1950s
Constance Fried
BS 1953 — Physical Education
Constance reports that 16 women graduated in 1953 from the Department of Women’s Physical Education. She writes that “five of us are still alive and meet once a month on Zoom to compare the activities of the previous month.” Constance adds: “We are from the days of Ruth Glassow, Margaret H’Doubler, Marie Carns, and many other amazing professors. Our education at that time was the best in the country. We were all successful teachers in that field.” Constance went on to earn an MS in physical education in 1983.
Barbara Burnham Rider
BS 1954 — Occupational Therapy
The 18th Annual Barbara A. Rider Colloquium was held Oct. 14, 2022 at Western Michigan University (WMU). Dr. Rider is a former chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy at WMU.
Stanley Krippner
BA 1954 — Education
Stanley and his three co-authors have written “Understanding Suicide’s Allure.” Their book focuses on three groups: those in the military, those who were bullied, and those who were sexually abused. Among the book’s unique features are two chapters on psychedelically assisted psychotherapy, and suicide among Indigenous groups. The book takes an existential approach to suicide and its prevention, and emphasizes evidence-supported treatment programs.
Jane Royer Carter
BA 1954 — Speech Correction
Jane taught children with hear loss from age 4 through middle school. She also worked with post stroke aphasic adults.
Bill Jantsch
BA 1956 — Physical Education and Naval Science
Bill was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marines and served as an infantry platoon leader at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Bill started his education career at Belmont, Wisconsin, as a science and physical education teacher. He also coached basketball, football, and baseball, winning seven conference championships. He also won the JC’s “Young Educator of the Year” Award for Wisconsin in 1966. Bill retired in 1997 from the Dubuque Community School District as district athletic director after teaching earth science and coaching football.
Roger Remington
MA 1959 — Art
R. Roger Remington, the Vignelli Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Rochester Institute of Technology, published his fifth book in 2022, “Communicating Knowledge Visually: Will Burtin’s Scientific Approach to Information Design.”
1960s
James A McMillin
BS 1963 — Education
James taught at the elementary school level for three years and then had stints in various business, ending in a 40-year material handling sales engineer career.
Harriet Williams
PhD 1965 — Physical Education
Harriet spent her career as a professor in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. Check out her new website for ideas for preventing falls: beforeyoufall.org
Ellyn Wiens
BSE 1961 — Speech Communication
MS 1966 — Education and Speech
Ellyn taught junior high, high school, and college speech communication classes. She went on to form her own consulting company, working primarily with Allis Chalmers to develop a supervisory management for women program. Later she was responsible for training at various levels at Milwaukee corporations before retiring in 1999.
Sherry Bell
MS, MFA 1967 — Fine Art
Sherry lives in Harbor, Washington, and is a fine art artist, poetry writer, and curator of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. Her visual art poetry, “Cut and Paste,” is published in the zine, “Circle of Seasons,” FishTrap, writing in the West.
Richard Markos
MS 1967 — Business Education
Richard began teaching in the technical school system with an internship at Kenosha Technical Institute. Was hired as a full-time instructor at Madison Area Technical College and from there moved to Coleman Technical Institute in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He moved on to UW—La Crosse as assistant registrar and subsequently returned to Western Technical College as registrar. After retiring from a career in education, he is now Owner of Markos Wholesale Apparel in La Crosse.
Julia Morgan
BS 1967 — English Education
Julia taught for two years, worked as a librarian for 40 years in public libraries in Massachusetts and Minnesota, and retired in July 2022 after 22 years as an immigration attorney.
Richard Smith
PhD 1967 — Curriculum and Instruction
Richard recently published his 31st book: “Brain Exercises for Older Adults.”
Joan Jacobson
BS 1968 — Secondary Education, French
Joan began her career teaching French in Northbrook, Illinois, first at the elementary level, then at the middle school level. After several years teaching, she earned her master’s in school counseling at Northeastern Illinois University. After moving to Kansas, she taught high school French for several more years, until an opening at Shawnee Mission South High School in counseling, which she loved working at for 20 years. Joan is currently retired, still keeping in touch with college counseling.
Sharon Burmeister
BS 1969 — Secondary Education, German and Sociology
Sharon began her career as a social worker, then became a substitute teacher. After raising six children, she returned to substitute teaching. She currently teaches in the Burnsville and Farmington, Minnesota, school districts.
1970s
Ann Dallman
BS 1970 — Journalism Education
Ann’s career has transitioned from teaching high school English and journalism to working in corporate communications. A retired master teacher in both Michigan and Wisconsin, she now writes middle grade novels drawing on her 15 years of teaching on a reservation in northern Michigan. Her latest book, “Cady and the Birchbark Box,” was recently honored by the Historical Society of Michigan with its 2022 Award in Books: Children & Youth.
John Dezek
BS 1971 — Secondary Education
“Jack” is an emeritus associate professor at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, where he was associate dean of the Adrian Dominican School of Education for 20 years. He’s now teaching as a lecturer (adjunct) in Barry U’s Educational Leadership Department, teaching online courses in the certification program for future principals.
Emily Dixon
BS 1971 — Science Education
Emily began her career as a junior high school math/science teacher. Emily continued in education as an education administrator in charge of special needs students. Today she is an attorney advocate for children, domestic violence survivors, and senior citizens.
Ronnie Jo Sokol
MS 1971 — Behavioral Disorders
Ronnie Jo taught students with special needs at Evanston Township High School in Illinois for 33.5 years, organized a college night for students with special needs from several area high schools, and served as chairperson of Holocaust Remembrance Activities, a week-long presentation of speakers, films, and activities. Following her retirement in 2005, Ronnie Jo became a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation (now “Center”) and leads river cruises, bus tours, and walking tours.
Dolores Jones
BS 1972 — Physical Education
After 40 years of teaching PE, Dolores is now 10 years retired and enjoying every day. She spends her time helping with the granddaughters, participating in YMCA water classes, and participating in church activities including choir, the quilt ministry, and teaching a Sunday morning Bible study.
Mary L. Roth Burns
BS 1973 — Art Education
Mary has changed directions in her life many times, including in her education. She earned a master’s from New York University’s Gallatin School in 2002 and briefly taught art at UW–Richland Center. In 2004, Mary began law school at UW-Madison, graduating in 2007. She then worked as an attorney at the State Public Defender for 15 years before being appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to fill an open position as Circuit Court Judge in Oneida County in August of 2022.
Susan Harrington
MS 1974 — Education
Susan was a high school teacher, teaching primarily chemistry. After retiring from teaching she taught part time at the local UW colleges, teaching some chemistry and some developmental mathematics. After the death of her husband, she moved to Utah.
Darla Hiltgen
BS 1974 — French Education
Darla began her teaching career as a part-time private school FLES teacher, then moved into special education as the private school closed. She worked with mentally disabled adults and emotionally disabled teens before moving into public school as a special education and French teacher. Earning her MS Ed-EBD, she continued to teach both areas in the Atlanta area until retirement. She now teaches ESOL classes at her church.
Elizabeth Ermenc
BS 1975 — Theatre
Elizabeth (also known as BJ) worked in a variety of industries and positions, many of which involved training and creating training materials. Experiencing severe hearing loss led her to join the Hearing Loss Association of America, for which she conducts online and in-person presentations on hearing loss. After retiring she joined the Wauwatosa Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Milwaukee County Falls Prevention Coalition, educating city staff, elected officials, and the general public.
Elias Kawar
MS 1975 — Curriculum and Instruction
Elias left UW–Madison in 1975 to take a five-year media consultancy job offer in Saudi Arabia. Elias’ latest project is a proposal to The ARAMCO Museum in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, “A Global Museum of the Stamps that Changed the World.”
Curtis Ripley
MFA 1975 — Art
Curtis lives and works in Mar Vista, California. In the last six months he had solo exhibitions of his paintings and works on paper in Los Angeles and San Francisco. His work was also included in various group shows.
John Zola
BS 1975 — Education, History
John graduated in December of 1975 and began his teaching career in January. John today is a developer and trainer for The Discussion Project, which is based in the UW–Madison School of Education. He and his wife, Jaye, are working on a book about teaching.
Scott Davis
MS 1976 — Education
After teaching middle school in upstate New York for 35 years, Scott retired to teach teacher prep programs at the University of Binghamton’s Graduate School of Education. He is currently working on a book that is not yet titled, but might be “Teaching Math as a Subversive Activity.” Scott writes: “I would love to know what my colleagues from back then (1971-72) are up to.” He adds: “I remain very appreciative of UW, and the many fine professors I had — particularly Mike Apple and a Professor Jensen from Educational Psychology.”
Jan Norsetter
BS 1973 — Art Education
MA 1975 — Art
MFA 1976 — Art
A full-time painter, Jan painted a painting a day for 366 consecutive days and posted them on social media each day. Her new book, published October 2022, “Gouaches,” contains a selection of 115 of those paintings from all four seasons of her exploration of the medium of gouache. Gouache is a water-based medium. The colors are similar to watercolor but they are opaque.
Virginia (Hunt) O’Brien
BS 1976 — Occupational Therapy
Virginia and her husband (a 1979 grad) have moved back to Madison. She is currently working at UW Health’s Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Department of the Orthopedic Department. I am developing a Hand Therapy Fellowship, to be credentialed by AOTA. We are looking forward to accepting our first Fellow in the Spring of 2023. If any are interested, they can find contact information at www.aota.org.
Holly Hughes Stoner
BS 1977 — Elementary Education
Holly started out as an elementary teacher in the Chicago area, get her master’s in special education, and eventually went back to school to be a marriage and family therapist. She now co-directs the Wellness Compass initiative with her husband Scott Stoner and they have a podcast about family wellness titled, “The Wellness Compass Podcast.”
Carla Austin
BS 1978 — Occupational therapy
After providing occupational therapy services to children and their families in Dallas for 40 years, Carla retired prior to the pandemic to travel with husband, Mike. But she found herself instead helping nonprofits through the challenging but successful process of opening a Down syndrome clinic for adults, converting in person to tele-health early intervention home visits, and providing hybrid classes in a private school serving children with significant special needs. She writes: “OTs know how to adapt!”
Christine Gowey
BS 1978 — Physical Education
Christine began her career as a physical education teacher. Presently she is a published children’s books author, nonprofit. Books are available on Amazon.
Jenene Skrupky
BS 1978 — Art Education
Jenene has a business called Art Force in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. She does etched glass designs on front entry doors and there are four churches that have her stained glass windows. The top state art award was won by Jenene for an oil painting in 1977, and she has also won four Best of Show awards and 19 first-place honors. She taught oils, acrylics and watercolors at Indian River State College in adult education. Jenene has owned and operated three galleries. A local magazine, “Sandpiper Neighbors,” recently featured Jenene.
Ellen Garvens
BS 1979 — Art, Printmaking
Ellen is a professor of art at the University of Washington in the Photo/Media program for the last 28 years. Ellen has plans to retire this year. She has a one-person show up currently at the Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Seattle.
1980s
Nancy Roberts
BS 1980 — Art Education
Nancy is in her 34th year teaching visual arts in the Kansas City metropolitan area. She has been recognized as a Teacher of Excellence several times during her career.
Kathi (Holloway) Wiedenhoeft
BS 1980 —Physical Education and Dance
Kathi has been teaching for 42 years. She has taught dance, gymnastics, kindergarten, homeschool K to third grade, and at-risk eighth grade. She has taught in Michigan, Alaska, Illinois, Virginia, Washington state, and now in Wisconsin. She is currently the advanced learning coordinator for Beaver Dam Unified Schools.
Loring Brinckerhoff
PhD 1981 — Educational Psychology and Special Education
Loring recently retired from being the director of the Office of Disability Policy at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. He oversaw ADA testing accommodations for 15,000 individuals a year who were taking the GRE, Praxis, or TOEFL tests for 23 years. Loring resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Terri Grasser
BS 1981 — Occupational Therapy
Terri is entering her 40th year of providing therapy services to children and families.
Hank Grebe
BS 1981 — Art
Hank left UW-Madison’s MFA program to work with 3D computer graphics at NYIT’s Computer Graphics Lab in 1983. Semi-retired, Hank still creates 3D animation for a variety of clients providing scientific and biomedical imagery. He also has returned to traditional oil painting and lives in scenic Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Hank’s work is online at https://hankgrebe.com/
Catherine Kernan
MFA 1981 — Printmaking
Catherine currently has an exhibition of travel sketches, paintings, and prints at the Greek embassy in Washington, D.C. She continues as a professional printmaker and is a partner in Mixit Print Studio in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Jeff Anderson
BA 1983 — Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology
Jeff was one of the first graduates of the new (at the time) exercise physiology curriculum in 1983. He transitioned to a career teaching respiratory care, and recently retired as an emeritus associate professor at Boise State University. During his time at Boise State he received awards for advising, clinical teaching in an adult intensive care unit, and the Golden Apple Award for teaching from nominations by students.
Hilary Apfelstadt
PhD 1983 — Curriculum and Instruction, Music Education
Hilary received the Weston H. Noble Award for lifetime achievement in the choral art at the Midwestern Region Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in Chicago in February 2022. This award is presented every two years to a member of ACDA chosen by elected officers of the organization. Weston H. Noble was a faculty member in the Music Department at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for more than 50 years.
Kathi Brandfass
BS 1983 — Physical Therapy
Kathi retired in March 2022 from the position of director of the Neuro/Vestibular program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Kathi continues as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh Physical Therapy Department.
Paula Dail
PhD 1983 — Continuing and Vocational Education
Paula’s latest book, “Fearless,” is receiving five-star reviews from Reader’s Choice, Midwest Book Review, and Literary Titan, which calls it “… a masterpiece of feminist writing.” Inspired by a true story, the novel chronicles the life of a heroic Catholic nun who takes up the fight for women’s reproductive rights within the largest, wealthiest patriarchy in the world – the Catholic Church. Previously, Paula has twice won the Council for Wisconsin Writers Non-fiction Book of the Year Award.
Kevin Frazzini
BS 1983 — Education, English
Kevin began his career as a middle school English teacher and tutor, then began editing, writing, and researching for magazine and daily newspaper publishers. He is now a senior editor at the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan policy research organization.
Michael Harwell
PhD 1983 —Educational Psychology
Michael recently retired after 21 years of teaching and research in educational statistics in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota, 14 years at the University of Pittsburgh, and two years at Michigan State University.
Patricia Markos
PhD 1983 — Behavioral Disabilities
Pat’s first professional position was as a rehabilitation supervisor where she trained adults with disabilities in job skills, and went on to be habilitation coordinator at a residential program for adults with disabilities. She moved to Las Vegas in 1990, where she became a professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Pat had a 17-year career at UNLV. In 2008, she moved back to Wisconsin and is chair of the Institute for Professional Studies in Education at UW–La Crosse, which offers 13 graduate programs for teachers.
Rick Witucki
MS 1983 — Counseling and Guidance
Rick has been doing social work and probation work in Minnesota since 1981. Rick was ordained a Roman Catholic deacon in 1996 and writes “I’ll always remember Madison, the university, and my friends with warmth and love.
Kevin Gasser
BS 1985 — Physical Education
Kevin began his career teaching middle school physical education and high school coaching in Madison. He now is an academic advisor, dual enrollment coordinator, and adjunct instructor of education at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.
Sharon Robinson
BS 1985 — Education, Community Health
Sharon started working on a cruise ship for 1.5 years and worked in health education. Sharon earned a BSN and worked in pediatrics and women services. Sharon holds an MS in hospital/health administration and is a certified diabetes educator for 23 years. Sharon continues to promote health/family education since graduation.
James Beckers
BS 1986 — Secondary Education, Natural Sciences
Jim began his teaching career in the Milwaukee public schools at North Division High School. After teaching there for five years, Jim accepted a position at Shorewood High School, where he taught biology, AP biology, and assorted physical science classes for 25-plus years. The final two years in Shorewood Jim taught seventh grade science at the intermediate school. Jim retired in June of 2021.
Eric Hartwig
PhD 1986 — Educational Leadership and Policy
Eric began his work as a school psychologist in 1974 and retired as an administrator of pupil service for Marathon County Special Education in 2016. Since that time, he has been an independent consultant and principle trainer on a behavioral health project with Marshfield Clinic/Security Health. The project uses behavioral emotional social traits (or BEST) Universal Screener developed by Eric to help identify health trends while matching BEST practices and suggested interventions for classroom teachers in real time.
Peggy Ebli
BS 1987 — Exercise Physiology
Peggy began her career in athletic training upon graduating and worked as an ATC at Iowa State and at sports medicine clinics with high school outreach in Denver. She then moved into managed care as a project manager, then to a PBM, and today works at Humana, Inc., in the pharmacy division as a business consultant working in clinical programs.
Melissa Harshman
BFA 1987 — Printmaking, Photography
Melissa has work at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta in the exhibition, “When Print Meets Paper,” that runs through May 2023. She was a recipient of the inaugural Arts Lab Fellowship Awardees at the University of Georgia for 2022-23.
Stephanie (Adams) Sobczak
BS 1987 — Physical Education
Stephanie is in a senior project manager role at UW Health, where she has worked since 2016. She fondly recalls her time as a student athletic trainer at UW, after which she attended the University of Oregon as a graduate assistant. She has since obtained her MBA from Edgewood College.
Lisa Konrady Peirson
BS 1988 —Occupational Therapy
Lisa has worked in the area of OT industrial rehabilitation and prevention since 1988. Throughout her career, she has developed three separate outpatient programs in the St. Paul, Minnesota area with her current placement at Minnesota Occupational Health (MOH). She developed four locations for MOH and leads the Work Performance Center team completing work conditioning, FCE’s, work performance tests (new hire tests), job site aalysis, and educational (back/lifting) training.
Liz Mohler
BS 1988 — Rehabilitation Psychology
The Great Resignation is keeping Liz busy as an executive/life coach (PCC), where she passionately supports people to do what they love. She is a core guide for Chief, Inc., a private network to connect and advise women in senior leadership positions across diverse industries. She has two sons, Nick (23) coaches lacrosse in Australia, and Nate (25) is an NFT digital artist/designer/producer — both with very cool Instagram accounts. They took her advice and are doing what they love!
Charles Taylor
PhD 1988 — Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Taylor wrote an award-winning documentary titled, “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance.” The film captures a historical period in Madison’s recent history in which Blacks are leading in so many important areas and are launching so many key initiatives that residents are calling this period a “Black Renaissance.” The film has been picked up by Amazon Prime and will be available for rent or purchase on Vimeo. View the film’s trailer: https://youtu.be/q573viVnmq4
Elizabeth Graser-Thurlow
BSE 1989 — Elementary Education, French
Elizabeth teaches first grade at Normandale Elementary French Immersion School in Edina, Minnesota. She is one of the initial team of teachers who helped start this school. Since obtaining her degree at UW, Elizabeth has taught preschool, 4- and 5-year-old kindergarten, was a recess supervisor, and substituted in almost every grade at her kids’ school for 14 years. Now that her four children are in high school and college, she has chosen to return to teaching French immersion again. Professionally she has been very involved in early childhood education and ECFE advocacy for Minnesota. She helped with the movement of E-12 education at the legislative level and still remains one of the longest-standing members of the District 196 ECFE Advisory Council.
Carolyn M Lazar
BSE 1964 — French and English Education
MA 1990 — Education and Communication Arts
Carolyn taught high school French and English for over 40 years in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Arizona, and retired in 2008. She is now a teacher of conversational French to adults in Houston.
Von Mansfield
BS 1984 — Secondary Education
MS 1990 — Counselor Education
Dr. Mansfield recently retired after 35 years in education, serving his last 21 years as the principal and then superintendent of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School District in south suburban Chicago. His district is a three-time U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award Winning District. He also played on the Badgers football team that defeated then top-ranked Michigan in Camp Randal Stadium in the 1981 season opener. He writes: “Thank you to the School of Education for the inspiration. On, Wisconsin!”
1990s
Jennifer Knight Wykle
BS 1991 — Elementary Education
Jennifer began her career as an elementary teacher and now is a professional development coach for K-12 teachers. She credits UW–Madison School of Education for instilling the essential skills and the growth mindset that have led to a successful career in education. She writes: “Being a collaborative team member and a critical thinker has opened up a variety of opportunities to positively contribute to the field of education.”
Paul Pickhardt
BS 1991 — Education, Science
In addition to his role as professor of biology, Paul is now serving as the dean of the Schilcutt School of Business, Science & Technology at Lakeland University. Despite this new role, Paul and a colleague led students through the seventh iteration of Lakeland’s tropical ecology course in southern Belize this past May. The rigorous course requires students to conduct independent research in a lowland tropical rainforest and it allows participants to explore Belize’s barrier reef.
Karyn Richmond
BA 1992 — Occupational Therapy
Karyn began her career as a school-based occupational therapist. Her education and experience laid the foundation for her current role as district wellness coordinator for the Sun Prairie (Wisconsin) Area School District. She has been in this role since July 2020. Her leadership has resulted in the Sun Prairie Area School District receiving the highest level designation of Platinum Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Council of America.
Tracey (Thome) Sohrweide
MS 1992 — Special Education
Tracey has been an early childhood special education teacher in the Oconto Unified School District for the past 30 years. Her love for children and passion for teaching has encouraged her youngest daughter to continue in her footsteps and attend UW–Madison to pursue an education in rehabilitation psychology and special education.
William Conzemius
MS 1972 — Educational Psychology
MS 1989 — Educational Administration
PhD 1993 — Educational Administration
Bill retired after serving as superintendent for the Verona Area School District. He worked in six Wisconsin school districts throughout his career in education — Poynette, Mauston, Rice Lake, New Glarus, Belleville, and Verona Area. He reports he had “a great run in excellent schools. Now a ‘gentleman’ farmer.”
Mick Miyamoto
PhD 1993 — Education Administration
Mick retired in June after a 42-year career as an educator. The last 37 were in student affairs administration. He is now spending lots of time in the ceramics studio and his focus has shifted to more being rather than doing.
Kristine Gallagher
BS 1991 — Elementary Education
MS 1994 — Curriculum and Instruction
Kristine writes that “after being pushed out of MMSD … after over a year-long harassing supervision,” she began volunteer work with the Urban League’s Schools of Hope Program and became an Orton-Gillingham Practitioner at Madison Children’s Dyslexia Center, as well a certified peer resource specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Health. Kristine also performs stand-up under the stage name MOMic: Grassroots Comedy For The People. Kristine says she finds topical ways to address pressing issues of our most marginalized communities using humor.
Susan Hersh
BS 1994 — Elementary Education
After 12 years in the classroom and 10 years in school libraries, Susan is thrilled to be in her fifth year as the coordinator of the School Library Media Certification program at UW-Milwaukee.
Suzanne Kaufman
BA 1994 — Art
Suzanne began her career animating special effects for Universal and as an animation lead on video games that were awarded the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science. Today, she is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of “All Are Welcome.” In August she came out with her ninth and 10th books: “A Friend for Ghost:” and “All Are Neighbors,” the sequel to “All Are Welcome.” Learn more at: suzannekaufman.com
Christina Miller
MS 1994 — Curriculum and Instruction
Christina Miller (formerly Olson) earned her doctorate in educational leadership from St. John’s University in May of 2021. She continues to be the senior site manager of Jumpstart at St. John’s.
Katy Munson Roede
BA 1994 — Secondary Spanish Education
Katy has served as an educator in Houston for the past 28 years. She began as an English as a second language teacher and has since served as program director and assistant principal. She was a principal for 10 years in two schools. She became a school support officer in the Houston Independent School District. Katy currently serves as the chief of schools in the Aldine Independent School District in Houston.
Paul Rux
PhD 1994 — Administration of Higher Education and Policy Analysis
Paul is retired, happily married, and a loving grandpa to four grandchildren. He still consults. For example, he is an advisor to the Washington Management Institute. He continues to research and publish on education. For example, he has nine titles published by him that are for sale on Amazon.com. His activities have earned him a listing in “Who’s Who in America.” His contact: paulrux@uwalumni.com.
Selena Fox
MS 1995 — Counseling
Selena, who was among the organizers of Earth Day in 1970, continues eco-activism as executive director of Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve and its Circle Cemetery, Wisconsin’s first Green cemetery. She also is serving on the board of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, and the national Faith Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. She does Nature Spirituality networking, writing, podcasting, workshops, and ceremonies.
Lana Collet-Klingenberg
PhD 1996 — Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
Since 2009, Lana has been a faculty member at UW–Whitewater’s College of Education and Professional Studies. She served as chair of the Special Education Department from 2016-18. From 2018-21 she served as interim associate dean and then associate dean. In April of 2022, Lana was appointed interim dean of the college. In addition to campus leadership, Lana is also currently serving as president of the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.
Leah Davis
BS 1996 — Education
Leah began her career as an elementary school teacher. Currently, she serves as a central office school administrator — supervising and supporting a group of K-12 schools.
Nancy Getchell
MS 1989 — Physical Education
PhD 1996 — Kinesiology
Nancy is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology at the University of Delaware, and she was inducted as a Fellow into the National Academy of Kinesiology at the organization’s annual conference in Providence, Rhode Island, in October 2022.
Eva Sandor
MFA 1996 — Art
Eva’s career expansion from visual art to fiction writing continues with her third novel, “Doom’s Daze.” BookView calls it “exciting, action-packed, humorous, inventive, and fun.” Midwest Book Review’s Diane Donovan says it’s a “rollicking wild ride through a vivid fantasy universe” that goes beyond its genre to “offer a high degree of delight to literature readers.” The audiobook version of Eva’s first novel, “Fool’s Proof,” was also released earlier this year. Learn more: evasandor.com
Aaron Blecha
BFA 1997 — Art
Aaron is a children’s book illustrator and author. His touring art exhibition, “Aliens, Zombies & Monsters!” was on display in Manchester, United Kingdom, during the week of Halloween.
Jessa Kinnamon
BS 1997 — Elementary Education
Jessa began her career teaching elementary school in Colorado. After receiving her master’s degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, she moved back to Wisconsin to continue teaching in the Sauk Prairie School District. Recently, Jessa accepted the position of health transformation consultant with Dean Health Plan. Jessa writes: “I am excited to use my skills of active listening and solution-focused interventions to assist others in their wellness journey!”
Paula Kluth
BS 1992 — Special Education
PhD 1998 — Special Education
Paula is an inclusive schooling advocate and consultant. She has written several books about inclusion and most recently penned “Coaster,” a children’s book about a shelter dog with wonderful wheels.
Michael Laviolette
BS 1998 — Physical Therapy
Michael is working at on-site clinics, treating and ergonomic consulting. A recent empty nester whose daughter is a freshman at UW–Madison, and a son is in second year at Michigan Tech.
Steve Rankin
BS 1998 — Occupational Therapy
On June 4, 2022, Steve retired after 23 years in acute care at UW Hospital, specializing in trauma care. He celebrated by riding his bicycle from Seattle to Boston with an international group. He continues to train others in the acute care of patients after traumatic injuries via a two-day seminar.
Gregg Elliott
MA 1999 — Education Administration
Gregg reports that he happily stayed as a physical education teacher and coach after receiving his master’s degree in administration. Gregg writes: “I couldn’t leave my students for a suit and an office!”
2000s
Bret Burlingame
BS 2000 — Kinesiology
Bret was a student-athlete playing football for the Badgers from 1996-00 earning a kinesiology degree in 2000. Upon graduation, he worked in the pharmacy department at UW Hospital, went on to medical school and completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is now PM&R residency program director, electrodiagnostic/musculoskeletal medicine fellowship director, and an assistant professor for Oakland University Medical School.
Margaret Nash
PhD 2000 — Educational Policy Studies
Margaret in 2020 published “Mad River, Marjorie Rowland, and the Quest for LGBTQ Teachers’ Rights” with co-author Karen Graves. Her new article, “Whiskerinos, Orange Queens, and Bedlam at the Dorms: Demarcating Lines of Gender, Class, and Race at Riverside Junior College in the 1930s,” was published this fall in the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education.
Joshua Sledge
MFA 2000 — Art
Joshua has left the public sculpture and decorative metalwork fabrication, and Brooklyn, behind for Minneapolis. He is now a laser tools technician with Trumpf GmbH, helping manufacturers, artists, and fabricators get the most out of their metalworking machinery. Traveling extensively, he has lead his artistic practice to pivot from sculpture to drawing.
Mark Felsheim
BSE 1978 — Social Studies Education
MS 1989 — Educational Leadership
PhD 2001 — Educational Leadership
Mark is officially retired from the Wisconsin Technical College System to move closer to his children. He is tutoring high school students to help them succeed. He writes it’s “exciting to be able to help struggling students succeed.”
Melissa Krueger
BS 2002 — Elementary Education
Melissa started her teaching career 20 years ago teaching her first year in Glendale-Riverhills. She taught seventh and eighth grade alternative education. For the last 19 years, Melissa has taught third through sixth grade in the Waterford Graded School District. She has spent 15 of those years teaching fifth grade. Melissa received her master’s in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in technology, and then went on to get 24 more additional credits. Melissa is on her 20th year teaching fifth grade.
Phillip Wendt
BS 2002 — Occupational Therapy
Phillip began his two-year term as president of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists in October 2022. He is the first male occupational therapist to hold this position in the profession’s 100-year history. His priorities during his term include: evolving the narrative for the purpose and value of occupational therapy, ensuring the board is accountable to CAOT members and stakeholders, and continuing to foster a sense of community and belonging in occupational therapy.
Alana Burny
BS 2003 — Physical Education and Adapted PE
Alana began teaching immediately after graduation and is now the team leader for the adapted physical education program for Portland (Oregon) Public Schools.
Nikola Hobbel
PhD 2003 — Curriculum and Instruction
Nikola and Thandeka K. Chapman (C&I, PhD, 2002) published the second edition of their edited text, “Social Justice Pedagogy Across the Curriculum: The Practice of Freedom,” with Routledge in April 2022. The book also features work by current UW faculty and alumni: Carl A. Grant, Melissa Gibson, Christine E. Sleeter, Lisa W. Loutzenheiser, Jennifer Gore, Adrienne D. Dixson, and Tiffany S. Lee.
Myra Misles-Krhin
PhD 2003 — Educational Administration
Myra is a retired principal who retired in 2015. Over the past seven-plus years, Myra has been working with the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) as a coach for new principals across the state. Myra also works at UW-Oshkosh in the Department of Teaching and Learning as a teacher candidate supervisor. Myra also has been working as a substitute principal in the Oshkosh Schools. Myra writes: “I’m enjoying all three part-time positions in my retirement years!”
Lisa Anderson
MA 2004 — Curriculum and Instruction
Lisa has spent most of her career teaching ESL or German at the college level. After spending two years in Costa Rica and Guatemala with her family, she completed an interpreting program and is now a Spanish medical interpreter at a rural health clinic and a part-time high school English as a second language teacher.
Chih-Chin Chou
PhD 2004 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Chih-Chin has been a university faculty member since graduation. She has taught at the City University of New York-Hunter College, National Institute of Education, Singapore, and University of Arizona. She is currently the program director of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program at the University of South Florida.
Fernando Sanchez
MS 2004 — Counseling Psychology
Fernando earned tenure and promotion to associate professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is currently serving as chair of the English Department and is looking forward to working on his book project during his sabbatical next year.
John Taylor
BS 2004 — Elementary Education
John taught fourth grade at Cathedral School for boys in San Francisco from 2005-17. He and his family then moved to Chicago, where he taught fourth grade at Latin School of Chicago from 2017-22. This year, he moved into the fifth grade math position at Latin.
Kristine Pierick
BA 2005 — Secondary Education, History
Kristine has been working as an instructional designer for the past 17 years. Currently she works for UW Extended Campus with UW faculty throughout the state of Wisconsin creating degree completion courses for traditional and non-traditional students.
Paola Morantes-Villalobos
BA 2006 — Elementary Education
Paola has been an educator for 16 years and was recently tenured in the Osseo School District in Minnesota. She is currently a mentor in the district’s Teachers of Color Mentor Program, whose mission is to support, retain, and inspire probationary educators of color in the teaching profession. Paola was also recently honored at the National Lambda Theta Alpha Convention with the 2022 Alumnae of the Year award. It was awarded to her for exemplifying the organization’s principles and serving her community.
Stephanie Beckman
BS 2008 — World Languages
Stephanie began their career teaching English in Japan at Matsudo Kokusai Koutougakkou and French, English, and ESL for the Madison Metropolitan School District. They research organizational peace and peace education at Gimnasio Moderno in Bogotá, Colombia, and serve as the director of student and early career membership for the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict & Violence. They teach at Madison College and serve as the School of Academic Advancement ‘s equity and inclusion lead.
Regina Chagolla
BS 2008 — Education
Regina is a proud alumni recipient of the Posse Foundation Scholarship and a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. She has a master’s degree in education from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2010. She has worked at the Lawrence Hall of Science and is currently a teacher at Berkeley Unified School District, as well as the vice president of Berkeley Federation of Teachers, a union serving over 800 members. Regina also serves as a school board trustee for Emery Unified.
Erin Arango-Escalante
BSE 2003 — Special Education
MS 2009 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Erin was appointed in 2019 to lead Wisconsin’s early care and education system, and recently became a 2022 Ascend Fellow with The Aspen Institute.
Jason LeMay
MS 2009 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Jason began his career in education as an English teacher before transitioning to the role of high school principal. Since then, Jason has become the district administrator of the Pardeeville Area School District and is currently working on his PhD at UW-Madison in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Yaribel Rodriguez
BS 2009 — Elementary Education
Yaribel is currently the director of urban leadership at the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators. In her role, she works with school and district leaders in creating systems of equity and excellence in schools to disrupt pervasive opportunity/achievement gaps through professional learning, coaching, and feedback. Yaribel is currently pursuing a PhD through the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis’ Wisconsin Idea Executive PhD cohort.
2010s
Molly Carlson
PhD 2010 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Dr. Molly Carlson, whose career path started at major research universities (including UW-Madison), has found her higher education home at the community college level. She was recently named associate vice president of continuing education and workforce development at Frederick (Maryland) Community College.
Raul Leon
PhD 2010 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Raul returned to UW-Madison after being appointed in June 2022 as assistant vice provost for student engagement and scholarship programs. Raul also is serving as executive director of the Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program. In October of 2022 he was selected by Madison365 as one of “Wisconsin’s Most Influential Latino Leaders.”
Tara Tindall
MS 2010 — Curriculum and Instruction
Tara attained her BA in history in 1992. In 2006, she earned her K-8 teacher certification. She has an MS in curriculum and instruction literacy, is a certified K-12 reading teacher and reading Specialist. Presently, Tara works for the Madison Metropolitan School District as the Native American Teacher Leader.
Joel Amidon
BSE 2002 — Math Education
MS 2006 — Educational Psychology
PhD 2011 — Curriculum and Instruction
Joel began his career as a high school mathematics teacher. Today he is an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Mississippi. He also hosts/co-hosts several podcasts on the improvement of teaching (“Amidon Planet,” “Road to Better Teaching,” and “Teaching Math Teaching”). He also serves in leadership for the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators and the Mississippi Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators.
Megan (Banik) Gerl
MS 2011 — Rehabilitation Counseling
After four years of leading mental health and education programming at VPI, Inc., in Appleton, Wisconsin, Megan has been promoted to vice president of community programs at VPI, Inc.
Joel Spiess
MS 2011 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Joel is now the inaugural director of student scholarships at the UW–Milwaukee, leading the institution’s central scholarship office and collaborating with deans, department heads, and administrative units to optimize recruitment and retention efforts via institutional and philanthropic giving.
Jordan Listenbee
BS 2012 — Secondary Education, Social Studies
Began as a TFA corps member, teaching kindergarten and second grade in Washington D.C., then transitioned to working with TRIO and first-generation college access programs in Cleveland. Currently, Jordan is a teacher recruiter for Chicago Public Schools and works specifically with recruitment for CPS’s Southside and Westside schools.
Lindsey DeFlorian
MS 2014 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Lindsey began her career at Meriter Hospital on the adult psychiatric unit as a mental health specialist. After four years, she decided to work in community based case management. She did community based care for three years before deciding to pursue her real estate license in residential real estate. She’s been surprised at how many of her former job qualities are still relevant in the real estate world. Working with people remains the best part of her job, and learning about homes is a great bonus.
Maurice Boothe Jr.
BA 2015 — Spanish Education
Maurice left Houston where he was teaching high school Spanish and computer science to attend New York University. He recently earned his master’s degree in digital media design for learning and has continued at NYU with starting a PhD in educational communication & technology. He currently does instructional design work at NYU’s College of Nursing.
Marla Delgado-Guerrero
PhD 2016 — Counseling Psychology
Dr. Marla Delgado-Guerrero was recently appointed as the next director of UW–Madison’s Posse program. A three-time Badger, Marla earned her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer journalism, her certificate in Chican@ and Latin@ studies, her MS in counseling, and her PhD in counseling psychology. She is excited to be coming “home” to the institution that provided her the space to learn, grow, develop her identity, and forge a path for success.
Grace van Meurer
BFA 2016 — Art, Graphic Design
Grace teamed up with her husband, Michael van Meurer, in January 2022 to create Studio van M, a graphic design studio. The studio specializes in branding, website design and development, and creative graphic design. Notable clients include: the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, the Village Inn, Philip Nimmo Design, and the Escobedo Group. The couple met at UW-Madison in 2012 while running cross country and track for the Badgers.
Colin Kenny
BS 2017 — Kinesiology, Exercise and Movement Science
Colin graduated from UW-Madison and commissioned as an Army second lieutenant through the Badger Battalion Army ROTC program on the same day in 2017. Since then, he has worked full-time for the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In the past year, Colin returned from a nine-month overseas deployment serving as a medical operations officer at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. He has recently received a promotion to the rank of captain and now works as an ROTC officer recruiter in Madison.
Kirk Anderson
PhD 2018 — Educational Policy Studies
Kirk is an assistant professor of educational studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is currently conducting critical participatory action research on trauma-informed pedagogy and co-leads workshops across the country on trauma-informed teaching and learning with his partner, Rebecca.
Laura Hamman-Ortiz
PhD 2018 — Curriculum and Instruction
Since graduating, Laura has worked at three institutions and has led professional development workshops for practicing teachers around the country (and in Chile). She is currently an assistant professor of TESOL and bilingual education at the University of Rhode Island.
Nicole Heimark
BS 2019 — Kinesiology, Athletic Training
Nicole went on to get her MS in kinesiology with an emphasis on athletic training at Indiana University, where she worked with the ROTC programs as a graduate assistant athletic trainer until graduation in 2021. She then accepted a position with Leidos as an athletic trainer, where she supports both the Naval Health Research Center and the School of Infantry-West in a dual research and clinical role.
Rebecca Lustig
BS 2020 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Rebecca is currently in her second year of pursuing a doctorate of clinical psychology at Adler University in Chicago.
Del Mitchell
BFA 2020 — Fine Arts
Del started his post grad as a shipper with Gilson, sending out medical and lab supplies to help fight the pandemic. Today, he is halfway through a tattoo apprenticeship at Art & Soul in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
Henry Rothenberg
MS 2020 — Curriculum and Instruction
Henry is in his third year of teaching science at a high school in the west suburbs of Chicago.
Dorie Weller
BS 2020 — Education Studies
Dorie graduated in December 2022 with an MA in political science from California State University Long Beach. Dorie was working as a teaching assistant at the university and participating in a teaching practicum at a local community college. Dorie also was an intern at the Department of Labor and will stay with the agency upon graduation.
Eric Dormoh
MS 2021 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Following graduation Eric has been working at Wallin Education Partners as a scholar advisor. He also serves on the University YMCA Board at the University of Minnesota,Twin Cities.
Timothy Jansky
PhD 2021 — Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Jansky is an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University. He is part of the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership, where he works with undergraduate preservice teachers.
Kirsten Kohlmeyer
OTD 2021 — Occupational Therapy
Kirsten began her career as an occupational therapist in physical rehabilitation. Today she is the director of assistive technology (AT) for Redwood Literacy and Redwood Schools. Since obtaining her post-professional doctorate in 2021, Kirsten has presented and published her doctoral research and other AT presentations at several national-level conferences. Kirsten says she misses being a UW student. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, drawing, and reading.
Brett Nachman
MS 2017 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
PhD 2021 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Brett is a first-year, tenure-track assistant professor of adult and lifelong learning at the University of Arkansas. He is co-PI on a new national study exploring autistic undergraduate college student success. He and study PI Bradley E. Cox (Florida State University) were awarded a $90,000 national grant from The FAR Fund to conduct this research, featuring a survey that enables autistic students’ definitions of success to surface. To participate and/or learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/3MC7JkP
Steven Pegelow
MS 2021 — Curriculum and Instruction
Steven is currently working as an English Language Fellow for the U.S. Department of State and Georgetown University, which is his dream job. His assignment is in Thailand where he teaches English education majors and travels around the country conducting trainings, leading workshops and speaking at TESOL conferences. He just finished training the incoming Fulbright English Teaching Assistants to Thailand.
Lauren Schmitt
BS 2021 — Education Studies
Lauren is a graduate student at UW–Madison pursuing a master’s through the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in higher education.
Joseph Schubert
BSE 2021 — Elementary Education
Joe began his second year as a middle school mathematics and religion teacher at a Catholic school in Milwaukee. He also coaches its basketball and volleyball teams and sings in the parish choir.
Jordan Smith
BS 2021 — Kinesiology, Exercise and Movement Science
Jordan worked for 15 months as a clinical exercise physiologist post-graduation and is currently pursuing an MHA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Kirsten Storhoff
BS 2021 — Rehabilitation Psychology, Special Education
Kirsten got her emergency license for teaching special education and is in her second year teaching. She also uses the rehabilitation psychology degree to be a Link Crew (freshman mentor program) coordinator and a Sources of Strength (mental health peer support group) advisor. She also coaches basketball and volleyball at a high school level.
Zainab “Zee” Akanni
BS 2022 — Health Promotion and Health Equity
After graduating in May 2022, Zee is pursuing her master’s at New York University. She studies in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at NYU Steinhardt and intends to graduate in May 2024. She also works as a graduate assistant at NYU’s Center for Multicultural Education & Programs as a part of her academic program. After graduating from NYU, she hopes to pursue a graduate certificate in sports administration and work in the NCAA and/or the NBA.
Olivia Bratzke
BS 2022 — Art
Olivia is still continuing her education path getting her master’s in creative enterprise and leadership through the Wisconsin School of Business. Her undergraduate degree helped her land an internship with the Wisconsin Unions as a facilities intern, where she helps to produce Badger Bash stage shows, and is helping with event planning and graphics.
Taylor Dorlack
PhD 2022 — Educational Psychology
Taylor received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from UW–Madison. Today she is a postdoctoral psychology fellow and instructor with the Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment, and Services (AARTS) Center at Rush University in Chicago.
Cecilia Grinis
MS 2022 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Cecilia is nearing her first work anniversary as the career development coordinator at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. She is also celebrating her recent engagement with a CALS alumnus, Noah Fredel, whom she met while pursuing her undergraduate degree at UW-Madison! The couple plans to wed in the summer of 2024.
Kayleigh Guertin
BS 2022 — Rehabilitation Psychology
Kayleigh is continuing her education at Rutgers University in the occupational therapy doctorate program. She looks forward to graduating in 2025, when she hopes to work in pediatrics.
Annika Ide
BS 2022 — Graphic Design
Annika moved to San Francisco after graduation last spring with one of her fellow Badger graduates and started her job as a graphic designer at an advertising agency downtown. She’s loving exploring California and creating for an awesome agency.
Alexandra Lakind
PhD 2022 — Curriculum and Instruction
Alexandra is working as the campaign senior research associate at Caring Across Generations as a Leading Edge Fellow with the American Council of Learned Societies. Alexandra is also working on several collaborative projects, including with the Low Carbon Research Methods Group at Trent University and with the Reproductive Sociology Research Group at University of Cambridge.
Alex Miller
BS 2022 — Exercise and Movement Science
Alex is currently working in Michael Joyner’s, M.D., Human and Integrative Physiology Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic. He has been assisting with clinical and translational research focusing on the role of the cardiovascular system in disease, exercise, hypoxia, standing up, and blood loss. He has aspirations to pursue a career in academic medicine.
Alex Seidenstricker
MS 2022 — Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
As a career advisor for the School of Human Ecology, Alex serves students majoring in consumer behavior and marketplace studies, which is the fastest growing major in SoHE. Alex also teaches one section of Inter-HE 202: Career & Leadership Development course and serves as a liaison to SoHE’s student organizations and student leaders by providing leadership development and training, as well as helping connect student organizations to professional organizations, employers, and alumni.
Alexandria Viegut
PhD 2022 — Educational Psychology
Alex started a postdoctoral researcher position at the University of Delaware. She is working on an NSF-funded research study about children’s early fractions learning.