Megan Mullen
BS 2012 — Elementary Education
Megan is finishing up her third year of teaching third grade in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She is an active member of her school’s School Based Leadership Team and is one of her school’s leaders in their equity-based professional development. She will be returning to UW–Madison this summer to begin her grad school studies in the Master of Science in Professional Educators program. #OnWisconsin!
Megan Arens (nee Butler)
MS 2011 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
PhD 2022 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Megan in February was promoted to assistant superintendent of the Oak Creek Franklin School District in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. She had been the principal at Oak Creek West Middle School prior to that.
Yuqing (Scarlett) Chi
BS 2022 — Education Studies
Yuqing is currently perusing her graduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and is graduating in the summer of 2024.
Savanna Dean
BS 2022 — Elementary Education and Education Studies
Since Savanna graduated in December of 2022, she has been teaching kindergarten at Southside Elementary in Madison. She loves learning and growing with her students each and every day! However, Savanna is continuing her professional journey and will be starting grad school at UW–Madison in the summer of 2024. She plans to get her master’s in educational psychology and wants to become an academic adviser at a high school or college.
Brandon Jarumbo
BS 2022 — Elementary Education
Brandon began his teaching career in the August of 2022 as a sixth grade balanced literacy and social studies teacher in his hometown of West Allis, Wisconsin. He also began coaching that school year and now coaches seventh grade boys basketball and high school varsity baseball. Brandon loves developing his community through both academic and athletic avenues. Brandon recently got accepted into UW–Madison’s graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in sports leadership.
Alyssa Paolocci
MS 2022 — Educational Psychology
Alyssa has been teaching at East High School in Madison for nine years. She continues to teach psychology and recently piloted the first African American Studies Advanced Placement course for the school.
Lucas Spencer
BS 2022 — Health Promotion and Health Equity
After graduating, Lucas accepted a job in Portland, Oregon, and moved to be a family case manager for the Department of Human Services, where he helps his clients address barriers to self-sufficiency and access community resources with strengths-based approaches. He recently obtained his Traditional Healthcare Worker certification with the Oregon Health Authority to provide peer mental health services to LGBTQ+ adults.
Emilie Springsteen
BS 2022 — Theatre and Drama
Emilie is finishing her post-bac program with EduCate-WI Project Teaching and will be starting her career as a high school English teacher this fall. Currently, she is the director of theatre for the Cumberland ETC, and opened their production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on June 6. She reports: I couldn’t have done it without the guidance of my professors with the UW Department of Theatre and Drama. On, Wisconsin!
Yewon Sung
PhD 2022 — Mathematics Education
Yewon is an assistant professor at California State University, San Bernardino.
Brittany St. John
PhD 2022 — Occupational Science
Brittany completed her Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (La Trobe University, Melbourne) in May 2024. In July, she will be starting her new role as an assistant professor of occupational therapy at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Nikhil Tiwari
PhD 2022 — Curriculum and instruction
Dr. Tiwari is a researcher at Mathematica implementing and is providing expertise on equitable evaluation methods on federal and foundation projects. He also leads technical assistance engagements with Department of Health and Human Services offices focused on building federal capacity to structurally advance equitable outcomes through HHS funding opportunities and programs.
Kelly Wenger-Harms
MA 2022 — Special Education
Kelly is working as a special education teacher at the School District of Monroe, Wisconsin.
Kirsten Bachand
BS 2023 — Kinesiology
Kirsten has been working as a medical assistant for the past year. This spring she started physician assistant school.
Alexia Bales
BSE 2023 — Communication Sciences and Disorders
Alexia entered graduate school at UW–Madison for speech language pathology. She is currently entering her second year of the program and completing externships at the Waisman Center.
Samuel Coleman
PhD 2023 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Sam began his career as an educational assistant in Milwaukee. Today, he serves as the assistant superintendent of instruction for the Oshkosh Area School District. He leverages his passions for literacy and learning to mentor educational leaders, aspiring educational leaders, and students. Sam was recently named as of one of Wisconsin’s most influential Black leaders of 2023 by Madison365.
Christopher Green
MS 2023 — Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
Chris began his career as a behavior technician. Today he is a special education teacher specializing in trauma-informed practices and behavioral disorders.
Erin Hastey
PhD 2023 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Erin received the 2024 Richard M. Romano Dissertation of the Year Award from the Council for the Study of Community Colleges. Her mixed methods dissertation explored how governing board effectiveness relates to student outcomes in community colleges. Erin works as a leadership development consultant for board members and board-facing professionals. She is the owner/operator of Board Leadership Consulting, LLC, in western Wyoming. Readers can learn more at boardleading.com.
Emma Hinz
MS 2023 — Curriculum and Instruction
Emma successfully finished her first year of teaching seventh grade English and social studies!
Anna Janke
BS 2023 — Art and Psychology
Anna began her career in the psychology field as a psychometrist at a private clinic. She has stayed connected to the university through continued participation in psychological research projects and through her position as a marketing assistant and photographer at the Office of Admissions.
Olivia Lemke
MS 2023 — Global Higher Education
Prior to graduating, Olivia began her first full-time position as student organizations and engagement manager for UW–Madison’s College of Engineering.
Casey Kaplan
BS 2023 — Health Promotion and Health Equity
Casey is currently working as an associate social media manager for better-for-you food and beverage brands at Sircle Media.
Kirby Livingston
PhD 2023 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Kirby recently finished his first year an institutional research designer and analyst at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He regularly utilizes assessment and data analysis skills learned during his time in the ELPA program in his work for the Tepper School of Business and the CMU central administration. This May he will be presenting at the Association of Institutional Researchers (AIR) Forum in Denver about his work. On, Wisconsin!
Anna MacDonald
BS 2023 — Kinesiology
After graduation, Anna went to the University of Dayton, where she received two graduate certificates. One in health communications and one in strategic public relations. She also used her last year of eligibility and played volleyball at UD for one season and won the A10 conference championship. Now she is living at home in Georgia and looking for a job in medical device sales in Atlanta.
Benazir Meera
PhD 2023 — Kinesiology
After completing her PhD, Benazir has eagerly delved deeper into the world of research. She is fully embracing her current role as a postdoctoral associate with Dr. Beth Fields in the Department of Kinesiology at UW–Madison. She says: “I couldn’t have hoped for a smoother transition after my PhD. The supportive environment fostered by my mentor, the collaborative spirit among lab members, and the vibrant energy of Madison all contribute to an enriching atmosphere.”
Evan Moss
PhD 2023 — Curriculum and Instruction
Evan started a new role in outreach and partnerships with the UW-Madison School of Education’s Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.
Jax Neal
BS 2-23 — Dance
After debuting an original work of endurance-based performance art for his undergraduate thesis, Jax became a trainee with the Marina Abramović performance art institute in Athens, Greece. His first solo exhibition “The Altarcations” — a series of four endurance based performances — debuts at Lawndale Center for the Arts in Houston, Texas in 2025. Jax is currently a California Arts Pipeline Fellow at the Desert X, a site-specific art biennial hosted in the Coachella Valley.
Andrew Pearson
PhD 2023 — Kinesiology
Andrew recently started a new job as a principal health and human performance engineer with Collins Aerospace to design and test the next generation spacesuit that astronauts will use on the International Space Station and eventually the moon through NASA’s Artemis program.
Jordan Peraud
BSE 2023 — Elementary Education
Jordan began her career as a second grade teacher in the fall after graduating. She is finishing up her first year of teaching and will enjoy her summer off before starting her second year teaching second grade.
Ryan Taplick
BS 2023 — Kinesiology
Ryan graduated in 2023 and immediately went to start working full-time as a personal trainer and do some travel. Today he is headed to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to complete a doctorate of physical therapy.
Emily Townsend
MS 2023 — Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
Emily has worked in libraries for several years and just recently in K-12 schools. She currently is the library media technology specialist at Badger Rock Middle School, a full inclusion charter school in the Madison Metro School District.
Jiahe Wang Xu
PhD 2023 — Educational Psychology
Jiahe was a stay-home mother for three years before she started her master’s and later PhD degree in the School of Education. Today, she is an assistant professor in Psychology at UW–Whitewater.
Paris Echoles
BSE 2009 — Curriculum and Instruction
MS 2015 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
PhD 2024 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Paris’ UW-Madison journey began as an undergraduate in 2005, when he came to campus from Beloit, Wisconsin, and started on his path to becoming a k-12 teacher and administrator. Today, Paris is the founder and CEO of @Born_Gift3d, a firm designed to uplift and empower all adolescents, families, communities, and organizations to holistically thrive despite any internal and external deficit narratives, challenges, and/or obstacles they may encounter.