Since the grand opening of the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center on April 24, 2023, the facility has been used by an average of about 4,000 students daily. In combination with the Nicholas Recreation Center, together, both gyms see about 10,000 students a day, a fifth of the student population.  In this episode, we are talking with Sadat Khan, the director of facilities and operations at Recreation Wellbeing at the UW–Madison and with this April episode, we are celebrating the one...

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we bring you an Intern Extravaganza Special. GridgeFridge host, Laine Bottemiller, is joined by Morgridge Center interns Barsha Pantha, Isa Hernandez-White, and Makayla Cole to share and reflect about their personal and professional experiences at the center as graduation is around the corner. Tune in to learn how they've grown and hone their skills over the course of the past three years and what the Morgridge Center means to them and what it could mean to you.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Elise Ahn, the founding director of the International Projects Office and lecturer in educational policy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Elise studies language, linguistics, and education policy. Previously, Elise has also lectured at KIMEP University in Kazakhstan. The International Projects Office, or IPO, globalizes the Wisconsin Idea through international projects and partnerships—this can look like capacity building at Nazarbayev University in...

Did you know that UW–Madison has an economic impact of $30 billion dollars annually on the state of Wisconsin? In this bonus episode, we talked about how Crystal has seen UW–Madison’s impact across the state of Wisconsin and how she communicates this value to Wisconsin policymakers. As the senior director of State Relations for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Crystal Potts is the connecting piece between UW–Madison and the state government, balancing the interests and needs of Wisconsin...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Travis Wright. Dr. Travis Wright has been the faculty director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service since 2022, but beyond the Morgridge Center, his life experiences have been full of public service. Growing up facing housing insecurity instability and then finding his own passion for public service, Travis has witnessed firsthand the importance of service and community engagement.  In this episode, we’re breaking the fourth wall and talking with...

In this episode, we talk with Gracey Niedzielak and Avery Simpson, the chapter president and vice president of A Moment of Magic at UW–Madison. A Moment of Magic, also known as AMOM, is a nonprofit organization that uses engaging social wellness activities to inspire children to be brave, strong, and fearless. The organization raises awareness for families impacted by pediatric cancer, children with disabilities and other medically vulnerable and underserved populations. Members of AMOM...

Every year, a select group of University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty and academic staff take a five-day journey across the state of Wisconsin, called the Wisconsin Idea Seminar. This episode, we're talking with Assistant Provost and Director of the Wisconsin Idea Seminar Catherine Reiland, who is responsible for designing the immersive study journey. The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is a chance for academic staff to come together, listen and learn from communities across Wisconsin. When...

In this special episode of GridgeFridge, we dig into the topic of affordable housing in Madison. As the university’s population continues to grow, students question whether there is physically space enough for them. Others are unsure whether they can afford to come to UW-Madison at all. Produced over four months, this narrative-style episode features voices across campus and Madison, including leaders from the Zoe Bayliss Student Housing Cooperative, housing administrators/representatives...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Emily Boettcher, Elaine West, and Maddy Willander, students who worked on a capstone project involving issues to prisoner reentry — also a Community-based Learning course. Their project centered around the organization Just Dane, a program in Dane County that works to provide resources to and advocate for individuals impacted by incarceration. We’ll talk with these students on their experience working with Just Dane and in the academic environment...

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we're chatting with Amanjot Kaur, Kayley Bell and Sarah Nehls. Throughout the spring, this group has been working with BadgersVote, League of Women Voters, Campus Vote Project, and Associated Students of Madison to activate students in the civic engagement sphere. Following one of the most funded state Supreme Court races, we're reflecting on what made this election special and the importance of the student vote. We're also discussing this semester of...

In our second episode of the spring semester, we’re thrilled to welcome Sammy Angelina, Jenna Harb and Claudia Liverseed. Claudia and Jenna are interns for the Morgridge Center’s Student Organization Partnership Programs, called SOPP. SOPP works to connect community partners with registered student orgs to build long-term partnerships between campus and the greater Madison community. Sammy works as a community engagement education intern, a role in which she facilitates educational workshops...

After taking some time to rest and rejuvenate over winter break, we are happy to be back and bring you more episodes! In our first episode of the spring semester, we are thrilled to have Emma Gleed and Molly Peden join us to talk about Achievement Connections. Achievement Connections matches UW–Madison students with local high school students to tutor them in math while developing their overall study skills. The program is a partnership between United Way of Dane County, AmeriCorps, Madison...

In this special episode of GridgeFridge, we dig into the behind-the-scenes work of the Sifting and Reckoning exhibit – the culmination of a years-long research project examining the history of discrimination and exclusion at UW–Madison. Produced over two months, this narrative-style episode features voices across campus, including Public History Project Director Kacie Lucchini Butcher and Assistant Director Taylor Bailey. Listeners will learn about the difficult decisions and intricate...

In our third episode this season, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Barry Burden. Barry is a professor of Political Science at UW–Madison, and is the director of the Elections Research Center. His research and teaching are centered around American elections, with a focus on representation and the electoral system. Barry also chairs the BadgersVote Coalition, which is a campus-wide initiative that strives to provide UW–Madison students with everything they need to know in order to participate in...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Kao Lee Yang. Kao Lee is a doctoral student at UW–Madison. She researches dementia as a trainee in the Neuroscience Training Program and studies public policy through the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Kao Lee is also a Morgridge Fellow, which is a program hosted here at the Morgridge Center to expand and develop community-engaged scholarship at UW–Madison. Furthering her community impact, Kao Lee is the founder of HmongInBioSci, a Twitter...

To kick off our third season of GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Hannah Hatlan-Atwell. Hannah has gained a lot of experience in the public service sphere in the Madison area – and now, she helps UW–Madison students navigate the public service sector as a career advisor for the School of Human Ecology (SoHE). Before coming to SoHE, Hannah worked as a coordinator for the Achievement Connections program. Achievement Connections serves over 150 students in the Madison Metropolitan School...

To cap off an amazing second season, we’re thrilled to welcome Shreya Bandyopadhyay, who is an Andrew Goodman Foundation Ambassador at the Morgridge Center. Shreya is a senior majoring in political science and legal studies with a certificate in gender and women's studies. As a Vote Everywhere Ambassador, Shreya has promoted civic engagement and voting accessibility on campus for two years. Shreya also co-hosts PodCast Your Vote, which is a podcast dedicated to encouraging voter engagement...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re ecstatic to welcome Abby Onesti, a member of UW–Madison’s Music Therapy Association (MTA). Abby has been a member of Music Therapy Association for three years and is currently the president. MTA’s goal is that each of its members understands what music therapy is, how it works, and to bring awareness to the music therapy profession. In this episode of GridgeFridge, we talk with Abby about her work as a member of MTA, the impact of MTA as music therapy, and how...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re ecstatic to welcome John Zumbrunnen, the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. Zumbrunnen has been a faculty member of the UW-Madison Political Science Department for over a decade. Now, as the vice provost for teaching and learning, he provides leadership and support for UW–Madison’s teaching and learning mission across campus. Previously, Zumbrunnen served as faculty director of the Chadbourne Residential College and co-chaired the UW Teaching Academy....

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Nathan Larson and Madison Yurubi to talk about their experience in a UW Community-based Learning course. Community-based Learning classes, also known as CBL courses, incorporate at least 25 hours of community engagement so students can get real-world experience as part of a for-credit class. Larson, who is a lecturer and senior outreach specialist at the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, leads a CBL course called Mindfulness...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Gavin Luter, who is the managing director at UniverCity Alliance. UniverCity Alliance partners with cities and local municipalities, connecting them with service and research resources at UW–Madison. Through bridge-building engagement with policy initiatives grounded in the priorities of local governments, UniverCity Alliance’s efforts improve the places and lives of people throughout Wisconsin and the world. In this episode of GridgeFridge,...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Sam Park, who is the program manager at the national nonprofit the Human Rights Campaign based out of Washington D.C. Sam graduated from UW–Madison in 2018 with degrees in neurobiology and sociology and a certificate in global health. During his undergraduate, he worked at the Morgridge Center as a special events intern. After working for various organizations such as Community Shares of Wisconsin, REAP Food Group and Kids Forward, Sam joined...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Laura Livingston, the Morgridge Center’s Community-Engaged Scholarship graduate fellow. Laura is a fourth-year PhD student in the Environment and Resources Program within the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. With a background as an Agricultural Adviser in Ghana in the Peace Corps, Laura has a lot of experience working in community development and agricultural education. She supports community-engaged learning and Community-based...

Today on GridgeFridge, we’re excited to welcome Isa Hernandez-White and Bertha Gonzalez, two of four Community-based learning interns at the Morgridge Center. Isa is a sophomore at UW–Madison majoring in psychology and Bertha is a junior majoring in human development and family studies and psychology. As Community-based Learning interns, Isa and Bertha help facilitate Community-based learning classes, also called CBL courses. CBL courses incorporate at least 25 hours of meaningful community...