Alumni Experiences
Jaclyn Jecha (’24, MA Political Science) attended the 2025 Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers at Georgetown University Law Center this summer. She shared her recollections of the program in this testimonial:
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers at Georgetown University Law Center, co-sponsored by Street Law and the Supreme Court Historical Society. The program deepened my understanding of constitutional interpretation, judicial decision-making, and the institutional role of the Court. The Institute offered invaluable access to experts, including Elizabeth Prelogar, former Solicitor General of the United States; recent Supreme Court law clerks, and seasoned Supreme Court advocates, whose insights brought the Court’s processes and philosophies vividly to life. One of the highlights was the opportunity to sit in the Supreme Court chamber as opinions were announced, seeing firsthand how theory and interpretation translate into precedent and impact.
This experience is directly connected to my graduate research on originalism and the use of history in judicial interpretation. Many of the Institute’s sessions, ranging from the certiorari process and statutory interpretation to debates over competing interpretive philosophies, echoed the questions I explored in my thesis. Engaging in moot courts (as a justice!), deliberations, and case studies reaffirmed for me how theory and history shape real judicial outcomes, while also giving me new strategies to bring these complex debates into my high school classroom.
A heartfelt thank you to Street Law and the Supreme Court Historical Society. And, thank you to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Political Science Department for preparing me so well to engage in this experience fully.
Alumni Achievements
City of Sheboygan Mayor Ryan Sorenson (’16, BA Political Science) was recently recognized as a Champion of Conservation by the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership. In reporting the news, the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative said: “Mayor Sorenson’s passion for protecting the Great Lakes and his dedication to bringing people together to tackle tough challenges have made a real difference, not just in Sheboygan, but across our region. His leadership on coastal resilience and community engagement is exactly what this award is all about.” Congratulations Mayor Sorenson!
Lael Keiser (‘96, PhD Political Science) was chosen to receive the 2024 John Gaus Award. The award, presented each year by the American Political Science Association, recognizes scholars with a “lifetime of exemplary scholarship” in both political science and public administration. Keiser is a professor and director of the Harry S Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on the role of gender and race in representative bureaucracy. Keiser will deliver the Gaus Lecture in September at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association.
Lisa Kotter (‘92, BA Political Science; ‘94, Master of Public Administration) was named the new city administrator of Red Oak, Iowa. She brings 30 years of administrative experience to the job, having served in cities around Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. She was most recently the city administrator in Cascade, Iowa. Kotter began her job on Sept. 18.
Following her graduation from UW Madison Law School, Eleanor Borden (‘19, BA Spanish and Political Science) has joined the Minneapolis law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine in their Business & Commercial Litigation department.
Alumnus Glenn Maloney (‘02, BA Political Science and Journalism & Mass Communication) was featured in the Duluth News Tribune for his recently published book, which explores “finding the humor in psychotherapy.” Maloney is a licensed therapist.
L&S graduate Reginald (Reggie) Newson (’95, BA Political Science; ’03, MA Political Science) has been appointed President & CEO of Wellpoint Care Network. He currently serves as Chief Community Impact and Advocacy Officer at Ascension. Read more on this from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.