University Relations Committee – Annual Report – 2024-2025

Members:

NameRankDepartmentDivE/ATerm EndsEmail
Jennifer FinkFACHealth Care AdministrationPRA2027jtfink@uwm.edu
Sergio Lopez-PineiroFACArchitecturePRE2027lopezpin@uwm.edu
Kyle NorrisASPeck School of the ArtsA2027norriskr@uwm.edu
Rose SauersUSPathway AdvisingA2027repennin@uwm.edu
Zachary Durlam 1FACMusicAHE2026durlam@uwm.edu
Ora John Reuter, ChairFACPolitical ScienceSSE2026reutero@uwm.edu
Randall Trumbull HolperASPeck School of the ArtsA2026rgholper@uwm.edu
Tian Zhao 2FACComputer ScienceNSA2026tzhao@uwm.edu
Heidi AnoszkoASUWM LibrariesA2025hanoszko@uwm.edu
Michael FarrellFACLubar College of BusinessSSA2025farrell1@uwm.edu
Melissa ScanlanFACFreshwater SciencesPRE2025scanlamk@uwm.edu
Olivia HwangVice ChancellorMarketing & Communicationsx-oo2025hwango@uwm.edu
Gina LukaszewiczASUniversity Advancementx-oo2025lukaszew@uwm.edu
Marissa SteinhoferASSecretary of the University’s Ofcx-oo2025steinho2@uwm.edu
< >Student A2025 
< >Student A2025 
< >  Yet to be appointed
1 Repl. K. Surerus (2026-E)
*  Designated to call first meeting
2 Repl. S. Jozwik (2026-A)
x-o  Ex-officio
o  Serves by virtue of office

Charter:

A4.0    University Relations Committee

  1. Membership.  Sixteen members as follows: four elected Faculty members; three Faculty members to be appointed by the Chancellor from a list to be submitted by the Nominations Committee; three members of the Academic Staff to be appointed by the Chancellor from a list submitted by the Academic Staff Committee; one member of the University Staff appointed by the Chancellor from a list submitted by the University Staff Committee; two students; three members ex-officio shall be Vice Chancellor of Marketing & Communication or their designee, the Vice Chancellor of University Advancement or their designee, and the Secretary of the University or their designee.  No more than one Faculty member shall be from a single college or academic Division.
  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 17, 2024
  • October 15, 2024
  • November 19, 2024
  • February 18, 2025
  • April 15, 2025

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
  • Federal budget actions and UWM response
  • UWM’s marketing budget
  • Fundraising
  • Alumni relations