Badger Precollege
Carrie Backman
Assistant Director of Badger Precollege Arts Programs/Program Director of Summer Music Clinic
Carrie Backman is the Program Director of Summer Music Clinic, Mini Music Clinics and Summer Arts Clinic with Badger Precollege at UW–Madison and is the Assistant Director of Badger Precollege Arts Programs. She also manages and created the Odyssey Junior Music Program. Carrie first attended Summer Music Clinic 28 years ago as a 6th grade trumpet student and has attended, taught or worked at every Summer Music Clinic since! She believes in the transformative experience possible through an inspirational time in a precollege program on the UW–Madison campus. Carrie teaches band, low brass and music education techniques courses at Edgewood College in Madison, WI. She serves as the WMEA (Wisconsin Music Educators Association) South Central Vice President and is a member of the Committee for Women in the University at UW–Madison. She previously taught instrumental music (band, orchestra, jazz, pit orchestra) at Edgewood High School in Madison for 17 years and 5-12 band at Murray County Central School District in Slayton, MN. She served as the Assistant Director of the University of Minnesota Marching Band in 2016-2017. Backman works to be an advocate for empowering diverse student and artistic voices, creativity and excellence in all students and for the importance of and human need for consistent quality arts education in the lives of each student that is accessible and equitable. Backman is a curriculum writer for BandQuest and ChoralQuest through the American Composers Forum, is the music director for the Overture Center's Jerry Awards High School Musical Theatre Program, is a conductor at Children's Theatre of Madison and Four Seasons Theatre, is a member of the World Adult Wind Orchestra Project, guest conductor of the Oakwood Chamber Players, and free lances as a conductor/educator, trombonist and euphonium player. She is a sought after clinician in large group ensemble and small group settings and presenter on music education. Backman is the recipient of a College Band Directors National Association "Women in Conducting" Grant, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles conducting grant and a grant to study at Jazz at Lincoln Center. She is a 2015 recipient of the Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship for excellence in teaching, a 2016 finalist for the Northwestern University Distinguished Teaching Award, and the 2019 Madison Area Music Association Music Teacher of the Year. Backman received her B.M. in Music Education with a focus in euphonium performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, her Masters of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL, and has pursued advanced level studies in wind band conducting at UW–Madison.
Sara Bembenek-Saborio
International Education Coordinator
Sara Bembenek-Saborio is an International Program Coordinator for Badger Precollege, specifically supporting EducationUSA Academy & Connects and international recruitment. Sara loves engaging with and connecting students from all over the world to share experiences and ideas through dynamic discussion and creative projects. Sara presently resides in Costa Rica and loves exploring this new country on weekends. In her free time, you’ll find her trekking through the outdoors, reading, cooking, dancing, and spending time with family.
Katie Effertz
Associate Director of Operations and Residential Programs
Katie Effertz oversees high school and middle school residential programming for Badger Precollege. She manages social media and online course platforms, Badger Precollege websites and supports in community outreach initiatives and partnerships.
Christopher Pevey Harry
Assistant Dean
Christopher Pevey Harry provides leadership for the Precollege Programming unit. He cultivates relationships with campus partners and fosters collaborative relationships with academic departments, instructors, student life staff, advisors, and administrative support units.
Aphra Mednick
Associate Dean
Aphra Mednick provides leadership and strategy for programming and campus support units in the division including Summer Term, Badger Precollege, Professional Degrees and Certificates, Online Undergraduate Degree, Non-credit Professional Development and the Office of Youth Protection.
Lucas Murray
Badger Precollege Educational Coordinator
Danny Puser
Badger Precollege Project Coordinator
Danny is the Badger Precollege Project Coordinator. They work with the precollege program staff to support efficient summer programming and coordinate program updates and improvements. They also support with seasonal staff hiring processes and commuter program logistics.
Kate Ryan
Badger Precollege Program Coordinator
Kate Ryan serves as a program coordinator for the precollege team with the Division of Continuing Studies. She is very passionate about experiential learning, especially in an international capacity. Kate loves to travel both domestically and abroad. She also enjoys gardening, meditation, rock climbing, biking and new experiences.
Olha Skyba
Associate Director of Academics and Development Department:
Olha Skyba manages the academic and curricular processes for Badger Precollege. She also oversees scholarship and fundraising initiatives.
Tracy Spraetz
Summer Academic Program Manager
Tracy Spraetz manages the Early Start programs for incoming students offered through the Summer Term office.
Payton Welling
Summer Special Project Coordinator
Payton works with and supports multiple teams within the Academic and Student Programming unit with project coordination, purchasing, travel arrangements, scheduling and more.
Jamison Wendlandt
Badger Precollege Program Coordinator
Jamison Wendlandt is a Program Coordinator for Badger Summer Scholars (BSS) and Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). He also works with the College Ready Program that prepares students for college success and conducts outreach to schools across Wisconsin. As a former music educator and reflective practitioner, Jamison's mission is to facilitate student success and inquiry. He is passionate about leadership and fostering environments that allow for continued growth.