Stephanie Abbott, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Stephanie Abbott, a Political Science major at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, began her civic involvement by serving as a senator in the Whitewater Student Government. Through the student government, she was able to participate in a number of committees engaging in more specific campus issues. She has been involved in a varity of issues through the Dining Services Committee, the Residence Life Master Plan Committee, the Commencement Committee, as well as through service as the student representative on the Selection Committee for a new Director of Academic Advising. After completing her first two terms, she was elected by her peers to serve as the Speaker of the Senate, providing her with direct oversight of all committee appointments as well as allowing her to serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Board. She was then appointed to the City of Whitewater Common Council and continues to serve on the council.  Stephanie is also an active participant in political campaigning and served as a deputized volunteer for local, state, and national elections when UW-Whitewater gained an on-campus polling location. In addition to these activities, she has also conducted undergraduate research in the areas of public universities and state budgets and the media portrayal of women who seek national political office.