Eric Carlsson
Fellows Program Director
Eric has spent much of his life, both as a student and a teacher, in the public university setting and has long experience mentoring students. He loves exploring the big questions about life and faith with students at any stage of their spiritual journeys. Eric holds a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan, an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Alongside his role at Upper House, he teaches History and Religious Studies at UW–Madison. Eric is married to Cindy, and they have three grown sons. His other loves include travel, language, music of many kinds, hikes around Lake Wingra, and the company of friends.
Cameron Anderson
Track Instructor
Cam serves as Associate Director at Upper House. He holds a B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and he completed post-graduate coursework in Art History and Aesthetics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With co-editor G. W. Hansen, Cam recently published God in the Modern Wing: Viewing Art Through the Eyes of Faith (IVP Academic, 2021). His earlier book is The Faithful Artist: A Vision for Art and Evangelicalism (IVP Academic, 2016). Although Cam is an active studio artist, speaker, and blogger, when you hang out with him (probably at Indie Cafe) he will mostly talk about his grandkids, Thomas and Abby. Cam and his wife, Cynthia (C.K.), have resided in Madison since 1986.
Kevin Chau
Track Instructor
Kevin enjoys helping people think deeply about how the Bible as an ancient book relates to our modern lives. He is on the Hebrew department faculty at the University of the Free State, South Africa, where he teaches remotely from Madison. After doing an M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary, he came to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. in Hebrew, with a focus on biblical poetry. As a graduate student, he also served as a T.A. in Chemistry. He is grateful for his background in science, which helps him consider how the Bible can be approached through multiple lenses. When not working, Kevin wanders the streams of Wisconsin, flyfishing for trout. Kevin is married to Suzanna and has two sons in college.
Rebecca Cooks
Fellows Executive Team Member
Rebecca values purposeful gatherings and spiritual formation in her roles as an event curator, instructor in the Fellows Program, and director of the Upper House Intern Program. On any given day, you will find her mentoring college students, emceeing a conference, or leading a cohort on African-American history. Rebecca was a Chancellor’s Scholar at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a B.A. in French and International Studies—Global Security. Since graduating, she has worked with multiple ministries in event coordination and teaching. She was recently recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 51 Most Influential Black Leaders of 2023. Rebecca delights in living in Madison, and she spends her time loving her friends as family, training in taekwondo, hunting for the best chai latte, and singing whatever Broadway tune comes to mind.
Jon Dahl
Track Instructor
Jon has served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Graduate & Faculty Ministry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for the past 29 years. Formerly, he worked as a resource conservationist. Jon has a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering Technology from UW–Platteville and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Regent College at the University of British Columbia. His wife, Julie, is a faculty associate at UW–Madison’s Department of Continuing Studies. They have two sons, Erik and Hans. Jon enjoys studying UW–Madison as an institution and researching its history. He likes working on houses, cars, and bicycles, but he enjoys nothing more than folding up in a rocking chair with a good book.
Maggie Flamingo
Track Instructor
Maggie Flamingo has been teaching and learning in the Madison area for the past 15 years. She remains eternally hopeful that she will complete her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the near future. Her research centers on American evangelicalism and the intersections between family, theology, culture, and politics. Her teaching interests range far and wide, from language education to Constitutional history to the American culture wars. Maggie has a B.A. in History from UW–Stevens Point and an M.A. in History from UW–Madison. She spends her spare time coaching Speech & Debate, playing with her dog, and nursing her dying plants back to health.
Jean Geran
Fellows Executive Team Member
Jean is a senior advisor at Upper House and has a passion for justice and shining God’s light in dark places. She loves to mentor students and work with people of different faiths and backgrounds who share this passion. As 4W Director for Human Rights, Child Protection, and Global Policy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Jean leads an anti-human trafficking project called STREETS and has taught related courses as a Visiting Distinguished Lecturer. She earned a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University, an M.S. from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. from UW–Madison. Jean is married to Chris and lives in Oshkosh with her family. You’ll find her happiest hanging out with eagles, chickadees, deer and other critters on the shores of Huron Bay in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Dan Hummel
Track Instructor
Dan cares for the University of Wisconsin–Madison and its community, especially for the students and faculty who make it a world-class environment for research, teaching, and service. After earning his Ph.D. in U.S. history from UW–Madison, Dan has published widely on American religion and culture. His most recent book is The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Eerdmans, 2023). His primary role at the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation is Director of The Lumen Center, an initiative supporting scholarly engagement at UW–Madison and beyond. Dan is married to Veronica, and they stay busy raising three boys. Dan enjoys reading, walks around UW’s campus, and the occasional video game.