New names for Waukesha, Washington County campuses approved

MILWAUKEE _ The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved new names Friday for UW-Milwaukee’s new two-year campuses.

The former University of Wisconsin-Washington County and University of Wisconsin-Waukesha are now University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Washington County and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha. UWM at Washington County and UWM at Waukesha are acceptable for second reference.

The campuses serving freshmen and sophomores became part of UWM on July 1. UW System President Ray Cross announced the restructuring of the former UW Colleges last year.

New names for the campuses had to meet UW System guidelines and required approval from county officials, as well as student and community representatives, before presentation to the Board of Regents.

“The addition of Waukesha and Washington County campuses to UW-Milwaukee is positive for students and the community,” Chancellor Mark Mone said. “We will continue to provide access to high-quality academic programs, while also delivering a seamless transfer to a four-year degree. In addition, we’ll offer more academic and internship options for students, while addressing local needs and strengthening partnerships in our region and throughout Wisconsin.”

Together, the Waukesha and Washington County campuses comprise UW-Milwaukee’s new College of General Studies. The college is led by Interim Dean Stephen Schmid, who previously served as UW Colleges’ southeast regional associate dean for academic affairs. In that role, Schmid oversaw curriculum, instructional staffing and student academic support services at UW-Waukesha, UW-Washington County and UW-Sheboygan. He also was the campus administrator at UW-Waukesha, where he worked with campus staff in managing the day-to-day operations.

“The joining of our campuses with UW-Milwaukee, one of the nation’s top research universities, is an exciting opportunity for our students, our staff and the communities we serve,” Schmid said.

Schmid will be supported by Dan Anhalt, assistant dean for Finance and Administration; Courtney O’Connell, assistant dean for Student Affairs; Sue Bausch, communications director; Jon Etta, director of Facilities and Planning; and Holly Wehrhahn, director of Continuing Education.

Academic leaders in the College of General Studies include: Greg Ahrenhoerster, professor of English and associate dean for Academic Affairs; Julianna Alitto, associate professor of psychology and department chair for the Social Sciences and Business Department; Dean Kowalski, professor of philosophy and department chair for the Arts and Humanities Department; and Talitha Selby, associate professor of chemistry and department chair for the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Department.

Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Washington County and Waukesha campuses. No changes in course schedules or tuition are planned for the 2018-19 school year. Students will see new UWM signage and a gradual conversion from the current UW red to UWM’s black and gold in visual displays. Students from the two-year campuses also will be able to participate in large events hosted by the main campus, including Panther Street Festival and Pantherfest on Sept. 7.

The Washington County and Waukesha campuses serve students in their first two years of college, granting an associate degree at the completion of 60 credits. Most students go on to a four-year school, with UWM being the top transfer destination for those who want to complete a bachelor’s degree.

UWM at Washington County is located at 400 S. University Drive in West Bend. UWM at Waukesha is at 1500 N. University Drive in Waukesha. To learn more about the two campuses, visit washington.uwc.edu and waukesha.uwc.edu.