Genevieve Lambert didn’t come to UW-Madison expecting civic engagement to be the defining factor of her college experience. Four years later, Genevieve has spent her time on campus helping students navigate election cycles, advocating for more accessible pathways towards civic engagement and promoting policy change.
News
2026-27 Wisconsin Idea Fellowships Awarded to Nine Projects
The 2026-27 Wisconsin Idea Fellowships have been awarded to nine outstanding undergraduate projects at home and across the globe.
A Scholar, a Diagnosis, and the Communities That Changed Her Work and Life
During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicole Ramer found herself navigating graduate school, isolation and a cancer diagnosis all at once. Looking for support, she turned to online cancer support groups, spaces she initially approached with hesitation. What she found there not only helped her through treatment but ultimately reshaped the trajectory of her academic career.
Holistic Health and Student Well-Being with the Director of Mental Health Services Dr. Ellen Marks
In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Dr. Ellen Marks, director of Mental Health Services at University Health Services (UHS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
From Campus to Community: How Karissa Garcia Found Meaning With Badger Volunteers
For Karissa Garcia, a fourth-year student studying chemical engineering, Badger Volunteers has been the most impactful way for her to engage with the Madison community beyond classes and campus.
Community-University Mixer: Promoting Caring and Collaborative Communities
Community and university members gathered on Thursday, Feb. 19 to identify community interests, consider collaboration opportunities and develop strategies for action.
Exploring and Building Partnerships: The Fourth Wisconsin Idea Conference
The Wisconsin Idea Conference is an opportunity for community-engaged scholars across campus and the state to come together to network, share best practices and support each other’s partnerships.
Collaboratively Designing a Health Literacy Curriculum
In this episode of GridgeFridge we sit down with Amy Liang, a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a 2025 Wisconsin Idea Fellow. Liang works alongside Literacy Network staff to integrate practical health lessons into existing classes. Topics include understanding insurance terminology, communicating with medical providers and building confidence in healthcare settings.
How Campus Engagement Shaped a Life in Public Service and Advocacy
Through internships, coalition-building, and civic engagement at the Morgridge Center, Shreya Bandyopadhyay discovered her calling in public service. Today, she carries those lessons into her role supporting reproductive rights advocacy across the country.
Bridging Intergenerational Divides in Plymouth
Through community-based research, an Educational Policy Studies course partnered with Rocky Knoll Health Care Center during the fall 2025 semester to create a lasting curriculum that connects seniors and children.