Administrative Staff

Mark Abramson performs duties as the department’s IT expert, providing outstanding service for all technology-related issues. Mark also maintains all inventory records for A/V equipment, computers, copiers, and other miscellaneous items. Prior to joining LSC, Mark worked for American Family Insurance and M&I Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). Mark is an alumnus of LSC with a B.S. in Agricultural Journalism.

Erik Badertscher is the Administrator Manager for LSC. He is responsible for ensuring that departmental needs are met in the areas of personnel, instruction, and payroll.  He provides financial management and maintenance of LSC department accounting transactions, purchasing and processing of supplies, and equipment and reimbursement processes. In addition, he monitors department budgets, reports, and billings from research grants and gift funds.

Sandra Bennett is the Department Administrator for LSC. She is responsible for ensuring that departmental needs are met in the areas of personnel, instruction, grant and gift administration, budget management, and payroll. She is also the department administrator for the Department of Agronomy, the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and Agroecology. She has been with the college over twenty years.

Jocelyn Cao is the Communications Assistant for the department. She is responsible for managing the public image of the department by implementing communication strategies, such as maintaining and creating web content, managing the department’s social media channels, and executing brand marketing strategies. She also updates LSC’s databases and media lists, tracks LSC’s media exposure, and assists with general administrative duties. Jocelyn is a Master’s student in the LSC program and received her Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences Communication and Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Emma Hinker is the Student Services Assistant for the department. She is responsible for reviewing department curriculum and evaluations, advising LSC students, assisting with administrative duties, and furthering alumni and donor relations. She also helps coordinate the scholarship and graduation receptions and sends out a weekly newsletter detailing opportunities and events for undergraduate students in LSC. Emma is a Master’s student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) program and received her Bachelor’s degree in History and English-Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sue Mielke is the Financial Specialist for LSC. She provides financial management and maintenance of LSC department accounting transactions, purchasing and processing of supplies, and equipment and reimbursement processes. In addition, she monitors department budgets, reports, and billings from research grants and gift funds. Prior to becoming a UW employee, Mielke was a Clinical Operations Coordinator for Next Generation Medical Research.

Brianna Van Matre is the Communications Assistant for the department. She is responsible for implementing communications strategies, such as maintaining and creating web content, managing the department’s social media channels, and executing brand marketing strategies. She also updates LSC’s databases and media lists, tracks our media exposure, and assists with general administration duties. Brianna is a Master’s student in the LSC program and received her Bachelor’s degree in LSC and Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tera Holtz Wagner meets with prospective students and advises new and current undergraduates in LSC and teaches LSC 155: First-Year Seminar in Science Communication and our internship-for-credit course. She also helps coordinate the LSC graduate programs and assists with enrollment and curriculum review. Please contact her if you are interested in learning more about Life Sciences Communication courses or degree options!

Tera received her bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison in International Studies and Political Science with a Certificate in African Studies and a Master of Science in Education at UW-Whitewater with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership. As a first-generation college graduate, she is motivated to help students from all backgrounds navigate through their college career and beyond. Prior to joining LSC, Tera was an Outreach Specialist for the UW-Madison Neuroscience Training Program focused on recruitment and admissions for the Ph.D. program and organization of community outreach and events.

Current UW-Madison students interested in meeting with Tera should use Starfish to set up an appointment. Directions for using Starfish can be found here.