The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.
Following is a Q&A with Nate Donovan, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Educational Policy Studies, Economics, and History and graduating in spring 2026.
Where are you from, and how did you become interested in pursuing a degree in this field? I am from the Milwaukee area and hope to pursue teaching or academic advising. I became interested in this degree and its pathways by learning about all the job opportunities that are behind the scenes in education, like academic advising. Teaching has always been one of my interests as my mom was a substitute teacher at my elementary school.
How did you decide that you wanted to become at UW–Madison Badger? Originally I wanted to move away from home and go to a college near the coast. I only applied to UW–Madison because all other schools (I applied to) were more than five hours away. Once I got accepted, I visited the campus. After attending the Big 10 UW basketball game against Purdue in 2022, I decided to accept my offer to become a Badger.
What has been your most meaningful experience with the Educational Policy Studies program? My most meaningful experience with the Educational Policy Studies (EPS) program has been learning about all of my instructors’ research and developing theories and ideas through their own findings. Many of the instructors are renowned and share a lot of their own research and passions to connect with students. Learning and interacting with the sources of information is an opportunity I do not take lightly because of the passion and integrity behind the work. Being able to connect with these professors and instructors on a daily basis has been a highlight of my overall career!
What class or professor has had the greatest impact on you, and why? EdPol 550: Philosophy of Moral Education with David O’Brien was one of the courses that had the greatest impact on my education. Professor O’Brien’s humility and authentic curiosity is shown within his own research and our weekly conversations. He also brought light to all of the comments and ideas students had. With the course material, the in-depth and controversial topics we covered brought new ideologies to my own mind. Learning about indoctrination, reception to information, and many other psychological puzzles revolving around the topic of moral education made me question the best approaches on how to teach in the future, as well as learn how to be receptive to being a student now.
I don’t think I would be able to complete this question without mentioning Aaron Aguilar and his teaching of EdPol 123: Technology and Education. Aaron engaged with many current conversations about the technology industry and connected with all of his students. Aaron and I are still in contact as we help each other with tasks, thoughts on each other’s papers and research, as well as catch up personally over coffee.
What are your future goals or plans? My future goals are to teach elementary school students or work in higher education advising!
Anything else you value about the School of Education or your program that you’d like to share with others who are considering it? The opportunities the School of Education has to offer are what I have valued the most! Through my ambassadorship job in the EPS office, I was able to spearhead the initiative and execution of the School of Education’s first student organization fair. This is one of my largest achievements within the school and one I am most proud of.
Do you have any tips for students thinking about how to maximize their experience? I have talked on admitted students panels and given tips to students. I always say, “Do all that you can.” The university and School of Education have more to offer than anyone would expect, so keep doing more. I have had over five different majors and six different jobs. Now I have settled on three majors and four jobs.
Can you tell us about a time when an academic advisor helped you? One academic advisor that I look up to is Jim Graettinger. He works for the History Department and is now my supervisor, as I am a peer advisor for the History Department. He has guided me through career advancements and future opportunities. He and I are very similar, so it is fun for us to bounce ideas and future endeavors together — we enjoy many of the same things.
Have you participated in any internship/work experience, research, or study abroad program? What did you participate in and could you talk a bit more about those experiences? In my time in the School of Education, I have worked as an EPS ambassador, a peer academic advisor for the History department, and a student organization fair intern, where I coordinate and plan the UW student org fair. Outside of the university I have been a bartender. Currently, I am an afterschool teacher at an independent K–8 school in Madison.
Anything else that’s important to you about yourself or your studies or anything else? Through my four years at UW–Madison, I will have completed multiple jobs, three majors, and a certificate in leadership. All of these opportunities have been possible because of this university. I have loved it through all the highs and lows!