Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
College of Nursing Dean Announcement
I am very pleased to announce that Kim Litwack has been named Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee starting on June 1. Kim has been with UWM since 2004 and has served as Interim Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Nursing. The new dean earned her PhD in Educational Administration from Kent State University. Prior to coming to UWM, she taught at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI; University of New Mexico in Albuquerque; and Rush University in Chicago.
Kim brings a great combination of leadership skills, nursing knowledge and experience, and passion for the College’s mission to the position, and I am delighted to welcome her to this new role.
I would like to express my gratitude to Kristian O’Connor, Chair of the Search and Screen Committee and to the members of the Committee for their service to the University.
Kudos
– More than 3,400 students received their degrees at UWM’s 116th commencement yesterday. Congratulations and best wishes! Check out the Chancellor’s Carpool Karaoke with a few of our recent grads.
– Ionel Popa, Physics, is a recipient of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s 2017 Shaw Scientist Award for his research on cancer. Excellent news, Ionel!
– UWM’s Language Resource Center contributed a chapter in a newly published book, From Language Lab to Language Center and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of Language Center Design. The chapter title is, “Fostering a Language Center-Based Research Community.” Congratulations!
– The School of Education shared with me the proud news that the spring 2017 teacher candidates in the School of Education and the Peck School of the Arts have achieved a 97% pass rate on the edTPA, a new state-mandated performance assessment. Congratulations to the students and faculty and thank you to Angel Hessel, UWM’s edTPA Coordinator, and Les Johnson, Information Processing Consultant, for laying the groundwork for success, working with faculty, and supporting students!
– UWM’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was well represented at the UW System Teaching and Learning Conference in LaCrosse: Diane Reddy, Connie Schroeder, and Anita Samuel presented, “Increasing Success on Your Campus” and Diane Reddy, Dylan Barth, and Ray Fleming (Psychology) presented, “Impact of Using Pattern with Messaging about How to Study in a Focused, Productive Fashion.”
– Sarah E. Kienzler (Psychology), Diane Reddy (CETL & Psychology), and Heidi M. Pfeiffer (Psychology) presented, “Social referents influence women’s hormonal contraceptive decisions?” at an Invited Ed Talk presented for the Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s 2017 Safe Healthy Strong Conference in Milwaukee.
Evaluation
This year, in accordance with Faculty Document 2137R3, the faculty evaluated the provost in an electronic survey sent to all faculty, and instructional academic staff with appointments of 50% or greater. Those who completed the survey may review the report in the Secretary of the University’s office. Contact Trudy Turner (trudy@uwm.edu) for further detail.
The Week
Monday
I start the Monday morning, as usual, with my weekly meeting with Robin Van Harpen (we will attend the SPC meeting) and a meeting of the Integrated Shared services co-sponsors. I have my weekly staff meeting, and meetings with Dave Clark and Joely Urdan. There is also a dinner with a potential international pathway partner. Over the course of the week, I’m interviewing candidates for the position of Interim Director, School of Continuing Education.
Tuesday
There is a deans’ morning meeting and I’m out of the office for the remainder of the day.
Wednesday
I have a Chancellor’s campus budget meeting, my weekly meeting with the Chancellor, an advising meeting, and meetings with Peter Sands and Marija Gajdardziska-Josifovska.
Thursday
I’m attending a meeting of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee, a planning meeting for the June Board of Regents meeting in Milwaukee, and a CEMAT co-chairs meeting. I also have meetings with Trudy Turner, John Reisel, Tom Luljak, and Mark Harris. I plan to stop by the retirement celebration of long-serving School of Education colleague Linda Post as well. Best wishes, Linda, and thank you for your exceptional work!
Friday
This is an administrative work day with fewer meetings!
Announcements
UWM Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies announces 2016-17 student award winners
Other
For cricket lovers: The ICC Champions Trophy starts June 1 in England. My prediction is either England or South Africa will walk away with the honors.
Take care,
Johannes
Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs