The Strategic Communication Leadership Development Program supports the next generation of communications, marketing, and outreach leaders at UW–Madison. Launched in 2017, the goals of the initiative are to strengthen cross-campus collaboration and connections while expanding institutional and professional knowledge for participants. The program is open to all marketing and communications staff on campus.
The current SCLDP cohort runs September 2025-June 2026. Applications for next year’s cohort will open in summer 2026.
About the program
- A group of approximately 15 individuals gather for professional development and training opportunities from September through June.
- The program features roughly two monthly meetings, each lasting 1.5–2.5 hours, including sessions with Office of Strategic Communication teams and visits with campus partners to learn about their communications and marketing operations.
- Participants will assist the Office of Strategic Communication to identify solutions for various marketing and communications initiatives.
Goals for participants
- Strengthen relationships with Office of Strategic Communication units and other campus partners.
- Expand cross-campus knowledge and connections.
- Learn and apply new ideas and skills.
“Along with increasing my institutional knowledge, the networking that this program encouraged was like nothing else I’ve participated in during my time at UW.”
Former program participant
Past sessions & topics
- Marketing: web, brand, and creative services
- Federal Relations
- State Relations
- Community Relations/South Madison Partnership
- UW System overview
- “Lightning round” cohort member presentations
- Admissions and campus tour
- Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)
- UW Health
- UW Police Department
- Athletics
- Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
- Schools and colleges
- Wisconsin Public Media
- Visual communications: photo and video
- Internal communications
- Executive communications/ speechwriting
- Media relations
- Research communications
- Issues and crisis management
- Social media
- UW Extension
Note: Sessions and topics may change from year to year.
Program participants
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2025 program class
- Allison Watters, College of Letters & Science, Strategic Communications & Advancement Editor & Content Strategist
- Beth Helmueller-Perkins, DAPIR, Communications Manager
- Emily Beach, Office of Finance & Administration, Communications Director
- Erin Celello, Office of Strategic Communication, Sr. Exec. Communications Writer
- Gayle Goers, Cross-College Advising Service, Communications Director
- Jacquelyn Askins, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine and Public Health, Senior Communications Manager
- Jamie Plueddeman, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, Senior Director of Marketing
- Jennifer Wagner, La Follette School of Public Affairs, Outreach Director
- Lauren Bruce, DoIT, Interim Director of Communications
- Lauren Graves, Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Communications & Engagement Manager
- Leiah Fundell, Wisconsin School of Business, Public Relations and Social Media Manager
- Luis Hernandez, UW Athletics, Associate Athletic Director, Head of Strategic Communications
- Madeleine Carr, Wisconsin Union, Communications Specialist
- Maggie Baum, School of Veterinary Medicine, Communications Director
- Meghan Chua, Graduate School, Communications Specialist
- Nicole Lederich, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Associate Director of Marketing
2024 program class
- Alisa King-Klemperer, Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center, Communications Manager
- Alison DeShaw Rowe, School of Human Ecology, Director of Strategic Communications
- Andrea Schmick, Department of Medicine (part of the School of Medicine and Public Health), Communications Associate Director
- Andrew Brunner, Facilities Planning & Management, Communications Manager
- Andrew Hahn, Division of Enrollment Management, Associate Director for Strategic Enrollment Management Data and Storytelling
- Ben Klepzig, Student Affairs – Wisconsin Union, Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications
- Catherine Steffel, Biochemistry, CALS, Communications Manager
- Chris Malina, Wisconsin School of Business, Communications Manager, Alumni Relations
- Eric Verbeten, Space Science and Engineering Center, Communications Manager
- Kara Rheingans, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Communications Manager
- Kassandra Tuten, Law School, External Affairs, Communications Manager
- Katie McMullen, Office of Strategic Communication, Marketing and Communications Strategist
- Marilyn A. Gardner, Office of Human Resources, OHR Communications Manager
- Nicole Lipp, Office of Strategic Communication, Marketing Manager
- Tsering Thillman, Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement Communications
2023 program class
- Abigail Becker, UniverCity Alliance, Senior Associate for Communications and Outreach
- Andrea Stegman, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, Social Media Specialist
- Angela Barian, Office of Strategic Communication, Creative Manager
- Caroline Schneider, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Communications Specialist
- Jen Young, Office of Finance and Administration, Communications Specialist
- Jessica Arendas, Division of Continuing Studies, Associate Director of Digital Strategy
- Joel Ninmann, Division of University Housing, Creative Manager
- Kaine Korzekwa, School of Medicine and Public Health, Executive and Internal Communications Manager
- Kate Lochner, Division of the Arts, Marketing & Communications Manager
- Kristina LeVan, Office of Strategic Communication, Content Strategist
- Liz Stanislawski, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement, Executive Director of Communications
- Sarah Glapa, University Health Services, Associate Director of Marketing & Health Communication
- Sarah Perdue, Department of Physics (L&S), Communications Manager
- Sarina Lotlikar, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement, Marketing Director
- Scott Carter, College of Letters & Science, Advancement Manager
- Sheena Hirschfield, Student Affairs, Communications Manager
2022 program class
- Alex Peirce, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Director of Communications
- Angela Rockwell, Division of Continuing Studies, Marketing Director
- Danielle Cranmer, University Marketing, Web Director
- Jason Gohlke, University Communications, Marketing and Communications Strategist
- Kathy Contezac, Office of Strategic Consulting, Communications Officer & Strategic Communications Consultant
- Lori Wilson, Division of Facilities Planning & Management, Strategic Communications & Marketing Director
- Marianne Spoon, School of Education, Associate Dean for Communications & Advancement
- Meghan Lepisto, School of Veterinary Medicine, Publications and Media Relations Manager
- Shannon Timm, School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences, Director of Advancement
- Shauna Breneman, Wisconsin Union, Communications Director
- Steven Barcus, International Division, Director of Communications
- Tod Pritchard, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, Director, Media and Public Relations
2021 program class
- Alyson Kim, School of Pharmacy, Associate Dean, Marketing & Communications
- Amy Gunderson, University Marketing, Marketing Manager
- Denise Hickey, College of Letters & Science, Assistant Dean of Strategic Communications & Advancement
- Jeffrey Potter, Wisconsin Public Radio, Director of Marketing
- Jenny Bernhardt, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Communications Director
- Jessica Arp, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, Managing Director of Communications
- Kevin Check, School of Nursing, Assistant Dean for Institutional Affairs
- Lori Getter, University Communications, Public Safety Communications Specialist
- Matthew Call, Division of Extension, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
- Natasha Veeser, UW–Madison Libraries, Head of Communications
- Nick Heynen, Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement, Social Media and Website Specialist
- Robyn Perrin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Director of Strategic Communications
2019 program class
- Betsy Lundgren, Associate Director of Communications, Wisconsin School of Business
- Brian Lucas, Director of Athletic Communications, Athletics
- Chelsea Schlecht, Senior Writer/Editor, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
- Diane Stojanovich, Director of Strategic Communications, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Eric Hamilton, Science Writer, University Communications
- Greer Davis, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, Office of Admissions and Recruitment
- Greg Bump, Senior University Relations Specialist, University Communications
- Jennifer Garrett, Senior University Relations Specialist, School of Nursing
- Marlena Holden, Interim Director, Marketing & Prevention Services, University Health Services
- Mary Evansen, Interim Director of Communications, Division of Information Technology
2018 program class
- Karla Weber, Communications Manager, Office of Student Financial Aid
- Marc Lovicott, Director of Communications, UW–Madison Police Department
- Matthew Wisniewski, Director of Marketing and Communications, Wisconsin Energy Institute/Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
- Natasha Kassulke, Manager of Strategic Communications, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
- Preston Schmitt, Editor, University Marketing
- Carrie Springer, Senior University Relations Specialist, University Communications
2017 program class
- Linda Zwicker, Senior Assistant Dean, Advancement & Communications, School of Human Ecology
- Darcy Wittberger, Director of Communications, Division of Student Life
- Mary Ellen Gabriel, Director of Communications, College of Letters & Science
- Linda Brunette, Director of Media Relations, UW Health
- Brendon Dybdahl, Director of Marketing & Communications, Division of UW Housing
- Mary Carr Lee, Director of Communications, Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement
Contact us
For general questions:
Katie McMullen
Office of Strategic Communication
katie.mcmullen@wisc.edu
608-265-8549