Three University of Wisconsin-Superior students majoring political science spent part of their spring break learning more about state government in Madison as part of a new initiative by the Political Science Student Association.  

Elizabeth Jacobsen of Middleton, Wis., Matt Grusznis of Barnum, Minn., and Hillary Peterson of Sturgeon Lake, Minn., accompanied three political science faculty members on the four-day trip. The group met with state Sen. Bob Jauch, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack, lobbyists for non-profit groups, and other people involved in the political process.  

The students and their professors worked together to organize the trip, said Dr. Alisa Von Hagel, assistant professor of political science. Along Von Hagel, faculty members on the trip were Dr. Khalil "Haji" Dokhanchi and Dr. Daniela Mansbach.  

"The students wanted to be exposed to the political process and to engage with policy actors to get their viewpoints, see how they got their jobs, and to learn how they carry out their jobs on a day-to-day basis," Von Hagel said.  

The Political Science Student Association is open to all political science majors and minors as well as students that are interested in politics and government.  The association is planning on an additional student trips in the future, including annual trips to Madison.