1950s
Stanley Krippner
BA 1954 — Speech Therapy
Stanley has written and edited several books on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is working with psychologists in Ukraine to help children and adults cope with wartime trauma.
Jane Ramsay Bird Schmiedeke
BS 1955 — Occupational Therapy
Jane moved to Michigan upon graduation and, until her two kids were born, she worked as an occupational therapist in the state hospital and at Eastern Michigan College as a secretary. At 90, she’s now retired.
Roger Remington
MS 1959 — Fine Arts
Roger has retired from the Rochester Institute of Technology as the Vignelli Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Design.
1960s
Gordon A. Kraemer
MS 1962 — Education/Audio Visual
Gordon is 92 years old and has been retired since 1989.
Maxine Sheets-Johnstone
MS 1954 — Dance
PhD 1963 — Dance
Maxine’s new book, “The Importance of Evolution to Understandings of Human Nature,” and her latest article, “Power: Its Biological Nature and Human Elaborations” in Psychotherapy and Politics International, were influenced by Ruth Glassow.
Gayle Mindes
MS 1965 — Special Education
Gayle is a professor emerita at DePaul University. She is also the author and editor of multiple books including “Assessing Young Children” (author), “Social Studies for Young Children” (editor), and more.
Sherry Bell
MFA 1966 — Fine Arts
Radar Poetry’s 35th online issue selected Sherry’s artwork to accompany poetry by Tara Mesalik McMahon and Clare Paniccia. The prints picked were “Raven Uncommon Raven” and “Homestead.” Visit Sherry’s website at www.sherrysmithbell.com to see more artwork.
Charlene (Char) Brandl
BS 1965 — Education and Speech
MS 1966 — Behavioral Disabilities
Despite boldly stating that she wouldn’t still be working at age 80, Char just passed that milestone and continues on a limited part-time basis to help folks who are non-speaking learn to express themselves through typing. She is also the author of a book about her early experiences, “See Us SMART!”
Florence Vaccarello Dunkel
MS 1966 — Education
Florence began as science teacher, received a PhD in entomology from UW–Madison, conducted and directed collaborative international field/lab research programs in China and Africa, became the Montana State University entomology head, and developed the Expansive Collaboration Model promoting sustainability using a decolonization/holistic process. Florence had a 20-year collaboration with the Northern Cheyenne Nation and created a best practices resource (documentary film, media guide, elder-mentoring) released May 2023 by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
Guy A. Ritchie
MS 1966 — Physical Education
After four years of eight-week summer school sessions, Guy graduated with an MS degree in physical education in 1966. He had previously graduated with a BS degree in physical education from UW–Lacrosse. Guy spent 21 years at Turner High School in Beloit, Wisconsin, as a physical education teacher/basketball coach, and 11 years as a U.S. Army sports director (civilian). He truly believes the State of Wisconsin has a “GREAT” college system.
Richard E. Markos
MS 1967 — Business/Distributive Education
Under the direction of Dr. Russ Hosler and Dr. Harland Samson along with Mary Margaret, Richard attained an MS degree in business education in 1967 after graduating from the School of Business (School of Commerce at the time). He worked in the technical college system and the UW System teaching and administering for 37 years. Richard currently serves as the president of Markos Wholesale Apparel in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Go Badgers!)
Richard Smith
PhD 1967 — Curriculum and Instruction
Richard recently published his 30th book, “Brain Exercises for Older Adults: Using reading as a springboard to creative thinking.”
1970s
Ann Dallman
BS 1970 — Journalism Education
Ann’s recently published middle grade novel, “Cady and the Birchbark Box,” received a State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan (Books/Children & Youth). Her earlier published middle grade novel, “Cady and the Bear Necklace,” (also a Michigan Historical Society Award honoree) is now available in an audio version via Amazon.
Ellen Jo Ljung
BS 1970 — English
Illinois master teacher Ellen published her teaching memoir, “Tales Told Out of School: Lessons Learned by the Teacher.” In this collection of stories about the joys and challenges of teaching, Ellen weaves together vignettes on her quest to be a better teacher and learn from her students. She taught in public schools for 30 years, worked for the State of Illinois Innovation Talent Project, and wrote professional development materials for TeacherMatch.
Thomas Baumgart
BA 1971 — Secondary and Elementary Education
Thomas finished book four, “God and Me and Sometimes in Between” (under the name of Tombo), this year. Thomas is still volunteering for St. Vincent de Paul and lecturing at his church.
Robert Newsom
PhD 1972 — Education Psychology
Robert survived COVID-19, but is not yet sure about surviving retirement.
Anthony Amato
BS 1973 — Education
Anthony began his career as a substitute teacher at Stoughton High School and enjoyed teaching. He spent the next 30 years as a senior executive in the healthcare and renewable energy industries and the last 10 years as CEO/President of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging and Health Groups, protecting the rights of Wisconsin’s 1.4 million elderly and people with disabilities. He is now retired and teaches Sustainability Policy and Practices two mornings a week as a UW adjunct professor.
George Marx
BS 1973 — Elementary Education
George is a co-founder and co-facilitator of MERJ (Men for Equity and Reproductive Justice) at www.EndThePatriarchy.org. He is also a member of the (SF) Bay Area Reproductive Coalition, previously was an abortion clinic escort in Chicago, and hopefully soon will be one again in Alameda County, California.
Norma Sadler
PhD 1973 — Curriculum and Instruction
Norma is professor emerita from Boise State University. She has completed two novels and a poetry collection at KDP Publishing, Amazon Kindle. Her poetry book is also on Audible. A recently completed novel, “Shatter the Moon,” is out for publisher and agent review. As an artist, she works in acrylic, watercolor, and collage, and shows her work in Orange County, California.
Fatrice Currie
MS 1974 — Music Education
Fatrice was an elementary school music teacher for 32 years. She started her career in Michigan and retired in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fatrice published her first young adult novel, “Orchestra Friends: Squeals, Groans, Off-Beat Rhythms,” in 2021.
John Zola
BS 1975 — Education
John spent his career as a secondary social studies teacher. He and his wife, Jaye, have written a book, “Teaching as if Students Matter: A Guide to Creating Classrooms Based on Relationships and Engaged Learning,” that will be published by SUNY Press in spring 2024.
Ronald Baard
BS 1977 — Math Education
Ron began his career as a high school math teacher. Now an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a professor of pastoral studies, he recently retired from serving as dean of the Maine School of Ministry of the Maine Conference, UCC.
Jenene Skrupky
BS 1977 — Art Education
Jenene has had her own business doing sand blasted etched glass since 1986. In between times, she fills in the school year doing substitute teaching at the public schools. In 2020, she convinced the school board to raise salaries from $13/hr to $19/hr. Her next mission is to promote video cameras in the classroom. Students continually challenge teachers, and she would like to be able to help teachers prove their situations when they are in the right.
Margaret Buchen
BS 1979 — Art
Margaret is an adjunct professor of art and the art curator of the Harper Art Collection at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Most recently she showed her work in the Harper College Faculty Show, Harper Art Exhibition Space; the 33rd Annual International Small Print Show, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative; and the Art & Wine Show and Auction at University Center of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois.
1980s
Heidi Hosch
BS 1981 — Art Education
Heidi never taught art. She began as an activities assistant at old folks homes. Then, she became a calligrapher and did that until 12 years ago.
Robert J. McDermot
MS 1977 — Health Education
PhD 1981 — Health Education
Robert was named the 2023 Research Laureate Winner, which is the highest honor bestowed by the American Academy of Health Behavior. His collaborative work examining smokeless tobacco use by youth was cited in “The Health Consequences of Using Smokeless Tobacco,” a report by the advisory committee to the Surgeon General, in 1986. As a result of these and others’ behavioral and biological findings, smokeless tobacco began being regulated, including package warning labels. Today he is an honorary fellow in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and a professor emeritus of public health at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Dale Schulz
BA 1981 — Elementary Education
Dale began his career as a fourth grade teacher at Brooklyn Elementary School in the Oregon School District in 1981. He retired from the classroom after 34 years, but continues to teach a first aid class for kids in grades 4-6 called Rescue Kids. Dale has taught this class to kids since 1991. Throughout the years, Dale has taught over 1,400 kids in this class, many who have grown up to become members of community EMS and fire services.
Lahna (Bielefeldt) Young
BS 1981 — Art Metals
MLIS 1982 — Library Science
Lahna is not illustrious. She didn’t have much of a career in either art or as a librarian. She worked to pay the bills, not to climb the ladder. Success for her was the knowledge she gained from her schooling at UW–Madison, applying it to her life, and being a continuous learner. She lived all over the USA and now has retired to Costa Rica where she is in awe of the biodiversity and attempting to bring her 14 acres of woodlands back to their former glory.
Patricia Dobson
MS 1982 — Behavioral Disabilities
Patricia taught students with disabilities ranging from ages 4 to 21. She taught in several states which included Maryland, Texas, and Delaware. After 35 years of service, her love of teaching tempted her to come out of retirement to work for a nonprofit, where she is now a part-time facilitator teaching students SEL (social-emotional learning).
John Rury
PhD 1982 — Educational Policy Studies
John has a new book scheduled for publication, “An Age of Accountability: How Standardized Testing Came to Dominate American Schools and Compromise Education” (Rutgers University Press, forthcoming Oct. 13, 2023).
Jeff Anderson
BS 1983 — Kinesiology
Jeff recently “retired” after teaching respiratory care for 37 years at Boise State University. He incorporated much of his education in exercise physiology by teaching Cardiopulmonary Renal Anatomy and Physiology. He continues to teach this course as a part-time emeritus faculty member.
Christine Benson
BS 1983 — English Education
After graduating with a degree in education, Christine went to law school. She recently retired after practicing law for 34 years.
Patricia Markos
PhD 1983 — Behavioral Disabilities
Pat started her career working with adults with disabilities. Now, as chair of the Institute for Professional Studies in Education at UW–La Crosse, she collaborated with special education faculty in the Department of Educational Studies to develop a 24-credit Special Education Certificate program for teachers.
Shigeru Narita
PhD 1983 — Special Education and Rehabilitation
Shigeru worked at Hyogo University of Education in Japan in the teacher education programs.
Patricia Dvorak Duren
BS 1984 — Art
Patricia began her art career as a graphic designer. Since retirement from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, she has been enjoying painting in both oils and soft pastels. Her work can be viewed on her website at https://www.patriciaduren.com.
Dennis McKinley
MS 1984 — Music and Education
After 53 years of church choir directing, Dennis retired at the end of the 2022-23 choir year. He began directing in 1966 during his senior year at UW–Madison at the encouragement of his professor, Paul Haack. Dennis served at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish for 17 years and St. Maria Goretti Parish for 36 years, both in Madison, Wisconsin.
David Feldman
BS 1985 — Education
David completed his certification in executive leadership and transition coaching with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and has been named the head of school at Emerson School, an independent PreK-8 school in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Debra Orbuch Grayson
BS 1985 — Education
Debra is continuing to work with families and kids as a marriage and family therapist in private practice as well as a consultant in the community, and developing psychoeducational workshops on mental health, stress management, and well-being.
Cheryl Koss Mocadlo
BS 1985 — Secondary Education (Chemistry/Biology)
After a successful career in innovation and IP management, Cheryl is enjoying encore careers. She currently exhibits her paintings in Plum Bottom Galleries, Door County, and supports her master’s program as an adjunct teaching specialist.
Henry Steinberger
PhD 1986 — Educational Psychology: Learning
As a licensed psychologist, COVID forced Henry to use telehealth to keep working, which he liked. He decided to give up the expensive office and let those who want face-to-face go to other therapists. Henry limits his practice to substance/alcohol use disorders and emotional disorders. After a post doc in REBT with Albert Ellis (1990-1), he moved on to ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). At 72, he enjoys working from home.
Liza Wiemer
BS 1986 — Education
Liza has a new children’s picture book coming out on Aug. 15 that is titled, “Out and About: A Tale of Giving,” and published by Kalaniot Books.
Kimberly Hoggatt Krumwiede
BS 1987 — Art
Kim was appointed dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She began her career as a medical illustrator and transitioned to the field of interprofessional practice and education (IPE) in health care. She was a professor, associate dean, and director for IPE at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, prior to her move to MD Anderson.
Daniel Olson
BS 1987 — Secondary Education
Daniel has been named Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators as the Monona Grove School District superintendent. After more than 30 years in education and over a decade in school and district administration, he sees himself first and foremost as an educator. He is being recognized for his leadership in the district’s initiatives on equity, institutional practices, mental health and well-being, and engagement, among others.
Anne Slatinsky-Raskopf
BFA 1987 — Art
Anne is a fine artist exhibiting her work throughout the U.S. She is pleased to announce a solo show at the Steinhauer Trust Gallery at the UW Arboretum until Aug. 30, 2023. The exhibit explores the natural world — specifically the rock formations of central and northern Wisconsin. As a visual artist hailing from this region, Anne has been inspired by the unique geological features that are scattered throughout this part of Wisconsin. See Anne’s website at www.anneraskopf.com for details.
Tim Janikowski
PhD 1988 — Rehabilitation Psychology
After over 30 years as a rehabilitation educator, researcher, and director, Tim retired last September from the University at Buffalo’s Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology. It was a wonderful career and he’s excited for the next phase of his journey. Up next is a move to Naples, Italy, to help care for his grandchildren.
Carl Clingman
BS 1989 — Art
Carl has been working for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for the past 18 years as a senior medical illustrator. He specializes in cardiovascular surgery, but also illustrates every other medical specialty as well as research and clinical practices.
Diane Rawlinson
MFA 1989 — Dance (Performance and Choreography)
Diane recently retired after 30 years as the dance and yoga teacher at Wheeling High School in Illinois. She remains involved in dance education by teaching at conferences and collaborating with community organizations. She was recently named the InterPlay education training program coordinator, working with the international nonprofit organization to create a specialized educators track. Diane has been part of InterPlay since its founding in 1989. https://dianerawlinson.com
1990s
David Landau
BS 1990 — Elementary Education
David was a first grade teacher for 11 years. For the last 20 years he has been traveling to schools and libraries entertaining kids with outstanding music and hilarious comedy. He was named “Children’s Performer of the Year” in 2022 by the Madison Area Music Association.
Carolyn M. Lazar
BS 1964 — French and English Education
MS 1990 — Communications
Carolyn began teaching in the Madison public schools until she moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1990 and then Phoenix in 1994. She continued teaching French until she retired in 2008. She is still teaching adults conversational French and tutoring. Teaching was and continues to be her passion.
Sue Peterson
MS 1990 — Educational Administration
After retiring from full-time teaching, Sue now teaches part time in the Graduate Education Department at Concordia College for certification in gifted/talented education. She is a freelance writer/editor for U.S. and international clients. In addition, she writes/markets her own leveled books K-7, elementary language arts series, and creative plays.
Paula White
PhD 1990 — Educational Policy Studies
For 30 years, Paula worked as a senior research associate and project manager on numerous projects at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. Today, she works as a freelance photographer and writer and in 2022 published her memoir, “Ice and Rainbows,” about living and studying in Iceland in 1977-78.
Leigh (Eisen) Palmer
BS 1991 — Elementary Education
Leigh started her teaching career in New Orleans, Louisiana, teaching 2nd grade. She is now teaching 3rd grade in St. Louis, Missouri, having previously taught grades 1-4.
Sue Moberly
BS 1992 — Art Education
After 30 years in art education, most recently teaching metal and glass at Madison West High School, Susan retired. Rather than sit on the couch, she set her passion and sites on opening a metalsmith studio, offering classes in jewelry making and stained glass to adults. Find her at Torn Edge Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. She wishes to thank Professors Fred Fenster and Doug Marschalek for setting her on this life’s path.
Alison Price
BS 1992 — Elementary Education
Alison is a new co-owner of Veritas Music and Learning Center in Gurnee, Illinois.
Suzanne Freedman
PhD 1993 — Educational Psychology
Suzanne wrote a children’s curriculum focusing on educating upper-level elementary school children about forgiveness and related concepts, such as kindness, perspective-taking, healthy expressions of anger, empathy, and generosity. The title of the curriculum is, “The Courage to Forgive: Educating Elementary School Children About Forgiveness,” and it is available through the International Forgiveness Institute.
Paul Rux
PhD 1994 — Administration of Higher Education
Paul has published 10 books on Amazon.com. They apply his theoretical knowledge from study with his “lessons learned” from practice.
Ibrahim Duyar
MS 1992 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
PhD 1995 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
After graduating from UW, Ibrahim served as a middle and high school principal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He moved to higher education in 2003 and is currently a tenured full research professor at Arkansas State University. Ibrahim stays active in research; for instance, he published two peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter in 2023. He serves on journal editorial boards and assumes leadership roles in international and national conferences. Ibrahim can be reached at iduyar@astate.edu.
Judith Hankes
PhD 1995 — Education
Judith was recently awarded the Christian Indie 2023 Finalist Award for “Nettles and Roses: A story of Resilience and Redemption,” a biography/memoir about her mother. “Nettles and Roses” is available via Amazon.
Stephanie Helminger
BS 1999 — Elementary Education
Stephanie recently earned her master of arts in education (curriculum and instruction) degree from the University of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut.
Daniel Krhin
MS 1999 — Educational Administration
Dan has been the director of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Student Support Services retention program at Ripon College since 1987, with his focus on leading efforts to prepare first generation and Pell-eligible students for graduation and graduate school. For the past three years, Dan has received funding from an area foundation to lead sessions on financial literacy and retirement planning, helping students understand investing concepts as they set up actual funded retirement accounts.
Sandra Miller
MS 1999 — Education and Rehabilitation Psychology
Sandi began her career as a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor and worked up into several positions within both blind and general VR agencies, including director. She is currently working as a technical assistance provider for VR and education agencies to improve employment outcomes for students and youth with disabilities.
Nahathai Thewphaingarm
PhD 1999 — Educational Administration
Nahathai founded the Canadian International School of Thailand. Today, she is a politician and serves as the chairperson of the Education Policy Platform Committee.
2000s
Margene Anderson
BS 2001 — Curriculum and Instruction and Secondary English Education
Margene began her career as an English teacher and school librarian. Today, she is proud to serve as the educational advancement and faculty development specialist at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
Ruth Avra Duff
BA 2001 — Art
Ruth created the work, “Boil Notice,” as part of the Broward Cultural Division and Community Foundation of Broward Artist Innovation Grant with her sister, Dana Kleinman. The exhibit ran through July 3, 2023.
John Geittmann
BS 2001 — Secondary Education
John was recently promoted to manage the highest profile automotive dealer accounts for Tekion, which is revolutionizing how business is done with auto dealers. He is using his UW education background to deep dive into process and procedures!
Laura Feffer
BS 2003 — Education
Laura began as an English and drama teacher. Today she is the assistant principal of Allegan High School in Michigan.
Peter Youngs
PhD 2003 — Educational Policy Studies
In July 2023, Peter will move into the role of chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia, where he has been teaching for the past nine years.
Beth Giles-Klinkner
PhD 2006 — Curriculum and Instruction
Beth has been named interim provost for Madison College for the 2023-24 academic year. She previously served as the associate dean for the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Aaron Carpiaux
BS 2007 — Kinesiology
Aaron became a founding member of Orthopedic and Spine Centers of Wisconsin, serving south central Wisconsin’s orthopedic surgery needs and focusing on bringing new value-based care concepts to the region to make quality care more affordable for patients and offer solutions to the strained and costly healthcare system. He and his wife Sonja (also a UW Kinesiology 2007 alum!) are expecting their fourth child (and daughter!) to be born this summer.
Lindsay (Johnson) Kopinski
BS 2007 — Elementary Education
Lindsay began her career as a kindergarten teacher. After eight years in the classroom and acquiring a master’s degree, she moved into a role as a district level instructional coach. Lindsay completed her EdS in administration and is currently an assistant principal in Lake Zurich, Illinois.
Perry LaRoque
BS 2000 — Special Education
MA 2005 — Special Education
PhD 2007 — Special Education
Mansfield Hall, founded by Perry, is a residential college support program for students with autism, with programs in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Vermont. Mansfield Hall is launching a first-of-its-kind study abroad program for students with autism this fall in partnership with the University of Reading in England. Additionally, Virtual Hall, the organization’s online-based coaching program for college students, is expanding. Find more info at www.mansfieldhall.org and www.virtualhall.org.
Ka Yan Lee
BS 2007 — Rehabilitation Psychology
MS 2007 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Ka Yan (June) was a community college lecturer. Today, she is a licensed clinical psychologist and working in Hong Kong.
Jared Markiewicz
BS 2007 — Kinesiology
Jared has fulfilled his passion for movement and helping others through owning/operating his gym, Functional Integrated Training, since June 2012 — soon to be 11 years!
Christopher Phillips
PhD 2007 — Counseling Psychology
Christopher has been named the chief psychologist for Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). He provides technical expertise, guidance, and direct clinical services in operational psychology (operational support, human performance enhancement), SERE psychology (survival and recovery from hostage/POW experiences), and clinical treatment to special operations forces (SOF) and SOCEUR Headquarters personnel.
Kristen Bieda
PhD 2008 — Curriculum and Instruction
Kristen has recently been promoted to the rank of full professor in the Department of Teacher Education and the Program in Mathematics Education at Michigan State University.
Regina Chagolla
BS 2008 — Elementary Education
Regina was first appointed as Emery Unified School Board trustee in 2020 and elected in November 2022 for a four-year term. In 2023, she was elected to serve as the California Federation of Teachers ECE/TK-12 Northern California vice president. Regina is also vice president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, representing 900 educators, since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Madison as a Posse Scholar and master’s degree from UC Berkeley. She lives in Emeryville, California, with her family.
Maha Hilal
MS 2008 — Counseling
After completing her MS in counseling, Maha obtained her PhD in justice, law, and society at American University in Washington, D.C. Last year she published her first book, called “Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11.” She serves as executive director of the Muslim Counterpublics Lab that focuses on disrupting and subverting dehumanizing narratives that are used to target Muslims.
Nga-Wing Anjela Wong
MA 2005 — Educational Policy Studies
PhD 2008 — Educational Policy Studies
Angela was promoted to full professor at UW–Eau Claire effective August 2023. She worked with Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings and Dr. Stacey Lee during her time on campus.
William Adams
BS 2009 — Kinesiology
William was recently awarded a grant from the International Olympic Committee for continued support of the U.S. Coalition for the Prevention of Illness and Injury in Sport, one of 11 global IOC designated research centers. He also received R01 funding from the National Institutes of Health, exploring sleep deficiencies and weight gain in young Black adults, where he is serving as a consultant on the funded project.
Susan Borden
PhD 2009 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Susan is currently serving as the head of ACS-Doha and has been a resident of Qatar for 7 years. She also serves as the president of the American Women’s Association and was a Pioneer Volunteer for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 and World Cup 2022. She especially enjoyed working the final match at Lusail Stadium and interacting with several VIPs and players from both teams.
2010s
Molly Carlson
PhD 2010 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and Higher Education
Molly assumed the role of associate vice president of continuing education and workforce development at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland. She leads all non-credit programming as well as the Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute and Construction & Applied Technologies Institute.
Audra Grosz
BS 2010 — Liberal Arts
Audra co-owned one of the first women-owned tattoo shops in Madison. She has now settled in Viroqua, Wisconsin, with her family and opened Viroqua’s first ever tattoo shop.
Carola Pfortner
MS 1980 — Behavioral Disabilities
PhD 2010 — Counseling Psychology
Carola completed her 44-year career, retiring as faculty emeritus from Madison College.
Corrin Pitluck
PhD 2010 — Curriculum and Instruction and Curriculum Theory
Corrin is leveraging her PhD and learning from UW at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) with a career in education research. AIR is a nonprofit research and technical assistance institute that lives its values of diversity, equity, and inclusion daily.
Mac Weninger
BS, MD 2010 — Exercise and Movement Science
Mac started practicing as a new physician in August 2022 at ThedaCare Orthopedic Spine and Pain Center in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Linda Vakunta
MA 2011 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Linda joined (Madison) Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s administration in 2019. She continues into the mayor’s second term covering culture and the economy. Her portfolio includes community development, economic development, racial equity, social justice, and the arts. In addition to her day job, she continues to co-host the Pan Africa radio show on WORT 89.9 FM. She recently launched her podcast, “Storie! with Linda.” She is a children’s book author of “Achu, Apple, and Acheke.”
Lauren Gatti
PhD 2012 — Curriculum and Instruction
Lauren is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Her second book, “The New Political Economy of Teacher Education: The Enterprise Narrative and the Shadow State” (co-authored with Viv Ellis and Warwick Mansell) is forthcoming from Policy Press in 2023. She is also co-authoring a book with Paula McAvoy entitled, “Just Teacher: Ethical Thinking in the Profession of Teaching” (Teachers College Press, 2024).
Em Meier
BS 2012 — Secondary Education
Em returned to the field of outdoor education after a decade of work in nonprofits, communication, and public education. As coach education manager for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, she collaborates on curriculum creation, facilitates trainings, and provides support in best practices for youth development for mountain bike coaches and teams across the country.
Carlos Bustamante
BS 2014 — Athletic Training
Carlos began his career as an intern athletic trainer for the Washington Wizards. Today, he is completing his third season as a full-time assistant athletic trainer for the Wizards.
Chantal Fuller
BS 2014 — Special Education
Chantal started her career as an educator and special education advocate in Washington, D.C. Today, she works as the communications director for Councilmember Christina Henderson and is working towards creating a PR firm for Black entertainers and athletes.
Saili Kulkarni
PhD 2015 — Special Education
Saili was inducted into the National Disability Mentoring Coalition’s Susan M. Daniels Hall of Fame for 2022.
Bauyrzhan Abuov
MS 2016 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Bauyrzhan started a new job at Pavlodar Pedagogical University, named after Alkey Margulan, as a vice-rector for strategic development and internationalization. This is his first job as a top manager at a university. Now he is responsible for the development of the university and its connections and partners. He is grateful for the knowledge and experience he obtained at UW–Madison.
Rebecca Johnson
BS 2016 — Dance
Rebecca is graduating from UW–Milwaukee with her doctorate in physical therapy.
Shannon Jones
BFA 2016 — Studio Art
Shannon completed her MFA in furniture design at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2022. She now works at the School of Visual Arts in New York City running the Visible Futures Lab — a space for learning, prototyping, and art-making.
Michael Dando
PhD 2017 — Curriculum and Instruction
Michael was named the 2022 Minnesota State Educator of the Year, and currently serves as director of secondary language arts education at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). His artwork/research has been featured in the Met Museum’s “Afrofuturism Period Room,” and he is an NEA grant recipient. Michael also launched Minnesota’s Hip Hop Education Summit for educators, students, and hip hop practitioners, as well as established Minnesota’s first “grow your own” hip hop centered teacher educator program partnering with the High School of Recording Arts.
Monica Holland
BS 2017 — Dance
After a few years of living and working in Los Angeles as a dancer and yoga instructor, Monica is now the programs and community engagement manager for the LA Dance Project — a boundary-expanding nonprofit dance company based in Los Angeles and led by Artistic Director Benjamin Millepied.
Kristen McNeill
MS 2017 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Global Higher Education)
Kristen is continuing her education working towards an MA in international human rights/international development at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She holds a full-time job at The Village Institute, a refugee community center/early childhood education center that serves single mother refugees, refugee families, and single refugee women.
Adam Ross Nelson
PhD 2017 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Adam published a book, “How to Become a Data Scientist: A Guide for Established Professionals.”
MiKayla Scott-Krattiger
BS 2017 — Kinesiology
After graduating with her BS in kinesiology, MiKayla pursued a master of science in academic advising as well as a master of science in higher education administration. She is now beginning her role as an admission’s counselor with the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Kyira Wackett
MS 2017 — Counseling Psychology
Kyira is a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, anxiety, and trauma. While she loved therapy, her dream was to develop a program that gave people the skills and tools to create lasting change while building a community founded on vulnerability and shame resiliency. In Oct. 2021, she left therapy to pursue her business, Adversity Rising, full-time. And in January, she launched That Life AR, a community-driven program that empowers people to become the author of their own stories.
Adrienne Barberg
BSE 2018 — Early Childhood Education, ESL
After five years of teaching elementary school, Adrienne will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to get her master’s degree in education, culture, and society.
Chelsea Blackburn Cohen
PhD 2018 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Chelsea started a new position as executive fellow for community engagement in the Office of the President at Carnegie Mellon University.
Grant Gustafson
MFA 2018 — Art
After moving to NYC in 2021, Grant started a ceramics studio business in Brooklyn called Flatbush Clay Works.
Laura Hamman-Ortiz
PhD 2018 — Curriculum and Instruction
In her new role as assistant professor of TESOL and bilingual education at the University of Rhode Island, Laura is taking her work on translanguaging pedagogy to the nation’s smallest state, working with Rhode Island teachers at bilingual schools to design writing instruction that leverages students’ full linguistic repertoires for learning. Learn more.
Heather (Roth) Dunham
PhD 2019 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Heather served as a teaching assistant for Dr. Colleen Capper in ELPA and then joined the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Louisiana as an assistant professor. The University of Louisiana is designated as a Carnegie R1 university. Heather currently researches the leveraging policy of equity systems change.
Erika Gallagher
MS 2019 — Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary English Education
Erika is an English teacher at Verona Area High School and has served on the district Gender Inclusion Committee, the high school Grading for Equity team, and as GSA co-advisor. She created her own class, called “Choice, Voice, and Story,” for which she secured funding from the Abolitionist Teaching Network, Greater Madison Writing Project, Arts + Lit Lab, and Verona Area Education Foundation. Erika presented at the annual GSAFE conference and was the keynote speaker for the PFLAG conference in May.
Belén Hernando-Lloréns
PhD 2019 — Curriculum and Instruction
Belén received the 2023 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Early Career Award, granted by the Critical Issues in Curriculum and Cultural Studies Interest Group. The award recognizes a scholar in the early stages of their career who explore the ways policies, practices, and artifacts shape social histories and transform educational experiences and relationships. This award is given to one early career scholar who best demonstrates a consistent commitment to the critical study of curriculum and cultural studies.
Anisa Yudawanti
BS 2019 — Education Studies
After graduating, Anisa worked with youth through MMSD schools and community organizations in Madison. This fall, Anisa will begin a doctoral program in race, inequality, and language in education (RILE) at Stanford University.
2020s
Erin Coron
BS 2020 — Art
Erin is currently working at the Chazen Museum of Art and finishing her master’s in museum studies.
Michaela Curley
BA 2020 — Middle Childhood Early Education, ESL Education
Michaela started teaching in 2020 at Cherokee Heights Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin. She has taught 8th grade humanities and science, and she is now a special education teacher. Curley is currently completing her master’s in education at UW–Madison, and she is grateful for her undergrad and grad experiences that have provided and continue to provide her with opportunities to learn and grow.
Bridget Hammett
BS 2020 — Special Education
Bridget finished her second year as a fifth and sixth grade special education teacher in June. She is pursuing a new opportunity once the school year is over.
Jooyeong Ji
BS 2020 — Theatre and Drama
JJ is studying Korean Education (MA) at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul. She wants to be a Korean teacher in the future.
Nate Kelty
MS 2020 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Nate is currently working as a data and policy analyst for the Wisconsin School of Business at UW–Madison. In this role, Nate applies the skills and techniques learned from the ELPA curriculum to identify areas of improvement, determine program effectiveness, and reach policy goals.
Amato Nocera
PhD 2020 — Educational Policy Studies
Amato recently received a grant with colleagues to study the interaction between AI and history education. The project is titled, “Integrating Language-Based AI Across the High School Curriculum to Create Diverse Pathways to AI-Rich Careers.”
Brianne Pitts
PhD 2020 — Curriculum and Instruction
After completing her PhD, Brianne left the elementary classroom to take a role as assistant professor of social studies education at Western Michigan University. Recently, she served as guest editor alongside Dr. LaGarrett King and Dawnavyn James for “Social Studies and the Young Learner,” documenting elementary Black history practices.
Kaitlin Bartlett
BS 2021 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Kaitlin began her post-graduate journey in service through the AmeriCorps Schools of Hope program in Madison schools. Today, she is a 3rd grade teacher in the greater Madison area, earning her MA in elementary education.
Ellen Brandt
BS 2021 — Health Promotion and Health Equity
For a long time, Ellen couldn’t find a major that suited her interests. She found the HPHE major early in her junior year, and is so happy it was recommended to her by her advisor (thanks Camille Bernier!). Ellen now works at UW as a health services research specialist at the Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program (WiSOR). The research she helps with focuses on patients who have suffered injury or an acute surgical illness and improving long-term outcomes such as functional ability and quality of life.
Ryan Goos
MS 2021 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Global Higher Education)
Ryan recently returned to UW–Madison to work as an international student advisor with International Student Services.
Renata Jaeger
BS 2021 — Education Studies
Renata began her career as an AmeriCorps member working at a middle school in Minneapolis. In 2022, she was accepted to Teachers College, Columbia University, and moved to New York to pursue an MA in sociology and education, with a concentration on education policy. In addition to grad school, Renata works full-time as the administrative assistant to the superintendent of District 75, the largest district in NYC Public Schools, which primarily serves students with disabilities.
Esther Bettney Heidt
PhD 2022 — Curriculum and Instruction
Esther is a school network researcher at the new Multilingual Learning Center, part of the UW–Madison School of Education. The mission of the MLRC is to advance educational outcomes for multilingual learners through innovative and socially conscious research. Esther’s work focuses on the MLRC School Network, a global research practice partnership for schools committed to improving outcomes for multilingual learners.
Anthony Hernandez
PhD 2022 — Educational Policy Studies
Anthony completed his first year as teaching faculty in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. He won two student-initiated teaching awards for “Honored Instructor.” He also published an op-ed in the Capital Times calling for a comprehensive antiracism initiative at UW–Madison.
Emma Joy Jampole
PhD 2022 — Curriculum and Instruction
Emma Joy has accepted a position as assistant professor of music and coordinator of music education at California State University, Stanislaus.
Carter Jay
BS 2022 — Elementary Education
Following her graduation, Carter began graduate school at Northwestern University in June 2022, pursuing a master’s degree in secondary education with a focus in social studies. Carter student taught in a high school in Chicago Public Schools during the winter quarter, and finished up her spring quarter this June. Carter graduated from Northwestern University in June 2023 and will begin her job search in Chicago Public Schools this summer.
Morgan Michaels
MS 2022 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Global Higher Education)
Morgan has begun her career as a program advisor for the Wisconsin Union. She guides students in their leadership experiences through programming efforts for the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD). She works primarily with the Cuisine and Global Connections Committees.
Alyssa Paolocci
MS 2022 — Educational Psychology
Alyssa has been a teacher at Madison East High School for eight years. She currently teaches Advanced Placement Psychology and World History Overview. Next year she will be piloting Advanced Placement African American Studies.
Savanna Roeder
BS 2022 — Elementary Education and Education Studies
Savanna began teaching kindergarten in January 2023 for the Madison Metropolitan School District. In the fall, she will be taking over a brand new classroom at the recently developed Southside Elementary in Madison.
Trang Tran
MS 2022 — Curriculum and Instruction
Trang has been working as a visiting lecturer in Vietnamese at Brown University since 2021. With a passion for the Vietnamese language and culture, Trang dedicates her life to teaching her native language to students and to making the language and culture come alive in the classroom. Her experience as a language learner has given her a unique perspective on language instruction, which she uses to create engaging and practical lessons.
Alexandria Viegut
PhD 2022 — Educational Psychology
Alex will be starting in fall 2023 as an assistant professor of psychology at UW–Eau Claire.
Andrew Wolfram
BA 2022 — Kinesiology
Andrew is starting his second year of medical school at Trinity School of Medicine in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.