Being a pre-nursing freshman at UW-Milwaukee, you typically enroll in Freshman Seminar to learn about the campus, resources and opportunities. But during a pandemic, you also get a chance to make a difference.
Dean Kim Litwack has taught Freshman Seminar each semester for several years, committed to orienting freshmen students to resources at UWM and the College of Nursing. Students in this seminar learn early on that faculty are accessible and engaged in their success. This year, Dean Litwack had to adapt her curriculum to meet the needs of the hybrid class and allow students to be involved at a broader level.
In September, first-year students made over 5,000 face coverings for MaskUpMKE with the donated supplies. MaskUpMKE, in response to the pandemic, began converting manufacturing supplies to make face coverings, with straps, for our community. MaskUpMKE has helped produce over 3.5 million masks in 2020 through community volunteering, and these numbers continue to grow.
Nursing freshman seminar student John Roth II said, “Making the masks was very easy. We watched a presentation and were able to move around and safely socialize with fellow students while we made our mask.” When asked about Freshman Seminar, he shared, “The class helps us learn more about the nursing program and the impact of a nursing career. I came to UWM College of Nursing because I wanted to make an impact and help people.”
If you or others would like to get involved, please learn more at MaskUpMKE.