Capital Investment Keeps STEM Students in Wisconsin
Problem
Wisconsin needs more science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals. But UWM’s outdated facilities make it harder to recruit them. In the past five years, UWM accepted 1,400+ students into Engineering and Computer Science. These students chose out-of-state schools instead. Wisconsin lost their talent. It also lost their tuition money. Psychology and Neuroscience face a different problem. Their Garland-Pearse facilities can’t be renovated to meet teaching and research standards. This puts the program’s accreditation at risk. UWM must upgrade its facilities to stay competitive.
Solution
$19.2 million was invested in 2025-27. This money will fund project design. It will also make sure the project is ready to build by 2027-29. This project focuses on STEM and students. It will renovate the Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (EMS) building. It will also replace the old Physics Building with a new, shared facility. The new facility will add more space for engineering. It will also give a new home to Psychology/Neuroscience, a fast-growing program.
Results
With better facilities, UWM can keep producing top STEM professionals for Wisconsin employers. More than 80% of UWM’s graduates stay in Wisconsin. They live, work and give back to their communities here. Investing in the Engineering & Neuroscience Project means investing in Wisconsin’s talent pipeline. It will help the state keep and grow skilled STEM workers.
Facilities play a key role in building Wisconsin’s STEM workforce. These facilities must be modernized to stay useful. UWM has already shown it can do this well. UWM renovated the 9th and 10th floors of its main engineering building under budget. Students, faculty and industry praised the results.
Further investment will help Engineering recruit top students. It will also give Psychology and Neuroscience a state-of-the-art facility. Students will have a dynamic space to drive new research. Top students will stay in Wisconsin. They will become tomorrow’s skilled professionals.
Advocate For UWM
UWM is always seeking supportive voices to advocate for the University’s needs and its tremendous impact on the region. These pages have background details, talking points and contact information to help make your voice heard.
Fast Facts
UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS)
UWM Psychology & Neuroscience
Investment will directly benefit UWM students in…
Psychology/Neuroscience Programs
Neuroscience majors (125+), Psychology majors (1,200+), Psychology minors (100+), Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology
CEAS Programs
Biomedical and Health Informatics, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Connected Systems Engineering, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plus others…
| Current Status | Future Status |
|---|---|
| Facilities | |
| Inadequate and not competitive | Modernized and game-changing |
| Programs | |
| Lacking collaborative synergy and technology | STEM-collaborative and interdisciplinary |
| Enrollment and Graduation | |
| Recruitment limited by facilities | Increased recruitment and retention |
| Workforce Impact | |
| Losing critical talent to other states | Keeping STEM talent in Wisconsin |
Project Timeline
2010
- Engineering and Psychology/Neuroscience identified as top academic facility needs in UWM’s long-range campus development plan
- Needs reconfirmed in 2015 SWQ study
2021
- State invests $500,000 for predesign of new Engineering & Neuroscience Building project and Southwest Quad plan update
- Engineering & Psychology/Neuroscience facilities confirmed as top facility needs
2023
- Renovated EMS 9th and 10th floors open
- Project modernized research facilities and bolstered industry partnerships
- Completed under budget
2025-2027
- $19.2M request for Engineering & Neuroscience – Planning & Design
- 75% of design for full Engineering & Neuroscience Project complete, including renovation, demolition and new building construction
2027-2029
- Engineering & Neuroscience shovel-ready
- Renovation of EMS
- Demolition of the old Physics Building
- Construction of new, shared STEM building
Modernizing EMS: Advancing Research and Workforce
Since the EMS building opened, it has helped develop world-class research. It has also helped build Wisconsin’s engineering and computer science workforce. But the building must be modernized to stay useful. UWM has already shown it can do this well. The recent renovation of the 9th and 10th floors finished under budget. Students, faculty and industry partners praised the results.
Further investment will keep delivering results. Top students will stay in Wisconsin. Top faculty will train them. They will become the skilled professionals who power our state’s economy.