Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Finalist Visits
Beginning this week, UWM is hosting finalists for the position of Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UWM. The finalists and their interview dates are:
- Andrew Thompson (“A.T”) Miller (Monday, November 15)
- Kenny Emmanuel Yarbrough (Wednesday, November 17)
- Chia Youyee Vang (Tuesday, November 23)
During each visit, from 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m., the candidates will make a presentation at a Teams Live open forum that is open to all, at which audience members may ask live questions of the candidates. Details about the position, the candidates, Teams connection, and the open forums can be found on the Finalists page.
Kudos
Celeste Campos-Castillo (Sociology) just received two grants! Her proposal, “Chatbots as Social Support Actors (CASSA),” received a $50,000 award from Facebook. She and Nathaniel Stern (Art & Design; Mechanical Engineering) received a $150,000 grant from the National Education Association for their project, “ABLE: Autism Brilliance Lab for Entrepreneurship.” Congratulations, Celeste and Nathaniel!
Kimberly Blaeser (English and American Indian Studies) is November 2021 guest editor for the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day feature which reaches 300,000 plus subscribers. In an interview featured online, Blaeser discusses her curatorial approach and her own creative work. Well done, Kim!
In the News
Matthew Friedel (Information Studies) shared insights on Blockchain and the future of Bitcoin in a TMJ4 interview.
The Week
Monday
I start the week with an interview with DEI finalist Andrew Thompson “A.T.” Miller, followed by my standing meeting with Robin Van Harpen, the bi-weekly CEMAT meeting, the Academic Staff Committee meeting where I’ll provide an Academic Affairs update, the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet meeting, my bi-weekly meeting with Paul Klajbor, my weekly check-in with Dave Clark and Kay Eilers, a Central Support and Infrastructure Budget Allocation meeting, and a 2030 planning meeting.
Tuesday
In the morning, I have the Coronavirus Management Team (CMT) Leadership meeting, an M3 update with Chancellor Mone, and an Enterprise Directions Council meeting. In the afternoon, I have a meeting with the Department of Urban Planning, a University Committee meeting, and my standing meeting with Jennifer Abele. After my one-on-one meeting with the Chancellor, we will meet with UW System Interim Vice President for University Relations Jeff Buhrandt, then I have a WARF Planning meeting.
Wednesday
Today, I have an interview with DEI finalist Kenny Yarbrough, the Deans Morning Meeting, my one-on-ones with Nicole Oswald and Kaushal Chari, the Length of Service rehearsal, my one-on-one with Tim Behrens, my monthly meeting with Tim Behrens and Amy Harley, and the Campus Length of Service Ceremony.
Thursday
In the morning, I will make a few remarks at the advising town hall with Dave Clark, followed by the monthly Integrated Support Services Executive Sponsors update, a 2030 meeting with leadership, and my one-on-one with Joely Urdan. In the afternoon, I have a Campus Budget Planning meeting and the Faculty Senate meeting.
Friday
Today, I have a meeting with Student Association leadership, a follow-up budget meeting with Drew Knab, and the November Associate Deans meeting. I’ll also attend to administrative matters.
Announcements
Length of Service Awards
UWM’s annual Length of Service Awards Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17. The ceremony will be held in-person in the UWM Student Union Ballroom and will be streamed live for those not able to attend. See a list of this year’s recipients.
Milwaukee Shapes the Universe
Join a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by the UWM Planetarium and UWM Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and moderated by Planetarium Director Jean Creighton, the webinar focuses on space research and technologies being innovated in Milwaukee. UWM researchers will share their latest technologies and ideas around space tech and innovation. This week’s panelist is Dr. Prasenjit Guptasarma (Physics). The event is free but registration is required.
UWM Climate Action Planning – Open Forum
During the past two years, more than 90 UWM stakeholders have worked through SE Wisconsin’s climate hazards and put forward a plan to mitigate emissions, as well as adapt to a changing climate. The draft will be under review with specific stakeholders throughout the next few months. An open forum for the entire UWM community will be held on Thursday, November 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Union Concourse.
Community Service
Get in the holiday cheer and join us at the House of Peace Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive Event on Friday, December 10 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. Volunteers needed to help sort and organize clothes and toys. Transportation will be provided to and from the volunteer event. Registration.
Other
Well done to the USA men’s soccer team for their victory over Mexico, to Ireland for beating the All Blacks, and to Australia for winning the T20 World Cup.
Take care,
Johannes
Johannes Britz