Capital Investment Keeps STEM Students in Wisconsin
Problem
Wisconsin needs more STEM professionals, but related UWM recruitment efforts are hindered by outdated facilities. Over the past five years, over 1,400 students accepted by UWM’s Engineering and Computer Science programs opted for out-of-state programs, taking talent and tuition with them. Psychology/Neuroscience faces accreditation risks because their Garland-Pearse facilities cannot be renovated to meet teaching and research compliance standards. UWM must upgrade to stay competitive.
Solution
The strategic investment of $19.2 million in 2025-27 will advance project design and ensure it is shovel-ready by the 27-29 biennium. This STEM-focused, student-centric project will renovate the Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (EMS) building and replace the outdated Physics Building with a new, shared facility that provides additional engineering capacity and a new home for Psychology/Neuroscience, a rapidly growing program.
Results
With enhanced facilities, UWM will expand upon its long track record of producing the top STEM professionals that Wisconsin’s employers require. More than 80% of UWM’s graduates remain in Wisconsin to live, work and contribute to their communities. Investment in the Engineering & Neuroscience Project is an investment in the state’s talent pipeline to generate and retain innovative STEM expertise for Wisconsin.
Facilities play a crucial role in developing Wisconsin’s STEM workforce, and they must be modernized to remain relevant. UWM has shown it can do this efficiently and effectively: The renovation of the main engineering building’s 9th & 10th floors was completed under budget and won praise from students, faculty and industry. Further investment will elevate Engineering’s competitive recruitment edge while ensuring a state-of-the-art STEM facility for Psychology and Neuroscience – providing students with a dynamic environment to fuel innovation and drive groundbreaking research. Top students will stay in Wisconsin and 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 played a crucial role in developing world-class research and Wisconsin’s engineering and computer science workforce. But to remain relevant, it must be modernized. UWM has proven it can do this efficiently and effectively, with the recently renovated 9th and 10th floors being completed under budget and winning praise from students, faculty and industry partners. Further investment will deliver continued results. Top students will stay in Wisconsin, be trained by top faculty and become the skilled professionals who fuel our state’s economy.