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Austin Hammond, far right, meets with leaders in the office of Wisconsin Rep. Michael Schraa in 2022.

Imagine a database of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni who have raised their hands, run for public office and, while juggling jobs and family obligations, earned seats on school boards, city councils and other public governance bodies.

Such a roster may not exist, but rest assured, alumni answering the call to public service in Wisconsin elected roles are many. One can zero in on a good sample of these civically engaged Titans with a simple scan of communities and regions not too far from their alma mater.

Alumni-leaders cite their academic and extracurricular experiences as formative—the inspirations for their pursuits of school board seats, mayorships and other locally elected roles.

Here are just a few examples based on conversations with four UWO alumni who earned roles on eastern and northeastern Wisconsin community boards, councils, and public offices in spring 2024 elections.

**Menasha’s new mayor**

Austin Hammond

Austin Hammond, ’21, who is pursuing a UWO Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, was elected mayor of the City of Menasha in April.

Hammond is a member of the Brothertown Indian Nation and a member of the tribal council. He served on the Menasha city council since 2022. His first full day leading the city of nearly 18,000 residents was his 27th birthday.

“As I got involved (on the Menasha council) I enjoyed the things we were working on at the council level and the amazing staff that works for the city,” Hammond said. “The city is filled with great people… I have a heart for government and policy and serving others, and government is a good tool if you know how to use it. You can do great things with it.”

Hammond gives his UWO experience much credit for shaping his interest in politics and public service.

“I believe in the Universities of Wisconsin and the Oshkosh campus, in particular,” he said. “It’s where I was able to dig deeper into government and politics and got involved in student government… It’s in student government where I met my wife. UW Oshkosh prepared me for being ready to run for public office. The campus advocates for civics and engagement with different stakeholders. That kind of culture speaks to students.”

Hammond said “student government was my thing.” He started in the Oshkosh Student Government’s senate and became vice president pro tempore before serving as vice president. He emerged as an advocate for university carbon neutrality, student accessibility, and campus safety.

In the classroom, he cites political science and social justice professors as mentors.

“Their classes challenged me and made me view the world differently,” he said. “… Having those classes where you feel challenged and want to grow played a huge role in me wanting to get involved in elected office.”

“The university creating that culture of serving each other and the community at large is beneficial.”

**Realtor and Wauwatosa city council member**

Aletha Champine

Aletha Champine,’06,’ is a real estate agent in the greater Milwaukee area living in Wauwatosa City. In April she was elected to a two-year term on Wauwatosa's common council which has approximately 48,000 residents..

Champine graduated from UWO with a political science degree credits some serendipitous sorority experience along with thought-provoking political science courses professors stoking otherwise shy student's interest government policy.

She pursued seat Wauwatosa Common Council after hearing her frustrations over inspections echoed among other small business owners..

“I don’t know if I jumped at opportunity but small business owners pushed me into it,” Champine said..

“Housing important nationally problem thought If motivated city level perhaps move needle that.”

Champine recalls filling sorority sister student government's Senate one meeting.. Then next semester ran sorority-senator..

She sat relatively quiet first month two observing listening learning body's political dynamics which what doing now.

One thing learned quickly this position change common frustrating denominator inevitable noting efforts streamline deliberative processes..

My thought streamline any capacity awarded Nobel Peace Prize because amazing addressing amount meetings garner trust efficiency understanding personally believe increasing trust..

Champine also credits class sizes eventual pursuit UW Business MBA consortium degree 2013 preparing her public office.. She even earned post-baccalaureate Chemistry another college.. But four-year undergraduate experience prepared ability survive wild.

Going off college those things kids might need now more than ever," she said..

**A double-dose service: health school board**

Susan Garcia Franz

Susan Garcia Franz earned MPA May 2022 already serving career Winnebago County Health Department community health strategist.. She pursued elected seat Neenah Joint School District Board Education spring election K-12 district serves more than students.

I decided run worked over years behind scenes statewide organization focused dyslexia.. With passage Act wanted advocate changes needed district level improved identification curriculum changes feel experience benefit assessments resources.

Garcia Franz journey budgeting policy expanded knowledge command tools practices important governance large like Neenah's

UWO helped understand inputs needed administration transparency communication make work well appreciate master's degree helped working now being official."

**Economics education steered him toward service back hometown**

Dale Steinmetz born Oshkosh spent grade Stevens Point Economics graduate senior sales specialist large insurance company returned graduation won seat city's council

Steinmetz cites combination classroom living extracurricular experiences including time College Business Economics Association drivers pursuit local Public Sector sparked interest think took class maybe year earlier should been able those holy cow economics interesting,"

Steinmetz served president residence hall freshman year following stepped forward development specialist life helping lead Point community approximately according most recent Census bureau data

There people district retired lived longer alive noting alderperson not seeking reelection encouraged won continues acclimate role responsibilities realities including being okay calls make.

I like pleasing disliking making unhappy position even perfectly chunk displeased did more involved curtain pulled back inner workings gained quite appreciate complex systems be."

He also credits opportunity serve tutor shaping approach leadership helping information look problem.”

And rookie leaders noted faculty members passion disciplines teaching mentorship within crucial Something clicked loved."

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