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.

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.

Ashley Cate is the Communications Assistant for the department. She is responsible for implementing communications strategies, maintaining web content, and executing social media strategies. She also updates LSC’s databases and media lists, tracks our media exposure, and assists with general administration duties. Ashley is a Master’s student in the LSC program and received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.

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.

Tera Holtz Wagner meets with prospective students and advises new and current undergraduates in LSC. 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.

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