Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to 2024 and our spring semester. Despite the cold and snowy start of the year, there is much warmth and care as we welcome students back to UWM. I encourage you to engage in the Winter Welcome activities and connect with our students and each other. These are the moments that create a sense of belonging, foster our culture of care, and strengthen our campus’ resolve as we meet challenges.

I am pleased that we are kicking off this “Access to Success” week with an important anniversary and two major announcements that will benefit our students, their families and our communities.

Moon Shot for Equity Anniversary

Today marks the third anniversary of our involvement with the Moon Shot for Equity – a national initiative that we led to eliminate equity gaps in higher education by 2030 and increase graduation rates for all students. Together with the EAB, Carthage College, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Gateway Technical College (GTC), we are closing the vexing education performance gaps among students from historically underserved populations. We realized a 5.8% increase in the six-year graduation rate for all freshmen over the past three years, along with an 8.4% increase in six-year graduation rates for African American students and a 9.9% increase for Hispanic students. These are significant strides, particularly considering the headwinds we have faced.

News Conferences This Week

Tomorrow, Jan. 23, we will announce a new joint transfer agreement with MATC, Waukesha County Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, and GTC. On Thursday, Jan. 25, we will share an announcement on opportunities for MPS students at UWM and MATC. These are exciting developments for UWM and our prospective students.

Positive Momentum

It’s wonderful to start the new year with such positive momentum. These events, the future developments and your care are what “radically welcoming” looks like, and we are making great progress together. Your continued efforts to improve the lives of others are extraordinarily inspiring. UWM is a place where your work/life balance, health and wellness, and professional development are critically important. In this new year, I hope you will reacquaint yourselves with all the support available to you at UWM.

Thank you for everything that you do for our students, each other and our community.

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor