Field Notes APSS - 2018-19

A PSS students continued a strong presence representing UW-Stout at the annual Research in the Rotunda event in the spring. The event showcases outstanding undergraduate research from across the UW System, and is an opportunity for this work to be communicated directly to legislators, state leaders, and UW Alumni. APSS students participating this year were: Madalaine McConville: “The School-to-Prison Pipe- line: Creation, Effects, Diminishment” Katlin Eyre: “Impact of Life Skills Curriculum on Stu- dents’ Well-Being” Ryan Leckel: “Assisting Wisconsin Municipalities and Citizens in the Replacement of Lead Service Lines Using Wisconsin Act 137” Rachel Smith: “What Drug Court Treatments and Ser- vices Matter Most?” Research in the Rotunda April 17, 2019 - Madison, WI

Shaping Policy

O ne of the most common goals for students in the Applied Social Science Program is to take the knowledge they learn in the classroom and use it to affect policy in the real world. This summer, senior Deon Canon participated in the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service’s Washington Seminar, a three week summer course that included a three day introduction in Madison followed by two weeks in Washington, D.C. Deon noted, “Interacting with members of Congress at the state and federal level, I learned how to see the fa- mous politicians as ordinary people and truly learned that they are meant to work for the people. I’ve met so many powerful and inspirational people like Gwen Moore, David Crowley, and Izmirah Aitch who helped frame the picture that I can not only be in Madison or D.C., but thrive and make a difference.”

APSS students, alumni, and faculty continue to impact and influence policy locally, regionally, and nationally. In Menomonie, Ryan Leckel’s (‘19) work on sexual vio- lence in the community has reached a wide audience this year and Stephanie Hintz (‘15) has been working hard to improve community health through her work with the Dunn County Health Coalition. Senior Erin Briggs spent the summer in Sel- ma, AL and had this to say about her experience: “I interned at a law firm, where I was able to work on some important cases. The whole group of interns took part in community organizing, such as going door to door registering people to vote, listening to their opinions of Selma and how to better their communities.” Nationally, recent graduate Megan Hondl (‘17) is serving as the Campaigns Di- rector for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus while Gunther Melander (‘17), Erik Pearl (‘17), Connor Hobart (‘19), and Laura Donovan (‘17) have spent time advocating for climate change action through the Sunrise Movement. Everywhere you turn the APSS program is working hard to make the world a better place!

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Applied Social Science Program - 12