From projects with local governments and research in neuroscience labs to nursing clinicals and autonomous vehicle competitions, University of Wisconsin–Madison students are taking their learning outside of the lecture hall.
UniverCity Alliance Scholar Maggie Claussen was one of four students who highlighted their unique experiences to the Board of Regents Education Committee on Feb. 5.
Claussen, a junior double majoring in information science and political science with certificates in educational policy studies and digital studies, and a fellow scholar partnered with the City of Beaver Dam to support the city’s human resources department. They were connected with the project through the UniverCity Alliance Scholars Program.
“We wrote 76 job descriptions, which really got (Beaver Dam) prepared to hire that HR specialist that they needed,” Claussen said.
As a part of Claussen’s project, she met with city staff and traveled to Beaver Dam to learn more about the organization.
“This was a really valuable experience because we as students had a lot to learn from the local government as well as the local government valued our perspectives as students hearing what we do in the classroom every day,” said Claussen, specifically mentioning rising artificial intelligence and political concerns. “It was pretty interesting to have that experience and to really get in touch with a local community on the ground.”
The scholarship program is generously supported by the Division of Continuing Studies and UW alumni John Holton, Pat Thiele, Colleen Goggins, John Nelson, Bill and Karen Monfre, John Bauman, Jane Mandula, Curt Fuszard, and others.
UCA Scholars also meet individually with Amy Gangl, director of undergraduate studies for the Department of Political Science, and Emmeline Prattke, an advisor at SuccessWorks, who provide one-on-one guidance and career mentoring. UniverCity Alliance staff provide expertise in connecting with local government staff and troubleshooting challenges.
These types of experiences invite students to be “full members of our campus community and to take part in the mission of our leading research university,” John Zumbrunnen, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said during the panel.
“The educational mission and the experiences of these students and thousands of others on our campus intertwines with the research mission and with our longstanding deeply rooted commitment to serve the world through the Wisconsin Idea of engagement and outreach,” Zumbrunnen said.
Zumbrunnen moderated the panel, which also included the following students:
- Brandon Kreger, majoring in nursing
- Grace Benish, majoring in neurobiology
- Joshua Clark, majoring in mechanical engineering with a certificate in business
“Traditional course-based learning in the classroom is a foundational aspect of the educational experience we offer students at UW–Madison,” Zumbrunnen said. “It also is – and I believe in the future it will become even more of – a part of that education for our students to learn in a variety of ways far beyond the four walls of any classroom.”
—Abigail Becker