Letters from the Directors: Spring 2026

From the Outgoing Director, Kathleen Bartzen Culver

Last week I cried watching the end of “Apollo 13.” Anyone on the 5th floor of Vilas Hall or past students who remember me on a last class day will tell you – crying is nothing new for Katy Culver. And “Apollo 13” is one of Hollywood’s great emotional rides.

But this viewing hit me a little differently. As the ship is on final entry, commander Jim Lovell says, “Gentlemen, it’s been a privilege flying with you.” That’s exactly how I feel as I wrap up my term as SJMC director. It’s been three years of unexpected challenges, scrappy resilience and coming uncertainty. And I have never been more proud of us.

The single greatest challenge of my term has been fiscal. When federal grant funding went into a tailspin and international enrollment dropped, all of UW-Madison was forced into painful budget cuts. Yet with help from creativity, hard work and philanthropic support, our research, teaching and service missions emerged stronger.

Like the Apollo astronauts, we’ll be dealing with the burns of reentry from this, as well as the implications of AI, social divisions and many other challenges. I am so happy to report that I’m handing the reins off to Mike Wagner, a colleague who is prepared, hard-working and ready to lead in exciting new ways.

When I started as director, I wrote, “I’m struck by a single word: gratitude.” That feeling has only grown. Thank you to the students, staff, faculty and alumni who have made this job deeply rewarding and – believe it or not – often fun. J-Schoolers, it’s been a privilege flying with you.

On, Wisconsin!

Kathleen Bartzen Culver
Outgoing Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

From the Incoming Director, Michael W. Wagner

I am thrilled, inspired and deeply grateful to become the 15th Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW–Madison. Moving to Madison in 2012 to work in the SJMC has been the greatest decision of my career. I love this place – my colleagues, students and community.

Yet, when I look at what’s ahead for higher education, it is clear that we are navigating some uncharted waters. I am excited to help guide the SJMC into a future where serious scholarship is championed and effectively applied to inform our world-class teaching so that our classroom education and mentoring work leads to new opportunities for our students and alums.

In the SJMC, everything flows from our faculty. When they’re producing cutting-edge research, good things follow — for students, staff and the community. Expanding that research leadership, and who contributes to it, is priority one.

Katy Culver leaves behind a genuinely remarkable legacy — new resources, stronger alumni engagement, a level of creativity and care in how we think about our mission, and the best team we’ve ever had. I know I’ll benefit from the strong position she leaves for us.

The best part is knowing I’m not alone. People love the SJMC and want to help. Faculty, students, alumni — there’s a real passion for the school and what it stands for. Tapping into that support and helping us improve the public good is part of the cure for what ails us as a society.

On, Wisconsin!

Michael W. Wagner
Incoming Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communication