UWM’s Black Lives Matter: A Global Comparative Study in the UK faculty-led study abroad program, developed through the collective efforts of the dedicated teams at CIE Study Abroad, the Department of Global Studies, and CEA CAPA Education Abroad, has been selected as a finalist for the GoAbroad Innovation Awards in the category of Innovative Study Abroad Program! This remarkable program, led by David Pate (Social Work) and Portia Cobb (Film), reflects an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive conversations and addressing important social issues. Congratulations David and Portia!

Congratulations to ALL ADC Length of Service members who received the combined Length of Service on February 14^th!  UWM held a combined Length of Service Ceremony to honor those employees who reached work milestones in 2022 as well as those awardees for 2023. CONGRATS!

Dr. Joan Prince, a former vice chancellor at UWM whose career also includes service at the United Nations, has been appointed to the UW System Board of Regents. Prince arrived at UWM at age 16, earned bachelor’s degrees in general studies and medical technology, a master’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences, a doctorate in urban education with a focus on STEM education. “After having the privilege and honor of receiving four degrees from the University of Wisconsin System, I know firsthand the level of academic excellence as well as the life-changing impact that this distinguished institution has on all that pass through its doors, it will be my honor and privilege to serve and support the facility, staff and students on behalf of our state.”

Dr. Jennifer Kibicho, Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, was awarded a fellowship by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program to travel to Kenya to work with the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) on a collaboration project. The project involves curriculum development of two existing courses and one new course for graduate-level masters and doctoral students in a blended learning format, mentorship in grant writing and scholarly work, and collaborative research activities… This work will help CUK’s vision of providing students with an education that will be useful for future employees and/or policymakers in a country with high levels of unemployment.

Dr. Penninah Kako, associate professor of nursing at the College of Nursing is leading the training project to increase th­­e number of sexual assault nurse examiners, which are in short supply both in Wisconsin and nationwide.  A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse with specialized training and education to work with patients who have experienced sexual assault, abuse, or incest. “Unfortunately, Black and Indigenous women suffer the most,” Kako Said. “This program was created with expertise of three practicing sexual assault nurse examiners to provide trauma-informed, culturally relevant and sensitive care to these populations,” according to Kako.

Brenda Cullin, UWM (Retiree), received the 2023 Black Honorees Education award.  Excellence was instilled in Brenda Cullin from an early age. “My father always told me, no matter what I do, just be the best at it,” she said.  Brenda shared, “In my 40-plus years on the UW’M campus, I have always seen myself as the ‘go-to person’ for advice and counsel around campus issues impacting the department, staff, and African American employees. I often said I am the voice of the voiceless and speak on the mission and vision of the university around issues of diversity and inclusion.”