UWM is committed to creating and supporting a campus climate that is respectful and supportive of all who work, live, study or participate in activities or events in our campus community. As with so many complex, deeply rooted issues in contemporary society, systemic racism persists, and higher education is one area where racial inequities are most visible. Here are some ongoing anti-bias initiatives at UWM.
- Moon Shot for Equity: UWM was among the first campuses in the country in fall 2020 to join with education firm EAB in the Moon Shot for Equity initiative, which is dedicated to ensuring that students of various racial and ethnic backgrounds graduate at the same rate by 2030. UWM is working on more than a dozen goals to help more underrepresented students of color and other historically underserved populations graduate from college. The goals cover areas like easing the transition for transfer students, coordinating support services and using technology to better serve students.
- UWM Student Success & Talent Pipeline: The internship program will place 100 students from underrepresented populations in paid internships with Milwaukee-area corporations through 2023. The partnership between UWM and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is funded with a $500,000 grant through the state Department of Workforce Development. UWM is part of the MMAC Region of Choice initiative, which established goals for member organizations, including UWM, to increase Black/African American and Hispanic employees by 15% and Black/African American and Hispanic manager positions by 25% by 2025.
- Mandatory anti-bias, anti-racist training for all employees: All UWM employees are required to complete the university’s Racial Justice and Equity Program, which is online in five modules. In addition, staff from the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provide regular dialogues and workshops that members of the campus community participate in on a voluntary basis.
- Blueprint to increase diversity: UWM’s DEI Framework and One-Year Action Plan includes action steps to be taken during the 2021-22 academic year to increase diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
- Mini grants focused on racial equity: The university provided 10 research grants to fund projects that will contribute to UWM becoming an anti-racist campus. See the list of projects.
- Milwaukee Anchor Collaborative: UWM joined this initiative, led by seven health care and educational institutions in our region, to pledge to hire more people of color and spend more money with minority-owned businesses in disadvantaged neighborhoods.