Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
Welcome back!
Welcome back to all of our students as the Spring semester begins.
Kudos
Kim Blaeser (English) and Val Klump (Freshwater Sciences) were selected as 2020 Academy Fellows by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Congratulations on your noteworthy achievements, Kim and Val!
Lisa Silverman (Jewish Studies, History) was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Association for Jewish Studies, the leading learned society in the field. Well done, Lisa!
Karyn Frick’s (Psychology) new book, “Estrogens and Memory: Basic Research and Clinical Implications,” was published this month by Oxford University Press. Congratulations, Karyn!
UWM’s online bachelor’s programs moved up one notch in the U.S. News & World Report College Rating for 2020. We are now ranked 48th in the nation, compared to 49th last year (out of 358 institutions). Within the UW System, we are tied with Whitewater for the highest rank. Kudos to our online faculty, support staff, program administrators, and the UWM Online team, led by Laura Pedrick!
Cassandra Phillips (College of General Studies) recently published three articles. Well done, Cassandra!
UWM’s 5th annual Teaching and Learning Symposium was a tremendous success – 54 colleagues contributed to the program and 288 instructors and staff engaged in the full-day event. Congratulations to the CETL team for organizing this important event!
Pathway Advising
The Office of Central Advising has officially changed its name to Pathway Advising. As a temporary home for new freshman students who are undecided about their college major or who are determined, through the admission process, to need additional support before transitioning into their chosen major, UWM’s Pathway Advising utilizes metamajors as an avenue for students’ academic exploration and skill-building, leading to a permanent affiliation with one of UWM’s schools or colleges by the end of students’ first year. Find more information at their revamped website.
In the News
Mark Peterson (College of General Studies) discussed the intersection of mythology, philosophy, and world religions in Star Wars on WUWM’s Lake Effect.
Jeffrey Sommers (African and African Diaspora Studies) wrote an opinion piece, “Wisconsin Needs Another Dane County,” as a guest columnist for Madison.com
Christopher Medina-Kirchner, a former UWM student who worked with Krista Lisdahl while at UWM, is now conducting ground-breaking research at Columbia. This inspiring article describes the positive impact UWM, the McNair program, and faculty mentorship had on his life.
The Week
Tuesday
In the morning, I have a meeting with Chia Vang, my monthly meeting with Stan Stojkovic, a Data Science meeting, and my one-on-one with Dave Clark. In the afternoon, I have the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet meeting, a meeting with Enrollment Management, and I’ll attend the University Committee meeting. I also have a 2030 Think Tank Co-Chairs meeting with the Chancellor followed by my weekly meeting with the Chancellor.
Wednesday
Today, I have standing meetings with Brian Thompson and Ron Perez, a meeting with Val Klump and one of our donors, I’ll provide remarks for the Library Moebius Awards, I’ll attend a meeting with Regent Beightol who visits our campus, and I have my monthly meeting with Purush Papatla (Purush is the director of the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute).
Thursday
The Chancellor’s Retreat on UWM’s Strategic Directions is today, followed by the Faculty Senate meeting.
Friday
In the morning, I have a Data Science meeting, my standing meeting with Simon Bronner, and a meeting with Kaushal Chari and Rockwell Automation Vice President Lyman Tschanz. In the afternoon, I meet with several of my direct reports and in the evening, I’ll attend the Executive MBA Class of 2020 graduation dinner and celebration.
Announcements
Classroom Safety Training
Instructor-focused classroom and campus safety training is once again underway with seven sessions offered this semester. Register online. Contact Aundria Johnson (414-229-4627, aundria@uwm.edu) for assistance with the sign-up procedure. For questions regarding the content of the training, contact Officer Craig Rafferty (414-229-4627, rafferty@uwm.edu).
On-Campus Fitness Classes
The UWM Wellness Team is offering on-campus fitness classes this spring for employees. Classes are offered either over the lunch hour or immediately after work hours. Classes run 45 minutes and are taught by certified instructors. Class offerings include Yoga, PiYo, and Zumba. Employees can choose to pay for an eight-class series or an unlimited pass. Classes begin the week of January 21. Information and registration can be found on the UWM Spring Fitness Class website.
Other
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – A life-long listener.
Take care,
Johannes
Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs