Catherine Reiland, Director of the Wisconsin Idea Seminar and Assistant Vice Provost
creiland@wisc.edu / 608-262-0380
Catherine Reiland designs and implements the annual Wisconsin Idea Seminar, a long-standing faculty and staff development program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Wisconsin Idea has informed, inspired and mobilized much of her work on campus, and for over a decade she has directed programming that celebrates and forwards the valuable contributions the University of Wisconsin makes to local communities and the world. She is attentive to the deep legacy of the Wisconsin Idea and continually seeks out collaborative ways to facilitate the exchange of ideas between people on and off campus.
Catherine is a UW-Madison alumna with a master’s degree from New York University. Her academic interests include tourist productions, visual cultures, photography, performance studies, museum studies, and memory. Read a short 2016 interview with Catherine here.
Rachel Niles, Administrative Assistant
wis@provost.wisc.edu / 608-890-3275
Rachel Niles provides administrative and planning assistance to the Wisconsin Idea Seminar and travels on the tour for logistical support. Her primary role on campus is as an executive assistant in the Office of the Provost. Rachel enjoys reading, live music, art making, and cross-country skiing.
Kelly Copolo, Administrative Assistant
wis@provost.wisc.edu / 608-890-0194
Kelly Copolo assists with planning the Wisconsin Idea Seminar and travels with the group in May to provide support. Her primary role on campus is an academic program specialist in the Division for Teaching and Learning. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, going on hikes with her dog, and trying new recipes.