The King-Morgridge Scholars Program is located within the International Division. The program has a dedicated staff person to manage the program and receives leadership and support from the Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives. Additionally, we receive a high level of support from our Dean’s office staff to meet the administrative needs of the program. Our location within the International Division also facilitates our scholars’ connections to International Student Services (support services for international student visa holders), International Academic Programs (opportunities for study abroad and international internships), and the Institute for Regional and International Studies (home to the university’s nine area studies centers and the International Studies major).
The King-Morgridge Scholars Program also receives critical support from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Their staff actively recruit candidates from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia where our scholars must hail from; review applications for admission to the University of Wisconsin; and participate in the selection of candidates for the program. Applicants to the program can address questions to them at kmscholars@admissions.wisc.edu.
Kate McCleary
Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives, International Division
Dr. Kate McCleary is the Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives in the International Division. McCleary oversees the operations of the King-Morgridge Scholars Program and serves as a mentor to the scholars. McCleary appreciates getting to know the community of King-Morgridge Scholars on campus and seeing them grow and flourish in their respective fields.
Prior to joining the International Division at the University of Wisconsin, McCleary managed the day-to-day operations of the Global Engagement Office in the School of Education where she offered support to departments, units, faculty, students and visiting scholars engaged in globally-focused work. She previously served as an Associate Researcher with the LEAD Center in the Wisconsin Center for Education research, and was the Director of Global Education at Washington College in Maryland. She’s worked on project teams that have collaborated with scholars, practitioners, youth, and communities in Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Turkmenistan, and Uganda, and was a Fulbright Research Scholar to Spain. McCleary received her PhD in Comparative International Development Education from the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development at the University of Minnesota. She did her MEd in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University, and has a BA in Spanish and History from Muhlenberg College.
Jay Stokes
Program Manager of King-Morgridge Scholars Program
Stokes is the point of contact for the King-Morgridge Scholars from acceptance through graduation and supports the scholars in all aspects of their academic, professional, and personal pursuits. He brings over a decade of experience in student development and is eager to cultivate a trusting, cohesive, and joyful community for the King-Morgridge Scholars program.
Most recently, Stokes was as an International Engagement Coordinator at International Student Services (ISS), where he implemented the International Peer Mentor (IPM) program, guided student leaders in facilitating the Global Cafe series, managed the Global Badger Experience Grant, and supported ISS Affiliated Registered Student Organizations. Prior to joining the ISS team at the University of Wisconsin, he served as a Program Coordinator for Education Abroad at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY) and a Residence Hall Director for Northern Arizona University.
Stokes completed his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Master of Education in Counseling with a specialization in Student Affairs from Northern Arizona University.
Leo Schauer
Program Manager of High Impact Programs
Schauer is the Program Manager of High Impact Programs at the International Division. As an international educator, he is a dedicated advocate of global-minded intercultural competence development. Schauer finds inspiration in the exchange of knowledge across diverse communities and civilizations, spanning from the Global South to the Global North, East to West, rural to urban, and land to sea. His upbringing exposed him to diverse languages, religions, and traditions, fostering an appreciation for values such as gratitude, solidarity, and integrity, embodied in the Hakka Principles (客家精神).
Before joining the International Division, Schauer served as the Assistant Director of International Affairs at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Over the past several years, he has been actively exploring ways to foster intercultural understanding through higher education while providing support to international students in the U.S. He is eager to contribute to the King-Morgridge Scholars Program by mentoring current King-Morgridge Scholars, organizing events, and overseeing communications, including managing the program’s website.
As an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin, Schauer studied Indonesian while earning his master’s degree. He also successfully completed his second master’s degree at the University of Illinois, further expanding his academic expertise and deepening his knowledge in the field of international and multicultural education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Malaysia and has also studied in Germany, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and England.