UWM is creating a new, student-focused center that will unify several existing services and spaces into one welcoming hub. It will be a place where all students can access support and build meaningful connections. The center will also be the hub for our community network to connect to UWM and support our students both on campus and throughout the greater Milwaukee area.
Throughout spring and summer 2026, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to participate in design planning for the new center, which will be located in the UWM Student Union.
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The new center is a unified, student-focused hub that brings together several existing student services, spaces and staff. It will provide academic and non-academic support, foster peer and campus connections, serve as a bridge between students and key campus services, and connect community partners to UWM.
This transformation is grounded in data showing that coordinated, student-centric, holistic support improves student well-being, which in turn improves retention and graduation rates.
UWM’s focus has been, and continues to be, on creating an environment where students can easily find and receive the support services they need. We regularly review our delivery models and organizational structure to meet students’ needs. The evolving federal landscape on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was considered as part of the planning discussion, but providing services in a manner to best improve student outcomes was the driving factor.
Yes. All support and resources that currently exist in the centers will continue in the new center. The space will be welcoming to everyone, while still honoring and supporting specific identities through established traditions, events and programs. All current staff will remain to ensure continuity of care and community building.
The following centers will be integrated into the new model:
- Black Student Cultural Center
- First-Generation+ Resource Center
- LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- Military and Veterans Resource Center
- Off-Campus Resource Center
- Roberto Hernández Center
- Southeast Asian American Student Center
- Women’s Resource Center
No. While their missions and traditions will continue, they will not simply move into the new center unchanged. Instead, the new center will create a fresh structure that builds on their collective strengths, best practices and expertise to better serve students.
The center will be housed on the ground floor of the UWM Student Union. The Union is a central gathering place with ongoing activities and many different resources for students. Staff and services from all existing centers will be relocated to the area of the Union that currently houses the Centers for Advocacy and Student Engagement (CASE). The restructuring will involve some changes within and near the CASE area. Space planning is ongoing.
The center will provide:
- Academic and personal support
- Identity-affirming spaces and programming
- Referrals to campus partners and academic units
- Connections to community resources
- Training and resources for students, faculty and staff
- Participation in recruitment, alumni and signature events
- Opportunities for intercultural engagement and community building
Students will continue to receive support, attend events and find community in the new center. Staff with deep expertise in student services will remain involved, ensuring continuity and care.
These spaces will be considered part of the broader campus space planning process. No final decisions have been made yet.
The final name will be determined with input from students, staff and other stakeholders to ensure it reflects the center’s mission and values.
Opportunities for input will be shared throughout the planning process. Students and staff are encouraged to participate in upcoming design input sessions to help shape the center’s future. Dates and times for the design input sessions will be announced in the student newsletter and the faculty/staff newsletter.
The creation of this new center will not result in any full-time employees losing their jobs, but it will require the restructuring of jobs for existing employees. These new duties will be focused on providing student services and community engagement, which are known to improve student outcomes. The Division of Student Affairs has a commitment to student employment and providing opportunities for students to engage in this way, therefore, we expect many student roles will be maintained, though there may be some adjustments to job roles and duties.
Get Involved
Participate in an upcoming design input session to help shape the new center’s future.