New Rankings Highlight the Wisconsin Advantage
During the 2025–26 academic year, the Wisconsin School of Business and UW–Madison were recognized with top rankings among peer public institutions, underscoring a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, cutting‑edge research, and trusted leadership:
BOLD Circles Celebrates Successful First Year
In 2025, the Wisconsin School of Business launched BOLD (Badgers of the Last Decade) Circles, a brand-new initiative that keeps recent graduates plugged into the Business Badger community after they’ve received their diploma.
“Young alumni are integral members of WSB’s nationally recognized alumni network, and we’re thrilled to build something specific to their needs and interests,” says Betsy Lundgren (BA ’03, MA ’05), chief advancement officer at WSB. “We’ve heard from recent graduates that they want WSB’s help in enhancing their connection to this network, and BOLD Circles facilitates that in a way that’s personal, genuine, and fun.”
Each Circle consists of about 10–12 Business Badgers living in the same region and is led by a volunteer alum who organizes events and facilitates connections. With guidance from WSB, Circle members create their own experiences in their city, from professional development opportunities and networking to social meetups and Badger game watch parties.
In its inaugural year, over 55 members joined BOLD Circles in Madison and Chicago during the program’s pilot phase. WSB plans to expand BOLD Circles to additional cities, including New York City in Fall 2026.
Award-Winning Tech Journalist Shares AI Insights with Business Badgers
The Wisconsin School of Business welcomed Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman as the school’s most recent Business Journalist in Residence. Her reporting spans the rise of artificial intelligence, technology companies, and the societal impact of digital platforms.
During her weeklong visit, Seetharaman led a public panel discussion, “AI: Beyond the Headlines,” which featured a conversation with WSB faculty experts on the real-world implications of artificial intelligence and the questions that remain unanswered. She also visited students in AI Hub @ WSB, a new student organization committed to making the school a leader in AI adoption by promoting its use, education, and integration across business.
Additionally, Seetharaman met with WSB faculty members belonging to the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Recruited for their cutting-edge research and advanced expertise in AI, RISE-AI faculty collaborate across the UW–Madison campus to address the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence.
Donors Go Big for WSB on Day of the Badger
On April 14–15, alumni, parents, and community members joined together to support the Wisconsin School of Business on Day of the Badger, UW–Madison’s annual giving tradition.
MBA Students Assess Market Feasibility for Student Tech Startups
Teams of MBA and tech students at UW–Madison transformed concepts into finished prototypes through their involvement with the UW Tech Exploration Lab, a collaborative effort that unites students, alumni, and industry to explore bold ideas through hands-on experimentation.
The MBA students participated through a product development class at WSB, in conjunction with Tech Exploration Lab Executive Director Sandra Bradley (MS ’90).
Tech students provided the foundational venture idea, while MBA students created the marketing strategy and value proposition—effectively closing the gap between raw idea and market feasibility.
“When MBA students and technical builders collaborate, the conversation shifts from ‘Can we build this?’ to ‘Should we build this—and for whom?’ That dynamic dramatically increases the odds that strong technology becomes a fundable, scalable venture,” says Bradley.
Teams also benefited from the mentorship of the program’s alumni partners, who volunteered their time to provide students with expert guidance and insights.