Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
2030 Feature of the Week
The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, Joan Nesbitt, provided an update to the Faculty Senate on Thursday, April 20 that included an overview of UWM’s 10-year fundraising history, gifts of note in 2023, as well as the reorganization of University Advancement. Read the report.
Enrollment Management Feature of the Week
Fostering Success at UWM: A program that helps foster youth and other students who experienced out-of-home care enroll and graduate from UWM. Nationally, only 3% of foster youth graduate from college. This program hopes to change that by providing support to students every step of the way. Located in Mitchell Hall 163 and part of the Student Success Center, Fostering Success at UWM provides college success coaching to over 100 current students and more than 60 prospective students. Additional supports include a supply closet where students can get college necessities, a voucher program with the Student Health and Wellness Center where students can get medication when they are sick, a student organization, student lounge, and much more. This year we are proud to say that we have 20 students who have applied for graduation! Interested in volunteering or supporting Fostering Success at UWM? Volunteer to be a Scholarship Mentor or bake treats for care packages by emailing Tawney Latona at tawney@uwm.edu. Donate funds or view our wish list at uwm.edu/fosteringsuccess.
In the News
William Krueger and Matthew Jarosz (both in SARUP, Historic Preservation Institute) are featured in a piece by Milwaukee Independent that details the Institute’s laser scanning and photogrammetry technologies and students’ role in helping the Pabst Mansion prepare for a proposed preservation project on its 1893 pavilion. The institute’s innovative approach to producing detailed 3D models of historic terracotta architectural elements saves a considerable amount of time and money while providing students with valuable skills in a growing industry.
Phyllis King and Laura Pedrick (both in Academic Affairs) were featured in an article about microcredentials in EdTech Magazine.
Milwaukee Athletics
The fourth episode of the “PounceCast” – the newest feature that provides more content and helps tell the stories behind Milwaukee Panther Athletics – is now available. The podcast, hosted by Matt Menzl, is designed to take listeners behind the scenes with key members of the Panther community. The fourth episode (30:31) features Wayne Larrivee.
The Milwaukee soccer teams have announced their 2023 fall schedules. The women start the regular season at Notre Dame August 17. The men open the 2023 slate at home against Chicago State August 27.
The Week in Retrospect
I began the week meeting with the Academic Staff Committee where I provided updates and discussed trends in the types of Academic Staff contracts. At the Chancellor’s cabinet meeting, Dev Venugolpalan gave a presentation on the upcoming Higher Learning Commission’s reaccreditation site visit in early May. On Tuesday, I met with the University Committee and provided updates on our outreach to Cardinal Stritch University and the recent Town Hall for Washington County faculty and staff. I also participated in an interview with the third candidate for Chief Information Officer, Scott Genung. The highlight of Wednesday was the Chapman Society Luncheon for UWM donors. Chia Vang and David Pate provided remarks based on their co-edited book, “Telling Our Stories: The History of Diversity at UWM.” On Thursday, I provided updates at the APBC and the Faculty Senate meetings. Today, our new Provost, Andrew Daire, is on campus and I joined him for several meetings.
Announcements
- Feedback for CIO Finalists
Thank you to all who attended Chief Information Officer (CIO) finalist interview sessions during the past two weeks. Your input is important when making a final selection. Please provide feedback for each candidate using the links provided on the CIO Finalists website. Please submit your responses by Sunday, April 23.
- Graduate Student Virtual Orientations for Fall 2023
Dates for the new graduate student virtual orientations for Fall 2023 are posted to the Graduate School website. Graduate School orientations are required for all new graduate students, all new graduate assistants (Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and Research Assistants), all new Teaching Assistants (CETL training), and all new international graduate students. These orientations complement each other and provide important information and resources new graduate students and assistants need to succeed in their studies and as UWM employees. Program-specific orientations should be scheduled around the university-wide virtual orientations:
Thursday, August 24
CIE: International Grad Students with Assistantship
Monday, August 28
9am – 12pm: All New Graduate Students
1pm – 3:30pm: All New Graduate Assistants
Tuesday, August 29
9am – 4:30pm: All New Teaching Assistants CETL Training
Thursday, August 31
CIE: International UGs, Grad Students w/o Assistantship, and any Grad Students who missed the 24th.
- Expanded Mental Health Services for Students
Mantra Health, in collaboration with UWM’s Student Health and Wellness Center (SHAW), has expanded the availability of teletherapy services for students to include evening and weekend appointments and additional identify-specific counselors. UWM students also have access to the new UW Mental Health Support Line 24/7. Bilingual services in English or Spanish are available via phone or text at (888) 531-2142. Students can also get help via chat by sending a message through the UW Mental Health Portal. For more information about Mantra Health and the 24/7 support line, visit SHAW’s extending counseling services webpage.
- Libraries Provide Trial Access to Anatomy Resources
UWM Libraries has been granted trial access to two anatomy resources until May 19, 2023. Anatomy.tv is an interactive educational resource covering general anatomy, clinical specialties, and detailed topics such as neuroanatomy and comparative physiology, using 3D models, texts, slides, and video clips. Visible Body Suite is an interactive 3D anatomy tool that includes a human anatomy atlas, comprehensive references for biological concepts and processes, and physiology animations. PLEASE NOTE: a personal account is required to use this resource. If you already have a Visible Body Courseware account, please use a different email address to create a trial Web Suite account. Both resources are available on the UWM Libraries’ A-Z databases webpage. Please provide feedback on the quality and usefulness of these resources to Robert Karels, Head of Collection Management, at rkarels@uwm.edu.
Campus Events
- Free TechTraining Courses in April
Join UWM TechTraining on Tuesday, April 25 at 10am for a Teams live event training session entitled, “Excel Fundamentals.” No registration necessary. More information.
- Animation Showcase
Join the PSOA Department of Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres for the Animated Showcase and Animation from the Archives on Thursday, April 27 at 7pm in the Union Cinema. This special event focuses on the unique qualities of animation as a medium, and the ways that it can create moments of wonder, amazement, and enchantment.
- New Music MKE
The PSOA Music Composition and Technology program presents PEAK, an electronic music concert on Thursday, April 27 at 7:30pm in the Music Building Room B90. The concert, which is part of the New Music Milwaukee Series, is free and open to the public.
- 15th Annual UWM Undergraduate Research Symposium
More than 250 UWM undergraduates will present outcomes from collaborations with their faculty and staff mentors via poster and oral presentations in the UWM Student Union Ballroom on Friday, April 28 from 8am – 1pm. Learn more about the many ways UWM undergraduates are involved in the R1 research mission. At noon, awards will be given to recognize Outstanding Presentations, and the UWM Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year will be announced. More information.
- already, no longer, not yet
The PSOA Department of Art and Design invites you to celebrate the graduating MFA artists whose work is on view at Kenilworth Square East Gallery. The exhibition, “already, no longer, not yet,” opens with a reception and panel presentation on Friday, April 28 from 5 – 9pm in the 4th Floor Gallery. The exhibit runs through May 20.
- Biometric Screening
Attend a Free Health Assessment from Well Wisconsin in Partnership with Human Resources. This event, for employees who currently have our State Group Health Insurance, will take place from 7am – 5pm on Tuesday, May 2 in the Union Ballroom; or 7am – 1pm on Thursday, May 4 in the Union Fireside Lounge. Space is limited and walk-ins will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. For more information, log into webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.
- Appreciation and Reaccreditation Celebration
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 17, 1:30 – 3:30pm. Help us recognize the efforts of everyone across campus who contributed to the HLC Reaccreditation, and also Vice Provost Dev Venugopalan, who will be retiring this summer. Join us on Wednesday, May 17 from 1:30 – 3:30pm in the Library 4th Floor Conference Center. A brief program will begin at 2pm followed by coffee and cake.
- Urban Studies Research Forum
The Urban Studies Program will hold its 25th Annual Student Research Forum on Friday, May 5 from noon – 5:30pm in the Alumni Fireside Lounge. The Keynote Speaker will be Claire Dunning (University of Maryland, College Park). More information.
Something Different
We are used to long bird migrations, but small insects crossing oceans?
Take care,
Scott
Scott Gronert
Interim Provost