On Dec. 18, UW–Madison will celebrate its Winter 2022 Commencement. We reached out to a few of our students who are graduating from programs in the School of Education to learn about their favorite UW–Madison memories and future plans. Following is a Q&A with Lauren Zepp, who is graduating with a PhD in special education.
Where are you from, and what made you choose UW–Madison?
I earned an MS in special education from UW–Madison in 2012. I chose to come back for my doctorate because I was offered a fellowship with Dr. Melinda Leko to focus on special education teacher preparation.
Why did you decide to pursue graduate studies?
I decided to pursue a doctorate in special education because I believe in high-quality, equitable education for disabled students and that reading is a human right. During my years in the field, I saw the impact special educators can have, and I wanted to understand how teachers learn about reading instruction. I received a fellowship through Project SITE, which focused specifically on teacher education with funding from the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. This allowed me to explore my areas of interest and helped me to establish a research agenda that seeks to improve reading outcomes for disabled students.
Tell us about your research or your research interests.
My research agenda has two primary strands. First, my research focuses on preparing teachers to provide reading instruction, specifically ensuring that educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach disabled students to read. My preliminary and dissertation studies focused on using multimedia instructional modalities to more effectively prepare educators to teach reading. Second, I am interested in disability as a valued identity and part of human diversity. Specifically, I am interested in disability representation in literature, and how curriculum and instruction can incorporate more disabled voices.
What was your most meaningful experience at UW–Madison?
My most meaningful experience in the doctoral program was accepting my identity as a disabled person and learning to advocate for myself. This has helped me to understand myself more deeply, to think differently about access for all, and ultimately helped me to become a stronger advocate and better instructor.
What class or professor had the greatest impact on you, and why?
I am beyond grateful to Dr. Melinda Leko and Dr. Beverly Trezek for their support and guidance throughout the doctoral program. Both approach their work with a dedication and commitment to the field that is evident in their scholarship and teaching. Not only did they prepare me for success as an early career scholar, but they embody the kind of educator I want to be through their kindness, compassion, and high expectations.
"My most meaningful experience in the doctoral program was accepting my identity as a disabled person and learning to advocate for myself. This has helped me to understand myself more deeply, to think differently about access for all, and ultimately helped me to become a stronger advocate and better instructor."
Did you participate in any study abroad programs, internship programs, or community activities? If yes, what were your experiences like?
I received the Alexa Posny Scholarship in the summer of 2021, which allowed me to intern with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Interning with these organizations helped me to better understand federal education policy and taught me about resources for teacher preparation. Through this internship, I founded a national organization for doctoral students with funding from OSEP called OSEP Scholars toward the goal of building community amongst doctoral students from across the nation.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started your graduate studies?
My graduate studies helped me understand myself in new ways, but I wish I had known some of these things before I began the doctoral program. My first year was very challenging because I did not know how to advocate for my access needs. I wish I had reached out to the McBurney Center earlier in my program because their support was invaluable.
What’s next for you? What are your plans for the future?
I accepted a position as an assistant professor of special education at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. I am thrilled to join an inclusive campus and to continue my work preparing educators to teach reading to disabled students through the undergraduate program and graduate certificate in dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities.
You’re a UW–Madison expert now. What’s one thing every Badger should experience before they graduate?
I loved studying in the MERIT Library! If you need a cozy spot for doing homework, I recommend it.