Michael Gousha

Mike Gousha serves as senior advisor in law and public policy at Marquette University Law School.  An award-winning journalist, Gousha helped lead efforts to create the Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy and Civic Education and continues to explore important public policy issues through his work at the Lubar Center. Gousha served as distinguished fellow in law and public policy from 2007 to 2021, hosted the Law School's "On the Issues" conversation series, and was the sole moderator of numerous political debates held at the Law School, including the final debate of Wisconsin's historic 2012 recall election for Governor. In addition to his work at Marquette, Gousha was a contributing anchor and political analyst at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, where he hosted the statewide political program, "UpFront with Mike Gousha." He was also co-producer of the 2020 documentary "America's Socialist Experiment," which examined the nearly half-century when the city of Milwaukee was led by socialist mayors. The documentary aired on PBS affiliates nationwide.

Gousha joined Marquette Law School in 2007 after a 25 year career with WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee. During his tenure at WTMJ, he was lead anchor, reporter, and the host of the popular interview program "Sunday Night."

Gousha has earned numerous national and local honors during his journalism career.  In 2011, the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented Gousha with its Silver Circle Emmy for his contributions to broadcast journalism. He is a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame, and has received the Associated Press' prestigious Carol Brewer award for outstanding, long-term contributions to broadcast journalism in Wisconsin. He is also the recipient of the University of Wisconsin Journalism School's Distinguished Service Award, the United Community Center's Friends of the Hispanic Community Award, and the Milwaukee Urban League's Whitney M. Young Jr. Legacy Award.

Gousha graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1978 with a degree in journalism and currently serves on the advisory board of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the UW School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He has deep roots in the Milwaukee area. His father was a former superintendent of the Milwaukee Public Schools.