The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.

Following is a Q&A with Madeleine Stoffel, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Metals and Ceramics and graduating in spring 2026.

Where are you from and how did you become interested in pursuing a degree in this field? I am originally from Dubuque, Iowa, and always had a strong interest in the arts throughout my upbringing. When I first came to UW–Madison, I was on track to get my degree in Art Education. That program exposed me to several new mediums, in which I gravitated towards metalsmithing and ceramics. I kept enrolling in those courses and advancing my skills until I was compelled to fully dedicate myself to those practices and major in Art. Spending my days as a maker is paramount, and my time in the Art Department has given me the knowledge and confidence to pursue that.

How did you decide that you wanted to become at UW–Madison Badger? I grew up only an hour and a half away from Madison, so I came here occasionally for weekend getaways. I always enjoyed this city — it has a lot of character and there’s always interesting things to do. The lakes are a wonderful draw as well. The opportunity to live here and attend UW–Madison was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.