A Resource Worth Fighting For

UW alumni can function as allies in the face of current threats and challenges. Jeff Miller

In a time of uncertainty for higher education, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) is stepping up its advocacy for the university. WAA hosted alumni advocacy days at the state capitol in Madison and in Washington, DC, in April. The annual events gave alumni a chance to hear from campus leaders about UW priorities and then meet with their elected officials to explain why they love and support UW–Madison.

But because of recent changes in federal funding and policies, WAA has added resources to help alumni keep up with the changing landscape. Mike Fahey ’89, managing director for state and university relations for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, explains how alumni can function as allies in the face of current threats and challenges.

With dramatic changes to higher education happening at both the state and federal level, how is the Wisconsin Alumni Association reacting?

Our most prominent new tool is the monthly Informed Insider e-newsletter, which allows us to offer a deeper dive into issues impacting the university in areas that are funded by state and federal dollars.

So far, we have written about why we need to tear down the Humanities Building and find new spaces for the Art Department and School of Music faculty. We have discussed the effect federal student financial aid has on campus. And we have explained how state funding for the Dairy Innovation Hub has leveraged increased federal research funding and how it drives private investment in Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

We have also created web content that helps update alumni on changes happening on the federal level that affect UW–Madison. Lastly, we continue to offer alumni and friends an easy means of connecting with their elected officials through our advocacy web page.

Alumni and friends can access this page, stay updated on the impact of federal changes, subscribe to the newsletter, and join the Alumni Advocacy Coalition at uwalumni.com/advocate/.

Politics is so divisive these days. How do you avoid taking a partisan stance on issues? 

We are strictly nonpartisan in our approach to alumni advocacy. We do not target one party over the other. We are, however, very much pro-UW–Madison. We are unapologetic in our belief that the university is a resource worth fighting for, and we help our alumni express their support for those things that improve UW–Madison and higher education in our state and the nation.

What keeps you hopeful?

I am confident that UW–Madison will survive the challenges we face right now because of the response we are getting from our alumni. Wisconsin alumni love this university, are proud of the degrees they got here, and are working to ensure that future generations of Badgers have the same opportunities and experiences they had in Madison. They are reaching out to their elected officials, their families, and their neighbors, reminding everyone of the value of a UW–Madison degree and the importance that higher education plays in the success of our state, our nation, and our world.

Published in the Summer 2025 issue