In an era where disagreements often lead to division, Communication Arts is building space to practice having difficult conversations and deepen our understanding of others’ ideas as well as our own. This has made Communication Arts an important contributor to a new program championed by Chancellor Mnookin and Provost Zumbrunnen–the Wisconsin Exchange. In collaboration with experts across campus, the initiative aims to provide space and encourage students, faculty, and staff to engage in a robust exchange of ideas.
Communication Arts Professor Allison Prasch plays an essential role in the Wisconsin Exchange as a member of the steering committee. As an expert in U.S. presidential rhetoric and political communication, Professor Prasch is excited for the opportunity to bring more intentional engagement in civic discussion both in and out of the classroom.
“At a time where political polarization and division often are the norm, it is important for faculty to create space in the classroom for points of connection and collaboration,” Prasch remarked. “If we’re going to contribute to a more productive, healthy democracy, we have to learn how to talk with—not past—one another.”
Early in this project’s development, Communication Arts donor funding assisted Professor Prasch in building key relationships for the Wisconsin Exchange. Prasch traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with civic foundations and people who have become essential assets to the program. One critical relationship Prasch orchestrated was with Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States. Shogan’s partnership with the Wisconsin Exchange sprouted during this meeting, and she was soon invited to UW–Madison to participate in the March 2026 Pluralism in Practice workshop. Here, Shogan and Prasch engaged in a lively fireside chat that explored how her role as a curator of national memory incorporated an exchange of different ideas and perspectives throughout American history.
The Pluralism in Practice workshop is just one example of the work Communication Arts is doing on campus in this important space. Professor Prasch’s early work with the Wisconsin Exchange and her continued dedication to teaching made her a top contender for the Wisconsin Exchange grant program, which aims to “widen and deepen the presence of viewpoint diversity on campus and foster dialogue across differences,” according to the program’s website. Prasch will use the funds from this grant to launch the Civics and Democracy Collective. As an interdisciplinary hub, the Collective will both align learning objectives of civics courses from various programs in the College of Letters and Science as well as create new courses that will build an intentional pathway for civic learning in L&S.
Professor Prasch will be teaching a new Communication Arts course in the Fall as part of her work with the Civics and Democracy Collective. The course, “We the People:” Voices of Democracy, will provide a space for current and prospective Communication Arts students to explore how language aids our understanding of national identity.
“I do believe that being willing to think expansively and engage across different perspectives is something we should all do,” said Prasch. “It doesn’t mean you have to change your mind. It doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your ethical or moral commitments. But it is a part of being an engaged citizen.”
Communication Arts has been proud to provide support to Professor Prasch to assist with her relationship-building efforts and establish a new course in the department. The work the Wisconsin Exchange and Professor Prasch will continue to accomplish will have lasting impacts on our educational resources for students, the community of UW–Madison, and residents throughout Wisconsin. It is thanks to donor support for Communication Arts that our faculty can provide their expertise and help build campus-wide initiatives. You can support our faculty and projects like the Wisconsin Exchange by making a gift to Communication Arts during Day of the Badger on April 14-15, 2026.