University Relations Committee – Annual Report – 2025-2026

Members:

Name	Rank	Department	Div	E/A	Term Ends	Email
Kidiocus King-Carroll	FAC	African & African Diaspora Studies	AH	E	2028	kidocus@uwm.edu
Bryce Lord	AS	Public & Nonprofit Administration	–	A	2028	balord@uwm.edu
Danielle Romain Dagenhardt	FAC	Criminal Justice & Criminology	PR	E	2028	dmromain@uwm.edu
Susan Wirka 1	US	Helen Bader School of Social Welfare	–	A	2028	wirka@uwm.edu
Jennifer Fink	FAC	Health Care Administration	PR	A	2027	jtfink@uwm.edu
Sergio Lopez-Pineiro	FAC	Architecture	PR	E	2027	lopezpin@uwm.edu
Kyle Norris	AS	Peck School of the Arts	–	A	2027	norriskr@uwm.edu
Zachary Durlam 2	FAC	Music	AH	E	2026	durlam@uwm.edu
Ora John Reuter, Chair	FAC	Political Science	SS	E	2026	reutero@uwm.edu
Randall Trumbull Holper	AS	Peck School of the Arts	–	A	2026	rgholper@uwm.edu
Tian Zhao 3	FAC	Computer Science	NS	A	2026	tzhao@uwm.edu
Michelle Johnson	Chief Marketing Officer	Marketing & Communications (VC Rep)	x-o	o	2026	john3453@uwm.edu
Gina Lukaszewicz	AS	University Advancement	x-o	o	2026	lukaszew@uwm.edu
Marissa Steinhofer	AS	Secretary of the University’s Ofc	x-o	o	2026	steinho2@uwm.edu
< >	Student		–	A	2026
< >	Student		–	A	2026

Charter:

A3.9    University Relations Committee

The committee advises UWM Administration on University Relations policy, including public events, development, and community engagement. It reports to the Faculty Senate on related concerns and encourages participation from colleges and divisions in University Relations efforts.

1. Membership. The committee is composed of the following members:
   1. seven faculty members, not more than one shall be from a single college:
      1. four elected Faculty members;
      2. three Faculty members, appointed by the Chancellor from a list to be submitted by the Nominations Committee;
   2. three members of the Academic Staff to be appointed by the Chancellor from a list submitted by the Academic Staff Committee;
   3. one member of the University Staff appointed by the Chancellor from a list submitted by the University Staff Committee;
   4. two students appointed annually by the Student Association;
   5. three members ex-officio and non-voting members, as follows:
      1. the Vice Chancellor of Marketing & Communication or designee;
      2. the Vice Chancellor of University Advancement or their designee;
      3. the Secretary of the University or their designee.
2. Functions.
   1. Advises UWM Administration on policy matters relating to University Relations including public events, development, public information, alumni relations, government relations, and related areas of community relations.
   2. Reports to the Faculty Senate on any matters of concern in the areas of University Relations.
   3. Promotes support and participation of the colleges, and Divisions in various University Relations efforts.

Meetings:

The URC met on the following days:

• September 18, 2025
• October 16, 2025
• November 20, 2025
• February 19, 2026
• March 26, 2026
• April 23, 2026

Throughout the year, the committee received updates and presentations from campus leaders on the following topics, followed by questions and discussion:

• State budget advocacy
• Advocacy for capital projects
• UWM’s branding campaign
• UWM’s social media policy
• Federal budget actions and UWM response
• UWM’s marketing budget
• Fundraising
• Alumni relations