GridgeFridge

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Chloe Shomo, a third-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Chloe is an advocate for basic needs on campus and is involved with both the Associated Student Government and the Open Seat Food Pantry.Chloe has been involved in several impactful projects at UW-Madison, such as the implementation of the new basic needs case manager, the basic needs website, and an interactive map that showcases food and other essential resources on campus.Chloe shares her personal experiences with food insecurity and how it catapulted her passion for advocacy on campus. In this conversation, we examine the often overlooked issue of college food insecurity, touching on the challenges students face—from managing demanding workloads while running student organizations to the lack of affordable grocery options and limited awareness of available resources. Despite the weight of the topic, Chloe brings a hopeful perspective, highlighting how finding community through student advocacy groups can help combat feelings of isolation.Listen to this week's episode to learn how students are addressing food insecurity on campus, tackling barriers like limited dining hall hours, high food prices, limited transportation, and scarce grocery options—while creating safe spaces and driving change.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Travis Blomberg, the campus resource coordinator at the University  of Wisconsin-Madison. As an administrator spearheading the university's zero waste initiatives, Travis manages procurement practices and encourages mindful consumption on campus. He shares his journey regulating sustainability efforts at UW-Madison, including the creation of the Food Waste Collection program.  Travis also attempts to tackle the complex issue of food insecurity at UW-Madison, exploring its root causes and offering insight into student-led solutions. He highlights how students can leverage both classroom learning and student organizations to address these pressing challenges and potentially attract the attention of university administration. Listen to this week's episode to learn how UW-Madison is confronting issues that extend beyond campus, from food insecurity to the environmentally harmful practices deeply embedded in society.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we speak with Dr. Barry Burden, a professor of political science at UW-Madison who specializes in civic engagement, elections, political parties, U.S. Congress, voting behavior, and more. He also directs the Elections Research Center and is the author of Personal Roots of Representation, a book that explores the significant role personal influences play in shaping  representatives' voting behavior and policymaking decisions. Dr. Barry Burden shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Ohio, to becoming a distinguished political science professor at UW-Madison. He discusses the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education, his personal experiences in academia, and how students can combat feelings of hopelessness through voting and engaging in local government. Dr. Burden also reveals why he hasn't pursued a position in government himself. Tune in to gain insights into Dr. Burden’s impressive career, his identity as a first-generation college student, and how his background shapes both his teaching and his perspective.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Monique M. Chism, the under secretary for education at the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, the Smithsonian Dr. Chism is responsible for establishing the Institution’s educational priorities. She oversees the Smithsonian’s collective initiatives, communication strategies and funding for programs with the goal of bringing the Smithsonian into every classroom in America. Her interdisciplinary training in history, sociology and education provides her with a unique perspective that focuses on the intersections of ideas, theories and approaches to support collaboration. Chism’s experience as a former teacher, state education administrator and federal education policy maker gives her a diverse lens and a deep understanding of the education landscape.

In 2023, UW–Madison celebrated its 175 years of leadership in ground-breaking research, revolutionary social movements, and pioneering academic studies. 175 years ago, UW was officially incorporated by Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. In 1851, North Hall, the first UW–Madison campus building, was opened and used as a classroom facility and a men’s dormitory.  But long before UW–Madison even existed, the land that UW–Madison occupies has been a cultural center for the indigenous Ho-Chunk nation. As time has continued, the physical spaces of Madison, Wisconsin have continued to change, and UW–Madison has continued to grow and adapt to changing expectations. Welcome to Rooted, our final episode of GridgeFridge season 4. Continue listening to learn about the history of the UW–Madison campus, value of space, and the many factors determining the physical layout of UW–Madison.

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 year anniversary of the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center, UW–Madison’s newest gym and recreation center. As an integral part of the design process, Sadat explains the design motivations behind the Bakke and how the design process incorporated student perspectives. Keep listening to learn how the recreation center is a chance to promote inclusivity and holistic health, and how the new facility has been received on campus.

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 Kazakhstan or partnering with different countries through the United Nations to address COVID-19. Beyond the work accomplished by these UW–Madison programs, internationalizing the university is a chance for valuable person-to-person connections, we find out. Keep listening to learn about mutually beneficial international relationships at UW and how learning new languages—despite being intimidating—is a chance to build connections and foster inclusion in education.

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 legislators and policymakers with those of UW–Madison leadership, faculty and students. Listen to learn how state funding of UW–Madison impacts the university’s competitiveness and how Crystal advocates for the university while responding to legislators’ needs.

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 Travis about his background, research, ideas of community engagement, and how those notions inform his work at the Morgridge Center. Join us as Travis and I discuss emotionally responsive teaching, how public service changed his life, and how community partnerships have the potential to build empathy and understanding.