Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.

Kudos

Hanjoo Lee and Chris Larson (both Psychology), along with collaborators from UWM and Marquette, were awarded an NIH R61 grant for their project entitled, “Neurobehavioral mechanisms of response inhibition training for obsessive-compulsive spectrum conditions.” Congratulations, Hanjoo, Chris, and team! 

Matt Petering (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering) and graduate student Mohammad Khamechian consulted with Sarah Rothmann-Mandl (Registrar’s Office) and created a unique algorithm that assigns multiple classrooms to each course section. They have also designed a COVID-19 back-up plan that was presented to campus leadership. Both departments are excited to explore further applications of the algorithm to other campus scenarios. Well done, Matt, Mohammad, and Sarah! 

The Zilber School of Public Health received reaccreditation for the full seven years from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Kudos to all who contributed to the success of this process! 

Carolyn Esswein (Architecture) planned and facilitated an all-day charette to envision ideas for activating the downtown Highland Pedestrian Bridge. Local stakeholders are looking for creative strategies to connect the Deer District to Water Street, providing a safe and exciting destination. More than 50 PSOA and SARUP students participated! Local architects, landscape architects, city leaders, and faculty from PSOA and SARUP provided input. Kudos to all! 

In the News 

Ted Lentz (Criminal Justice and Criminology) was interviewed for a story in TIME about homicides in Milwaukee.  

Pamela Harris (Mathematical Sciences) was featured on NPR’s science podcast Short Wave. In the episode entitled, “Choose Your Own (Math) Adventure, she discussed writing a scholarly mathematics paper in the style of Choose Your Own Adventure books. 

Milwaukee Athletics 

Megan Walstad, of the Milwaukee women’s basketball team, was named to the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year pre-season watch list, presented by Her Hoop Stats. Walstad is the only Horizon League representative on the list as one of 25 players from 25 schools and 13 conferences. 

Both Milwaukee basketball teams recently took part in “Media Day” activities, with numerous members of the local sports media scene on hand at the Pavilion to help set the stage for the new campaign. View the press conferences and interviews from head coaches Bart Lundy and Kyle Rechlicz, as well as the players. 

The Week in Retrospect 

On Monday, I had a chance to meet with the Academic Staff Committee and provide updates. On Tuesday, I met with the third candidate for the Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications position. I also visited the University Committee and discussed our COVID-19 planning, as well as other topics. On Wednesday, I met with the Student Association leadership and discussed accessibility issues, the cold and flu season, their success in diversifying senate membership, and other topics. I also met with the founder of the Asian University for Women, which offers educational opportunities that are not available in their home countries to women in Asia. The day ended with a wonderful celebration of our talented faculty and staff at the Fall Awards Ceremony and a time of remembrance for Ed Burgess and Ron Perez at the UWM Fire Circle. On Thursday, I joined the APBC and Faculty Senate for updates. Friday includes a Music reaccreditation visit and the bimonthly Provost meeting. 

Announcements 

• COVID-19 Awareness and Reporting
  As we head into colder months, this week’s UWM Report encourages everyone to remain vigilant and continue best practices: get a vaccination booster, wear masks indoors, and self-report if one tests positive. Individual efforts collectively make us all safer. 

• School/College Realignment
  The 2030 Action Plan for school/college realignment continues to move forward. Starting this week, select webpages in the UWM domain will include a banner providing a link to more realignment information. A new informational document for advisors and recruiters is available and being distributed through the Advisors and Counselors Network. Also, the realignment website is updated regularly and contains UWM’s academic structure starting July 1, 2023. 

• 2023-2024 Pounce on FAFSA
  Are you meeting with students? Encourage them to submit their FAFSA. 2023-2024 FAFSA filing is underway. It is important to complete the FAFSA NOW as some programs have limited funds. More information. 

• Moon Shot for Equity
  The quarterly update on the Moon Shot for Equity within our region reveals capacity building and impact largely in the areas of securing funding for retention grants, additional student enrollment, and hold reforms. Preparation is underway for participation in year three that includes ongoing assessment, sustaining successful reforms and practices, adding new best practices, and constant communication of impact to internal and external stakeholders. Read more.

• Cybersecurity
  Vishing and Smshing scams can be difficult to identify in the moment but learning about their red flags before you get that suspicious call or text can help keep you safe. Educate yourself about identifying Vishing and Smshing scams before they can get to your information.