January 27, 2023  |  News & Events, Provost's Updates, Sad News, Timely Announcements

Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
2030 Feature of the Week
As part of the Aligning and Engaging Workforce Action Team, a new website has been launched that highlights the generous benefit packages that support and enrich UWM’s staff and faculty: Benefits to Benefit You and Your Life | Human Resources (uwm.edu). The teams were present at the Faculty Senate on Thursday, January 26.
Enrollment Management Feature of the Week
A cross-functional team is working on the Access to a Second Chance for Adult Students project as part of the Moon Shot for Equity efforts. This group is currently examining UWM’s stop-out population to identify opportunities for these students to return to UWM and complete what they started. Much work is underway to identify potential barriers and find solutions to address those.
Kudos
Wilkistar Otieno (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering) was named the 2022 STEM Forward Engineer of the Year, an award that recognizes outstanding contributors to the engineering profession from the greater Milwaukee area. Congratulations, Wilkistar!
Russell Cuhel and Carmen Aguilar (Freshwater Sciences) and five students went out on our R/V Neeskay to collect January water samples that will contribute to a decades-long monitoring research project. The Neeskay is the only vessel that conducts Great Lakes research year-round. Well done, Russell, Carmen, and students!
U.S. News Online Program Rankings
UWM’s online bachelor’s programs were ranked No. 35 nationwide, up from 39 last year. The ranking was the highest for any university in Wisconsin. UWM Online offers 12 online bachelor’s degrees, including four in the UW Flexible Option competency-based delivery mode. UWM’s online psychology program ranked No. 9, same as last year, while its online bachelor’s programs ranked No. 21 for veterans, up five spots from last year. The online master’s in education program at UWM ranked No. 189, a rise of 10 spots from last year. Kudos to university faculty and staff and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for their excellent work in online instruction!
In the News
Sandra McLellan (Freshwater Sciences) was quoted in an NBC News article about including wastewater from planes and at airports as part of a nationwide surveillance system for coronavirus and other contagious pathogens.
Milwaukee Athletics
The Milwaukee Athletic Department is happy to announce the creation of a new monthly podcast to start off the New Year in 2023. The “Pounce-Cast” is the newest feature and will provide more content and help tell the stories behind Milwaukee Panther Athletics. The first episode (24:50) features Milwaukee Director of Athletics Amanda Braun.
Milwaukee placed 157 student athletes on the 2022 Horizon League Fall Academic Honor Roll. The Panthers checked in at second place on the overall school list this time but have still led the Horizon League six times in the past nine semesters. Women’s track & field/cross country led the way for Milwaukee with 28 members.
The Week in Retrospect
On Monday, I attended a Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting that focused mainly on the sentiments sent to the campus in the Wednesday Campus Update. On Wednesday, I charged the search and screen committee for the inaugural dean of the new Zilber College of Public Health. On Thursday, I provided updates to the campus Academic Planning and Budget Committee and the Faculty Senate. In addition, I joined in the ceremonial “topping” event of UWM’s new Chemistry building, which has been rising rapidly along Kenwood Avenue. I am in Madison Friday with other UW System Provosts discussing internationalization efforts in the System. International students have been a bright spot in UWM enrollment this year and a target for further growth.
Announcements

  • Educational Technology Fee Call for Proposals
    The Advisory Committee on Educational Technology invites proposals from the campus for one-time funds in 2023-24 to support the facilitation, creation, and expansion of technology opportunities for students. More information. The deadline to submit proposals is February 28.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
    UWM is one of 27 local companies and organizations represented on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Milwaukee. In 2022, 36 UWM faculty, staff, and students became new mentors for BBBS – far outpacing all the other Board organizations combined. These new mentors and our continuing mentors help at risk youth in the Milwaukee area stay on track and achieve their goals, including becoming UWM students. More information or contact John Reisel (reisel@uwm.edu).
  • Dissertation Bootcamp
    The Graduate School’s Dissertation Bootcamp took place on January 10-12. Thirty-nine UWM dissertators participated across the three days of writing. Thank you to faculty and staff who lead break-out sessions to support student progress. The next Dissertation Bootcamp will be June 6-8.
  • Everyday Resilience Series
    Resilience is our innate ability to move through and adapt to challenges in a healthy way. The Lubar Entrepreneurship Center is hosting The Everyday Resilience series to explore how the neuroscience and principles and practices of mindfulness and self-compassion can serve as accessible tools to cultivate sustainable well-being and deepen a sense of purpose in your daily life and work. The entire campus community is invited. Register for the free sessions here!
  • UWM Career Closet
    A big thank you to the UWM Department of Human Resources for hosting an office-wide clothing drive to support the UWM Career Closet! The Career Closet provides students with FREE new and gently used professional clothing for interviews, career fairs, networking events, and more. If your department or division is interested in hosting a clothing drive and helping our students dress for success, please contact Lauren Lessac at lpeyton@uwm.edu.
  • Sad News
    David Weston Baker passed away on January 2 at the age of 88. He held degrees in Art Education from the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Minnesota, and Pennsylvania State University, where he received his PhD. During his long career, he taught art in Estherville, IA and Golden Valley, MN, and worked in Extension Services at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Madison. He served as the Director of Unified Arts in Brookline, MA, and headed the Art Education departments at Louisiana State University, Columbia Teachers College, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. David also edited School Arts magazine for many years and served as president of the National Art Education Association. David’s obituary is available online.

Campus Events

  • Winterdances 2023
    “Winterdances 2023: Longing is Disguise” features four premiers where artists activate personal and collective transformation of memory and visibility with a tenderness and fierceness of being. Featuring works from UW-Milwaukee Department of Dance faculty Daniel Burkholder, Mair Culbreth, Karlies Kelley, and guest artist Kia Smith, artistic director of the South Chicago Dance Theatre.
  • Lunar Light Planetarium Show
    Busy on weeknights or need something to do with the kids on the weekend? UWM Planetarium’s special matinee program, “Lunar Light,” sheds light on Earth’s closest neighbor, the Moon. Information and registration.
  • Career Fairs
    There are three Career Fairs being held in the coming weeks for students. All events will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Student Union Wisconsin Room. Please share this information:

    • February 22: Lubar College of Business Career Fair
    • February 23: Diversity Career Fair
    • February 24: Engineering and Computer Science Industry Expo
  • Panel Discussion
    Considering running for a leadership position such as department chair? Academic Affairs is hosting a Panel Discussion for Prospective Department Chairs on Friday, February 24 from 12-1 p.m. via Teams. Five current department chairs will offer their advice to rising chairs and answer questions from the audience. More information or contact Suzanne Boyd (sboyd@uwm.edu) for calendar invite.

Something Different
This little asteroid made a close pass by earth last night. It was no threat, but this bigger one coming by again in 2029 was once a worry.
Take care,
Scott

Scott Gronert
Interim Provost