Nine University of Wisconsin–Madison students, ranging from undergraduate to PhD students across a range of academic disciplines, are applying their skills to help address local priorities in Wisconsin communities during the Fall 2024 semester.
As a part of the UniverCity Alliance Scholars Program’s second cohort, they are matched with five communities across the state – including the cities of Black River Falls and Waupaca, Iowa County, Village of DeForest, and South Madison – and are working on projects address affordable housing, AI, shared services, sustainability, and language inclusivity. They were drawn to the program from a shared desire to help solve practical challenges through their scholarship.
“I wanted to join the UniverCity Alliance Scholars program because of the unique opportunity to contribute back to the Wisconsin communities that have raised me,” said junior Miguel Garcia. “Wisconsin is uniquely situated with the mix of urban, rural, and diverse communities that require specific projects that are tailored to the community’s need.”
Garcia, who is majoring in biology, was born and raised in southern Wisconsin and has focused on pediatric hospital systems research and the process of interactions between caregiver and the health care team during his undergraduate studies.
During the Fall 2024 semester, the scholars will work on an individual project for one of UCY’s partner communities. 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 is an exciting opportunity to not only offer enhanced learning experiences to more students, but also continue meeting the needs of our community partners in new ways,” UCA Managing Director Gavin Luter said.
After completing their projects, each student will receive a $1,500 scholarship that is generously provided through the philanthropy of UW alumni John Holton, Pat Thiele, Colleen Goggins, John Nelson, Bill and Karen Monfre, John Bauman, 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 Scholars Program. “UniverCity is a bridge to the next generation of servant leaders.”
In addition to supporting Wisconsin communities, the scholars are motivated by a range of academic interests, including sustainability, policymaking, and land use.
Junior Julia Fechner, who is majoring in community and environmental sociology and landscape and urban studies, is passionate about the environment and the importance that sustainable development is to the future of communities.
Carolyn Shumaker, a senior majoring in landscape and urban studies and people-environment geography, hopes to better understand sustainability and urban planning initiatives within local government and the impact local government has on its community. Similarly, junior Nate Dancer, who is majoring in landscape and urban studies and human geography, wants to be an “active citizen in helping create a sustainable urban future” in Wisconsin communities.
Muaz Salem, a junior majoring in engineering mechanics, hopes to gain practical insights at the intersection of public policy and community wellbeing.
“My aspiration is to explore avenues through which I can influence policy formulation and implementation, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for both students and community members,” Salem said. “By participating in this program, I aim to contribute constructively to discussions and initiatives aimed at fostering positive change within the university environment and the broader Madison community.”
Other students are excited to work on community challenges that also align with their research interests. Samto Wongso, a PhD student studying geography and urban and regional planning, is looking forward to learning more about what planning challenges local communities in Wisconsin are facing.
“My experience being inside the higher education bubble over the last few years has shown me that it can be tempting to focus research efforts to far away locations where planning issues are the most pressing or obvious, but neglecting similar issues at smaller scales in local areas,” Wongso said.
Wongso is interested in how different communities envision, plan, and regulate their land uses in addition to the development patterns resulting from the planning process and the sustainability and livability aspects of those patterns. He is also interested in the applications of GIS in regional planning, active modes of mobility like biking and walking, and green space planning.
Likewise, Information School PhD student Yaxuan Yin looks forward to observing “how research can be effectively translated into actionable solutions” that address local issues. Yin is also looking forward to collaborating with like-minded scholars.
“I hope to learn how to navigate the complexities of community dynamics and policy-making processes, which will be invaluable for my future career in social computing and information equity,” Yin said.
Sophomore Amelia Alvarez, who is majoring in political science, and senior Mandeep Kaleka, majoring in political science and legal studies, are both interested in learning more about city politics and the inner workings of local government.
“I am excited about this hands-on learning opportunity in order to apply the skills I have learned at UW–Madison,” Kaleka said. “This experience will not only enhance my academic learning but also develop skills and insights that I need to tackle real-world challenges.”
—Abigail Becker