The Center for International Education advances campus‑wide internationalization through support for student mobility, student success, faculty and scholar immigration advising, institutional compliance and the development and management of international programs and partnerships. The following sections provide updates and announcements from each unit. Subscribe to receive this newsletter directly in your inbox.
Announcement
Celebrating UWM’s 2026 International Advocates
This November CIE will host its fifth annual International Advocate Recognition Ceremony, celebrating the outstanding contributions of UWM faculty and staff who make a profound difference in the lives of international students and study abroad participants. View the complete list of honorees. All are welcome to celebrate our 2026 international advocates on November 18; details below.
International Advocate Ceremony
Wednesday, November 18
9:30-11 a.m.
Library 4th Floor Conference Room
Coffee & light breakfast
English Language Academy
UWM’s English Language Academy (ELA) has run the Conversation Partner Program for more than 35 years. The program pairs international students with domestic students to build intercultural understanding, boost campus engagement and trade language knowledge. Partners meet at least once a week at a time that works for both of them, and they choose how to spend it: studying together, attending campus events, sharing a meal or bowling and playing esports at the Union Rec Center, to name a few. Thanks to a partnership between the ELA and the Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET), participation now counts as a service-learning opportunity. This fall, 112 students are paired up and building their UWM community.
International Admissions
The International Admissions team continues to help new international students feel welcomed, informed and excited about their journey to campus. Through a dynamic series of Virtual Information Sessions covering housing, arrival planning, campus life, pre-departure preparation and visa guidance, the team is creating meaningful connections and setting students up for success before they even arrive. Building on the momentum of a similar Fall 2026 series that attracted an impressive 171 attendees, these sessions provide outstanding support and foster a warm welcome to the Panther community.
International Student & Scholar Services
The International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) team continues to support students, scholars, alumni and employees amid a rapidly evolving immigration landscape. UWM currently enrolls 850 international students, including 496 graduate and 354 undergraduate students, and welcomed 192 new degree-seeking and exchange students this semester. ISSS also supports more than 550 alumni participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) and numerous employees in employment-based visa categories.
For the latest information on federal actions affecting F-1 and J-1 students and scholars, the UWM community is encouraged to visit the Government Actions Affecting F-1 and J-1 Students web page, which serves as ISSS’s primary source for regulatory updates.
Study Abroad
The Study Abroad team supports international academic opportunities that prepare our students for future success.
Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs traveling this UWinteriM 2027:
- Costa Rica Social Welfare: Language & Cultural Immersion; Dana Riesterer, Social Work
- Business in Central Europe (Hungary & Czech Republic); Amit Bhatnagar, Marketing
- The Place of the Lion: Venice as Renaissance Empire (Italy); Michael Aschenbrenner, Art History
- Mexico Atmospheric Science: Air Pollution and Ancient Cultures; Jonathan Kahl, School of Freshwater Sciences
- Nursing in Thailand: Exploring the Health of Women and Children; Vipavee Thongpriwan and Valerie Simpson
Spring 2027:
- Projecting the highest number of study abroad participants since the pandemic.
- Students will be studying in: Argentina, Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, Spain and Thailand
- Students represent the following Colleges: Arts and Architecture, Business, Community Engagement & Professions, Engineering & Applied Science and Letters and Science
Additional updates:
- CIE is currently accepting applications for Summer 2027 Study Abroad Programs. Please encourage your students to apply.
- CIE is offering twice monthly Getting Started with Study Abroad Information Sessions. Please have students see our event calendar to register.
- The UWM campus deadline for students applying for the Boren Awards is January 6, 2027. Our campus contacts are:
- Undergraduate students: Sue Conway, conways@uwm.edu
- Graduate students: Riley Harrison, harrisor@uwm.edu