Dr. Freer oversees the student support operations within the Dean of Students Office, including case management, student appeals, medical withdrawals, emergency grants, laptop loans, and the UWM Food Center and Pantry. Students, staff, and faculty work with her when they are faced with challenging and unique circumstances involving students.

Becky has worked in the Dean of Students Office since 2010. She is an instructor for the Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration program and has served as a Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to advance equity initiatives at UWM.

Before coming to UWM, Becky worked at the University of Northern Colorado as an instructor and advisor for the McNair Scholars Program. She has worked in Residence Life at Colorado State University, Arizona State University, and UW-Whitewater.

Becky has a PhD in urban education from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, where her dissertation explored the transition experiences from high school to college for Black, White, and Latinx working-class students. Becky is a proud graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools and was a first-generation college student. Her experiences growing up have guided her passion for access and inclusion in higher education. With an asset mindset toward students, she looks for ways universities can better meet students’ needs.