MPPA Student Madison Lackey Award Fulbright Scholarship
When Madison Lackey was preparing to graduate in the spring of 2023, she wasn’t sure what her following year was going to look like. A double major in political science and philosophy, she knew her ultimate goal was to go for her Ph.D. in philosophy but didn’t feel prepared to start her studies right away. Then, Associate Professor Su Su spoke to her Constitutional Law class about the Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program. By the end of that class, Lackey knew what she would be doing come the fall.
Lackey’s interests have always been on the theoretical side of politics. However, she found herself discouraged by the lack of change she was seeing in government and knew that she wanted to do something to help change that. “The theoretical side of government is important, but it has to be paired with the practical side of things, and that turns out to be policy,” stated Lackey.
Along with participating in the MPPA program, which is a part of the new Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Lackey is a graduate assistant for Jon Ring, director of undergraduate studies at the Baker School, and Lindsay Herrell, student programs coordinator. She is a mentor to the Baker School’s undergraduate students and a teaching assistant for the Political Analytics course.
During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded funding through the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship, which is a congressionally funded scholarship that is on the path toward Fulbright. She participated in a five-week study abroad in Italy with UT’s Political Science department. While taking two courses, she explored the connection between what she learned in the classroom to what she experienced while diving into the culture of Italy.
Lackey was encouraged to apply for the Fulbright scholarship, something she hadn’t originally thought of doing, especially since Teacherships, what she was interested in doing, typically went to English and Education majors. She was chosen as an alternative but then awarded the scholarship.
“The award came with mixed emotions,” says Lackey. “Being an alternate first has made me value this opportunity more. But at the same time, I felt I had found my spot in the MPPA program and Baker School.” It was the support from the MPPA faculty and Baker School staff that encouraged her to take this opportunity, telling her that the program would be waiting for her when she returned.
“The MPPA program is very proud to have Madison,” says Professor Su, who is also the director of graduate studies at the Baker School. “She is a living example of academic excellence and a strong advocate for public values. She contributes in so many different ways to the success of our program. The program wishes her the best in her Fulbright trip and welcomes her back when that journey is completed.”
In March 2024, Lackey will spend nine months in Brazil as an English teacher assistant at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Letras. She will be a part of a class that the student chooses to take, something that excites her. A University professor will be the lead; however, she will be present at each class and create her own lesson plans. In her role, she will be a representative of American culture and an example of what America stands for.
After her time in Italy and her experience in her foreign language course at UT, she became intrigued by the idea of using art in her lesson plans. She believes that art and culture can transcend into everything, even with government. It’s what interests her in becoming a professor one day, using different aspects of our lives and culture to teach important subjects and finding ways to reach students on important topics.
Lackey finally feels prepared to face what is in her future, including her time in Brazil. “I feel more prepared to interact with people who are in a place of authority, to communicate with them in a professional and effective manner,” she says on her first semester of the MPPA program. “I have been taught the essential tools to succeed in the workforce.”
When she returns in November 2024, Lackey wants to resume her studies in the MPPA program and her work at the Baker School. “I feel the support from the tight-knit community that is here at the Baker School. Everyone is invested in seeing one another succeed, and learning from everyone that is here.”