From creating a publicly-searchable database to helping a city become more walkable, UniverCity Alliance’s inaugural class of scholars are supporting local governments across Wisconsin.
UniverCity Alliance (UCA) launched its Scholars Program in Fall 2023 with nine students ranging from undergraduate juniors to PhD students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This cohort-based program builds on UCA’s hallmark program UniverCity Year (UCY), which provides students opportunities to work with local governments within a course.
“The UCA Scholars Program provides students with an additional opportunity to pursue community-based projects and support priorities identified by local leaders around Wisconsin,” UCA Managing Director Gavin Luter said. “We are excited to offer enhanced learning experiences to more students in a way that continues meeting the needs of our community partners.”
During the course of the Fall 2023 semester, these nine students will work on an individual project for one of UCY’s partner communities. Upon completion of the project, the students will receive $1,500 scholarships that were generously provided through the philanthropy of UW alumni John Holton, Pat Thiele, Colleen Goggins, John Nelson, Bill and Karen Monfre, John Bauman, and Curt Fuszard, and others.
“UniverCity helps connect students to serve the needs of our state municipalities. UW is a resource and economic engine critical to our state,” said Karen and Bill Monfre, two supporters of the new program. “UniverCity is a bridge to the next generation of servant leaders.”
The Scholars Program sought students from diverse academic backgrounds to meet the varied needs of local governments. For example, Samuel Adeapin, a Nelson Institute graduate student in the Environmental Observation & Informatics (EOI) Master of Science program, is using his background in GIS to support the city of Madison in creating a publicly-searchable database for 911 calls of service.
“I am eager to join the UniverCity Alliance Scholars Program and gain skills and experiences that will help me achieve my career goals,” Adeapin said. “I look forward to using my knowledge and creativity to work on a real-world project that will make a positive difference for a Wisconsin community and embody the Wisconsin Idea.”
Another Nelson Institute graduate student, Pearly Wong, is partnering with the city of Milton on a project to involve more youth in the structure of local government.
“I am excited to be able to collaborate with others in the community and to apply my skills for making a difference!” Wong said.
Several of the scholars have unique ties to local government, contributing to their interest in this program. UW–Madison junior Sam Kaufmann, who is studying political science and geography, is a village trustee on the Waunakee Village Board.
UCY partnered with Waunakee from 2020-23 on 17 projects that addressed Waunakee’s relationship with the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, local ordinances, Waunakee’s employment practices, housing, education, and mental health.
“From being a local elected official that has commissioned successful UniverCity projects for our community during my tenure, I know what a fantastic program it is using student knowledge to aid in solving key issues and problems,” Kaufmann said. “I am excited to now sit on the other side of the table and use my own perspective in helping a different Wisconsin community.”
Not only did Anna Kleiber, a UW–Madison junior, grow up in Wausau, she also worked for the city’s Department of Public Works over the past two summers and learned about city infrastructure and services to maintain roads and sidewalks. Now, she will be working with the city on a pedestrian study as a part of her participation in the Scholars Program.
“I wanted to use the knowledge and hands-on experience I learned from my time working for (the Wausau Department of Public Works) to give back to my community and work on something I am passionate about,” Kleiber said. “With my gained knowledge and familiarity with Wausau, I am thrilled to work on this project and care deeply about the work I will be doing.”
In their own words
“I’m excited to apply what I’ve been learning in my Political Science classes to Wisconsin communities! I’m hoping to gain first-hand experience in the field and better understand what I’d like to do in my future career.” —Melina Nguyen
“I am excited to be able to collaborate with others in the community and to apply my skills for making a difference!” —Pearly Wong
“I am eager to join the UniverCity Alliance Scholars program and gain skills and experiences that will help me achieve my career goals. I look forward to using my knowledge and creativity to work on a real-world project that will make a positive difference for a Wisconsin community and embody the Wisconsin Idea.” —Samuel Adeapin
“I am excited to be a part of the UCA Scholars Program to meet new people with similar interests as myself, learn planning techniques of Wisconsin municipalities, and to provide some of my personal input into my cohort and project assignment.” —Lily Yalowitz
“I’m excited to be a part of the UCA Scholars Program because I know it will allow me to connect with communities outside of the academic bubble and assist with the real issues that they are facing.” —Elisabeth Bykowski
“I am excited to be a part of the UCA Scholars Program so I can find ways to implement what I’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world setting.” —Anna Kleiber
“From the climate crisis to accelerating socioeconomic disparities, it’s critical that we rethink the way we are designating land use and designing urban spaces. The UCA Scholars Program gives me the opportunities to work with real people in local communities to do just that.” —Shealynn Wegner
“I am eager to learn about, contribute to, and gain experience in Wisconsin local governance as preparation for a public service career.” —Ned Littlefield
“From being a local elected official that has commissioned successful UniverCity projects for our community during my tenure, I know what a fantastic program it is using student knowledge to aid in solving key issues and problems. I am excited to now sit on the other side of the table and use my own perspective in helping a different Wisconsin community.” —Sam Kaufmann
This story was originally published in The Commons, a publication of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Read the full October edition, and view the web version or previous editions from the “News” tab on the Nelson Institute website.
—Abigail Becker