UW-Madison Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis (ELPA)

Hey, first-year undergraduate students, ELPA is offering a FIG (First-Year Interest Group) for the first time this fall!

Join Dr. Jing Yu for FIG 25, ELPA 156: Global Perspectives on College Life, where students will explore higher education through global, historical, and cultural perspectives to foster intercultural awareness and understanding.

In addition to ELPA 156, students will co-enroll in History 146: A Global History of Now and Anthropology 104: Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity to add valuable context and perspectives to the exploration of our world, our challenges, and the ways we can learn about and from each other.

Visit https://bit.ly/ELPAFIG25 to learn more!

Students interested in enrolling in FIG 25 should talk with their advisors at SOAR!

Questions? Please email Dr. Yu.

UW First-Year Experience

Congratulations to GHE student Julia Hope Lyga whose poster presentation "Increase Two Year College International Students' Participation in Community Services" has won the Best Poster award in the category "Global Initiatives at Community and Technical Colleges" at this year's NAFSA Annual Conference!

UW-Madison Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis (ELPA)

We're partnering with GSAFE again this summer to offer our leadership institute to educational leaders! This year, join us in Ashland, WI!

Wisconsin school leaders - we built this for you!

This August, join us in Ashland for a three-day institute on building affirming, inclusive schools. Learn how to navigate laws, develop local policy, center student voice, and lead with confidence - even when the political landscape is complicated.

📅 August 4–6 | Ashland, WI
💰 $150–$300 sliding scale
🧒 Childcare available
📚 Scholarships available

Spots are limited. Register at institute2026.givesmart.com

Questions? DM us or email [email protected]

The fifth annual BIOS Leadership and Coaching Symposium will take place on Tuesday, June 23, at Camp Randall Stadium. Registration is open through Tuesday, June 9!

This year’s theme, “Building Culture and Developing Your People,” focuses on empowering participants to create meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.

BIOS Leadership and Coaching Symposium returns June 23 at Camp Randall Stadium The fifth annual BIOS Leadership and Coaching Symposium will take place Tuesday, June 23, at Camp Randall Stadium, bringing together coaches and leaders from across Wisconsin and beyond for a day of learning, connection, and professional growth.

GHE at NAFSA 2026 🌍

We’re excited to celebrate current GHE students presenting at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida, next week!

Congratulations to all presenters 👏
UW-Madison Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis (ELPA)

Congratulations to ELPA PhD candidates Ben Lebovitz and Tony DelaRosa, alumna Dr. Paris Wicker (PhD ‘23), and Dr. Chris Saldaña, who have been chosen as recipients of 2026 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowships, prestigious national fellowships that support promising education research by early-career scholars!

Supported by the National Academy of Education (NAEd) and Spencer Foundation, the fellowships provide funding and professional development to advance projects that address critical issues in education.

Six School of Education faculty, doctoral students awarded prestigious NAEd/Spencer fellowships - School of Education Six School of Education faculty, doctoral students awarded prestigious NAEd/Spencer fellowships May 15, 2026 By Laurel White Six members of the School of Education community have been chosen as recipients of 2026 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowships, prestigious national fellowship...

Congratulations to Dr. Chris Saldaña, who received a 2026 Vilas Faculty Early Career Investigator Award! The campuswide award recognizes research and teaching excellence in faculty who are relatively early in their careers.

Dr. Saldaña was one of five faculty members from the School of Education recognized with a Vilas professorship or award this year, and one of 48 from the University. The Early Career Investigator Award provides flexible research funding for three years.

Five School of Education faculty honored with Vilas professorships and awards - School of Education Five School of Education faculty honored with Vilas professorships and awards May 11, 2026 By Laurel White Five faculty from the School of Education have been honored with this year’s Vilas professorships and awards. The awards recognize outstanding research, teaching, and service. Vilas Distingui...

Congratulations to ELPA alumna Dr. Jamila Lee-Johnson (PhD ‘19), who will be inducted into the 2026 Michiana Forty Under 40 class!

Presented by the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, the annual award recognizes young professionals living in select counties of Michigan and Indiana for their leadership, career achievements, and commitment to strengthening the region through service and innovation. Dr. Lee-Johnson currently serves as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame.

Big recognition for one of our own | The Graduate School | University of Notre Dame One of the Graduate School’s own, Jamila Lee Johnson, Ph.D., will be inducted into the 2026 Michiana Forty Under 40 class. Lee-Johnson, the Graduate School’s inaugural assistant dean for inclusive excellence, is being recognized for her leadership in advancing equity, inclusion, and leadership p...

Dr. Krystal L. Williams is one of several faculty and staff members from the School of Education participating in a new campus program dedicated to exploring how to engage with and respond to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Check out the work of the AI Teaching Fellows pilot program, whose work will inform future campus support for instructors.

School of Education faculty and staff participate in UW–Madison program on AI in higher education - School of Education School of Education faculty and staff participate in UW–Madison program on AI in higher education April 29, 2026 By Laurel White Several faculty and staff from the School of Education are part of a new campus program dedicated to exploring how to engage with and respond to the use of generative ar...