Welcome
Congratulations to this semester’s recipients of the UW-Madison Leadership Certificate program. The students listed below have committed to developing their own leadership capacity and to excel both inside and outside the classroom.
Leadership Certificate recipients, please view our messages of congratulations below from campus leaders committed to student leadership development.
This program would not be possible without the efforts of our Review Committee who spent their time reviewing the applications of recipients, provided insightful feedback for their leadership development, and attended our recipient’s capstone presentations. Thank you.
Spring 2020 Leadership Certificate Recipients
Please select the link to learn more about this past semester's Leadership Certificate recipients and their accomplishments.
School of Education
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Katherine Hoskins
Hometown: McLean, VA, USA
Year: Senior
Major/Program: Education Studies & Psychology
The UW-Madison Leadership Certificate has taught me how I enjoy being a mentor. I enjoy working with youth programs to be an advocate for other students. I have harnessed communication, bridge-building, and interpersonal skills. I hope to use my skills to work with future institutions that value student involvement and providing them with academic resources.
What is your unique/silly talent? Making great banana bread.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Memorial Union.
College of Engineering
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Maya Tanna
Hometown: Inverness, IL, US
Year: Sophomore
Major/Program: Biomedical Engineering
I learned that I enjoy leadership experiences where I am actively involved in helping people directly. I welcome all opportunities with interpersonal interaction and I really love getting engaged with councils where I can share my input and change things for the better. My future plans involve potentially going into the biomedical engineering industry or attending medical school.
What is your unique/silly talent? Being able to drink an excessive amount of Diet Coke and not dying.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Memorial Union Terrace.
School of Human Ecology
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Cathy Tran
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI, USA
Year: Senior
Major/Program: Human Development & Family Studies Major with Certificate in Gender & Women’s Studies
During my undergraduate career, I started to develop my explanation to why I wanted to become a doctor. Specifically, my leader positions helped me realize that I wanted to be a physician who serves the under-served. These experiences taught me to adopt a more mindful perspective. I wish to attend medical school in order for me to continue my path as a student of medicine, and as an evangelizer for bettering quality of life.
What is your unique/silly talent? I can sleep anywhere and at any time.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Memorial Union Terrace.
College of Letters and Science
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Lauryn Branham
Hometown: Amherst, WI, USA
Year: Senior
Major/Program: Computer Science
The biggest take away I have gained from my leadership experiences has been to always listen before talking. There have been many moments in my college career where talking before listening has bit me, but as I have learned to listen more, the more I have grown as an individual and leader. I plan to take this into my future leaderships roles to create cohesive teams and an incredible work atmosphere to take part in.
What is your unique/silly talent? I can shake my eyeballs.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Bio-commons in Steenbock Library.
Kate Brunner
Hometown: Bayfield, CO, USA
Year: Graduate
Major/Program: Master of Arts in Library & Information Science
I’ve learned what it means to center the community in the library, as opposed to the library in the community. The program helped me clarify my path forward as one of three Regional Early Literacy Librarians for the Colorado State Library’s Growing Readers Together initiative. I am excited to continue working with libraries and their communities to increase access to high quality early learning resources for all of Southwest and Central Colorado’s young children.
What is your unique/silly talent? I am pretty darn good with a hula hoop….
What is your favorite spot on campus? I only spent a week on campus in 2018 and did most of my degree as an online student, but I enjoyed visiting many of the libraries.
Anisa Ciaciura
Hometown: Chicago, IL USA
Year: Senior
Major/Program: Neurobiology & Psychology with Certificate in Global Health
Each activity I have participated in through this process has helped shape me into the student and leader I am today. Decision-making has been a competency that took time to evolve, but as I finish up my degree, I can say that I’m confident in this area and feel that I have productively contributed to the UW pre-health community. I plan to engage in deliberate reflection as a future public health practitioner and clinical physician.
What is your unique/silly talent? Photo editing & media content producer.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Aldo’s Cafe in the Discovery Building.
Kate O'Leary
Hometown: Kohler, WI, USA
Year: Sophmore
Major/Program: Biology & Sociology
I entered the Leadership Certificate Program believing I was a capable leader, but after completing my official certificate, I emerged a strong and confident leader. I learned what I value as a leader and my passion for leading people in all aspects of my life. I will carry these skills throughout the remainder of my undergraduate studies and into my professional career. Volunteering, delegating, and being inspired by successful leaders gave me a life-changing experience and undeniable personal growth.
What is your unique/silly talent? Making exceptional crepes.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Memorial Terrace.
Allison Slager
Hometown: Stoughton, WI, USA
Year: Senior
Major/Program: Biology
One thing I have learned about myself through the Leadership Certificate is that I enjoy learning different ways to communicate with people. This has allowed me to build strong connections that have led me to some of my greatest friendships and experiences I have had on campus. One day I hope to be a doctor and this skill will allow me to connect with patients and make them feel more comfortable in my care.
What is your unique/silly talent? I can hula hoop while riding a Ripstik.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Allen Centennial Garden.
School of Nursing
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Taylor Prei
Hometown: New Berlin, WI, USA
Year: Sophomore
Major/Program: Nursing
Throughout my leadership experiences within the Leadership Certificate, I learned that I am very empathetic toward people. I think this skill will be helpful in my future career as a nurse. I plan to implement this skill in my care for patients and toward everyone I meet.
What is your unique/silly talent? Singing loudly without caring.
What is your favorite spot on campus? Memorial Union Terrace.