Advising
Your college years are an exciting time in your life — a time to figure out who you are, what you want to do, and how to get there. You’ll be making a lot of important decisions at UW-Madison that will shape your future. These may be difficult choices, but you are not alone! Your advisers are here to help you learn the skills you need to tackle the big questions.
Our Department has professionals to advise you on: program planning, internship opportunities, study abroad programs, student research interests, transfer and study abroad credits, and more.
Advisors
Cassie Chulick
Position title: Undergraduate Advisor
Email:
cassie.chulick
Phone: (608) 263-2396
Address:
303 North Hall
Amy Gangl
Position title: Director of Undergraduate Studies
Email:
agangl
Phone: (608) 263-2028
Address:
302 North Hall
Rachel Margolies
Position title: Undergraduate Coordinator
Email:
rachel.margolies
Phone: (608) 262-5639
Address:
301 North Hall
PS academic advising will be held in-person in our North Hall offices unless otherwise noted as a “Remote Advising Appointment” in the appointment type when you search for appointments in Starfish. We have designated options available for both appointment types, though the majority of which take place in-person.
The Political Science Department is located in North Hall, the oldest building on campus. Due to its age, this building is not accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities and does not have an elevator or accessible restroom. Faculty, instructors, and staff will accommodate those for whom North Hall presents a disability-related barrier to ensure equal opportunity for all students to attend office hours, advising, and other department-related events.
Scheduling
All currently declared students and current UW-Madison undergraduate students interested in the Political Science major are welcome to schedule an appointment. Advising appointments can be made through Starfish. You can access Starfish from your MyUW dashboard.
To add the Starfish app:
- Login to MyUW
- Search for Starfish
- Click Add to home for easy access
- Launch the app
Please click this link for instructions on how to use Starfish.
Our PS Peer Advisors are available to discuss internship resources, PS classes, future semesters, Wisconsin in Washington, double majors, certificates, and anything else that might be on your mind.
Jill Goldwasser: My name is Jill Goldwasser (she/her), and I am a senior double majoring in Political Science and Sociology with certificates in Political Economy, Philosophy, and Politics (PEPP) and Public Policy. I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri. My academic interests include International Political Economy and Climate Policy. I spent the Spring Semester of my junior year studying abroad in Copenhagen and this summer I participated in Wisconsin in Washington!
Schedule with Jill on Starfish
Sam Basa: My name is Sam Basa (he/him), and I am a senior majoring in Political Science and History with certificates in African Studies, European Studies, and Public Policy. I am from Wyckoff, New Jersey, and my academic interests mainly include international security and modern Southeast Asian History. I have interned for Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Governor Tony Evers, and the U.S. Army JAG Corps at Fort Moore, GA. I am also an Army ROTC Cadet here on campus and plan to begin my career in the military after graduation. I am a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and a former VP of PSSA. I look forward to working with all of you this year!
Isabel Caballero: My name is Isabel Caballero (she/her), and I am a senior majoring in Political Science, Legal Studies, and getting a certificate in Criminal Justice. I have been a declared political science student since freshman year and have spent my years at Madison growing my passion for politics. I studied abroad in Barcelona in the Spring of my junior year! Some of my experiences throughout the years have been interning for the drug treatment courts of Hennepin County in Minneapolis, being a finance intern for the Mandela Barnes campaign in 2022, and being a congressional intern at the office of Senator Amy Klobuchar. I plan to attend law school in the Fall of 2025 after taking a gap year, and hopefully working for a campaign during the 2024 election cycle!
Schedule with Isabel on Starfish
Advisor Tips:
- How to Email Your Professor
- Choosing Classes and Making Academic Plans
- Go Abroad! (but do it well)
- Dissecting What the Professor Wants
- Political Science Reading Comprehension Guide
Helpful Links:
- What Can You Do With Your Political Science Major?
- SuccessWorks at the College of Letters and Science
- Department of Political Science Internship Webpage
- POLI SCI 315
- Video Recording of “Demystifying Graduate School” Panel Discussion
- Have a career conversation with a Political Science alum! Look for the SuccessWorks “Career Conversations” course on your Canvas dashboard.
Major
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Majors in political science obtain a broader understanding of the world, but also develop important skills in critical thinking and analysis. Students who major in political science will emerge better prepared to make professional choices. These skills are indispensable in any career path you decide to pursue.
The Political Science major is concerned with exploring the exercise of power in its myriad forms and consequences. Students in the major are encouraged to explore such central issues as the ethical problems attendant to the exercise of power; the impact of historic, economic, and social forces on the operation of politics; the functioning and distinctive features of the US political system; the diversity of political systems found among nations of the world and the significance of these differences; the interaction among international actors and the causes of war and peace. When you study political science you gain practical knowledge, intellectual depth, and conceptual tools to pursue careers in law, business, journalism, public service, and education.
