UW forum showcases research on low-income student access

The controversial issues of access and success in higher education are closely watched and heatedly debated by taxpayers, policymakers, and campus communities, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

A Friday, Feb. 23 forum titled “Low-Income Student Access at UW–Madison and Beyond: Problems and Solutions” will add to these conversations by featuring innovative new research on the how and why behind the issues.

Specifically, this research looks at factors that influence economic diversity at UW–Madison and other major universities. The program will also showcase a new website that demonstrates to potential students the personal financial benefits of earning a UW–Madison degree.

The forum will be held on Friday, Feb. 23, from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. in room 8417 Sewell Social Sciences Building, 1180 Observatory Drive. It is free and open to the public. Presentations include:

– “Introduction and Research Project Overview,” Barbara Wolfe, director, La Follette School of Public Affairs, UW–Madison, 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

– “Variation among Universities in Admitting and Graduating Low-Income Students,” Patrizio Piraino, visiting scholar, Institute for Research on Poverty, UW–Madison, and Matthew Steinberg, graduate assistant, La Follette School of Public Affairs, UW–Madison. Respondent: Steven Schuetz, vice president for admission and financial aid, Ripon College.

-“The Expected Economic Returns of a UW–Madison Undergraduate Degree,” Robert Haveman, professor emeritus of public affairs and economics, La Follette School of Public Affairs, UW–Madison. Respondent: Jacqueline DeWalt, director, PEOPLE, UW–Madison.

This program is co-sponsored by the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE).

The La Follette School is a highly ranked academic program at UW–Madison that offers degrees in public management and policy analysis and works closely with political leaders to help enact legislation embodying the best social science research. WISCAPE is a UW–Madison center that seeks to engage key stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers and practitioners, in an ongoing dialogue about postsecondary education to improve decision-making and leadership practices.