Reflections from the Wisconsin Idea Seminar
“The Wisconsin Idea Seminar reconnected me with the incredible power we have in higher education to collaborate for real positive impact in our state and beyond. It reminded me that care—intentional, relational, and place-based—is foundational to transformational learning. It affirmed what we practice in MS Design + Innovation and School of Human Ecology every day: that innovation rooted in relationships and guided by generosity is not only possible, but essential to the public good.” (WIS’25)
Trudy Watt
Academic Director, MS Design + Innovation, School of Human Ecology
“Throughout the Wisconsin Idea Seminar, we were asked to listen, empathize, and understand in order to think about what the future might hold for our collective communities, both inside the university and outside of it. We can only craft the futures we want to see by taking the time to imagine and create together.” (WIS’25)
Sara Kelm
Associate Director of English 100, English, College of Letters & Science
“There are so many social and cultural contexts that affect and shape the lives of Wisconsin students. I believe this experience opened my eyes to see this even more clearly than I had before. The Wisconsin Idea Seminar will continue to inform and inspire my teaching for years to come.” (WIS’25)
Angela Johnson
Teaching Faculty, Service Learning and Outreach, Art, School of Education
“I think it is impossible to do social science work without deeply touching the Seminar themes of relationship, reciprocity, and responsibility to people, land, and water. The Wisconsin Idea Seminar has left a lasting mark on how I think about these themes and I will incorporate that extended knowledge in my research and teaching.” (WIS’25)
Soeren Henn
Assistant Professor, Political Science, College of Letters & Science
“The Wisconsin Idea Seminar deepened my understanding of the many contributions that immigrant communities are making to education and industry in rural and urban communities across Wisconsin. I will weave these observations into my work to promote the international dimensions of the Wisconsin Idea in our state and around the world.” (WIS’24)
Fran Vavrus
Vice Provost and Dean, International Division
“It’s a great way to learn a lot about the state in a short amount of time – and also to meet colleagues from around the University that you wouldn’t otherwise meet.”
– Joshua Foa Dienstag, WIS’23, College of Letters & Science, Political Science
“Do it. Sitting on a bus for so long and making new friends may feel weird at first, but the experiences with colleagues and with Wisconsin will change you, or at least change how you think about the application of your research to the state.”
– Alvin Thomas, WIS’22, School of Human Ecology, Human Development and Family Studies
“You’ll make 40 new best friends, you’ll learn so much about new things and things you think you already know about. You’ll hear from different and unique perspectives.”
– Danielle Lawry, WIS’19, University Relations, University Marketing
“Service for and with the community is important to my research and teaching. Linking what I do each day to individuals and groups beyond the boundaries of campus is critical to making my impact relevant to Wisconsin and to helping the community understand what I do. I will continue to think about ways to build bridges with the community — so that we can help one another, inform each other’s work, and create spaces that are collaborative and useful in a variety of contexts.”
– Pajarita Charles, WIS’18, Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
“Extremely mind opening. I’m relatively new to Wisconsin, and I have a new appreciation for aspects of where our students come from, as well as the variety of populations we, as a university, serve.”
– David Ronis, WIS’17, College of Letters & Science, Music – Opera
“While I’m a native of Wisconsin and have a general understanding of the state, the seminar allowed me to see working companies, businesses, agriculture, institutions that I’d never have been able to visit on my own. Not only did we see them, we were provided context and background to make it a true learning experience.”
– Maj Fischer, WIS’16, International Division
“The Wisconsin Idea Seminar identified faces and places in Wisconsin that represent the diversity of our population and professions as well as the remarkable work being done and the daunting challenges we face. It helped me to feel like a citizen of the state of Wisconsin rather than just a member of the city in which I live.”
– Laura C. Smythe, WIS’15, Law School, Pro Bono Program, UW Law School Economic Justice Institute
