La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison

09/03/2026

19% of Americans say they can never trust the government while only 18% say they can trust the federal government to do what is right all or most of the time, according to the Marquette Law School. At La Follette, we're committed to connecting Wisconsinites on the issues that matter to them.

One way we do this is through our biennial Main Street Agenda project, and we are excited to debut two new efforts this year.

Susan Yackee's recent piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outlines the 2026 Main Street Agenda that will take La Follette across the state to promote policy conversations, counter polarization and rebuild institutional trust.

🔗 Read it here: https://buff.ly/mrgK9yC

09/01/2026

The La Follette School is excited to welcome three new faculty members this fall. Michael Powell, Katherine Richard, and Sarah Strochak will be joining La Follette as assistant professors.

This fall, they'll be teaching PA 874: Policymaking Process, PA 881: Cost-Benefit Analysis, and PA 818: Introduction to Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis.

Stay tuned as we highlight each of our new faculty members during the semester.

🔗 Read more about their research: https://buff.ly/5A2Lq78

08/31/2026

After Susan Yackee's transformative tenure, Professor J. Michael Collins will serve as the next director of the La Follette School beginning January 1, 2027. Susan Yackee is stepping down from her leadership role after serving as director for the La Follette School since 2018.

"Susan’s leadership over the past decade has been nothing short of transformative, leaving enormous shoes to fill," Collins said. "I am deeply honored to step into this role and look forward to working alongside our extraordinary faculty, staff, students, and alumni as we begin this next chapter."

🔗 Read about Yackee's tenure and what's to come: https://buff.ly/RnRlJzg

08/20/2026

Join us for "The Data Center Challenge: Weighing Community Concerns with Growth Opportunities," a Policy in a Pub event held in partnership with the Wisconsin Policy Forum!

The event will begin with a brief presentation from the forum on their recent research on data centers in Wisconsin, followed by panelist insights. Panelists include: Maggie Brickerman, president, Wisconsin Technology Council; Jason Delborne, La Follette School Associate Professor; state Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay; and state Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers.

The event will be held on September 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pyle Center and includes networking time and a Q&A from our audience. Registration is required.

🔗 Register today: https://buff.ly/IYQil23

08/20/2026

Our popular Policy in a Pub event is coming to Madison on Sept. 16!

In partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison, we're excited to present: "The Data Center Challenge: Weighing Community Concerns with Growth Opportunities."

This event will begin with a brief overview of the Forum's research on data centers.

Then we’ll hear insights from our panelists: Maggie Brickerman, president, Wisconsin Technology Council; Jason Delborne, associate professor, La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison; State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin; and Representative Shae Sortwell.

This event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Pyle Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As always, we’ll leave plenty of time for Q&A from our audience. In addition to the policy discussion, appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

Registration is free, but required for this event. Sign up today at the link in the comments!

07/22/2026

In July, Graduate Program Manager Mo O’Connor retired after an impressive student-centered career that included time as a high school teacher and 25 years advising students across multiple UW–Madison departments. She joined La Follette in 2017 and advised hundreds of La Follette students during her time with the school.

"While the settings changed, the common thread was always students. I feel lucky to have spent nearly three decades helping students navigate opportunities, challenges, and transitions, and I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend my professional life," she said.

🔗 Read our Q&A with Mo: https://buff.ly/NbQOQFn

07/15/2026

07/13/2026

🚨🚨 The deadline is approaching to honor the best of Wisconsin's public sector!

Through July 31, we're accepting nominations for our Salute to Local Government awards (see link in comments). They honor excellence in local and state government, school districts and their employees across Wisconsin.

Salute award categories recognize outstanding performance by local governments and school districts for: innovative problem-solving, intergovernmental cooperation, advancing equity, or private-public cooperation.

In partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison, we're excited to recognize excellence in innovation and/or management in state government. We also recognize public sector workers for individual excellence and as leader of the future.

YOU CAN HELP to recognize outstanding public servants across Wisconsin by offering your own Salute nominations -- and by spreading the word to others.

06/30/2026

A $30 million gift will create a new home for the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

06/25/2026

This semester, La Follette capstone students partnered with Madison Schools - MMSD to create a proposal for the upcoming statewide law restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools, and their research could guide schools across the state.

"It was exciting to work on the cutting edge of school policy with MMSD, which is at the forefront of this policymaking process in Wisconsin," said Katie Campbell, one of the students who worked on the project.

🔗 Read more about their project and how it's helping schools navigate the new law: https://buff.ly/VvlOZXE