Provost's Update: Friday, June 19, 2026

Office of the Provost

Friday, May 15, 2026

Good afternoon, colleagues.

I hope you are enjoying the start of summer. While the pace on campus changes this time of year, important work continues across Academic Affairs and throughout the university. I would like to share a few updates and highlights from the past month.

June Board of Regents

Earlier this month, UWM hosted the Board of Regents June meeting. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase the impact of our students, faculty, staff, and research while also engaging in important discussions about issues shaping the future of higher education.

Several topics received significant attention, including reduced-credit degree pathways, accreditation, online learning compliance requirements, new federal financial aid policies, and regulations affecting international students.

At the Education Committee meeting, UWM highlighted its leadership in textbook affordability through a presentation by Natasha Jankowski, Michael Doylen, and me. UWM’s work in this area reflects our broader commitment to reducing barriers to student success and improving access to higher education. The committee also heard from a multiple-campus panel on the same topic. Last, Senior Vice President Britz reported on progress toward Act 15 compliance related to faculty workload and general education requirements, with campus implementation due by Fall 2026 and audits planned thereafter.

Chancellor Gibson shared reflections from his first year and his vision for UWM, highlighting the university’s strengths and future opportunities. Read the summary or watch the presentation recording. The Regents also approved a 2% tuition increase for next year, elected new Board of Regents leadership, and concluded the meeting with closed-session personnel discussions.

Strategic Enrollment Management Summit

On June 10, faculty, staff, and campus partners gathered for the Strategic Enrollment Management Summit. The summit provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made during the past year and discuss the work ahead.

Student success remains one of our most important institutional priorities. Enrollment, retention, and graduation outcomes are influenced by the collective efforts of faculty, academic staff, student affairs professionals, advisors, and administrators. During the summit, college leadership teams engaged in action planning to identify where they can amplify campus-wide strategies with their own unique unit efforts. Learn more about the summit, the SEM annual report, and what’s next in student enrollment and retention.

One of the greatest strengths of UWM is the breadth and quality of the work taking place across our campus.

Recent accomplishments include the publication of the Center for Water Policy’s latest research, “Open to the Public: Legal Protections for Public Access to Shifting Ocean and Great Lakes Shorelines” by Water Policy Specialist Emma Ehrlich (2024-2025), Interim Assistant Director Cora Sutherland (2024-2025), and Director Melissa Scanlan in Denver Water Law Review. See more.

The UWM Chinese Program celebrated the outstanding achievements of Beatrice Ephraim, Hyejeong Song, Ian Brown, and Emilio De Torre, who took home gold and silver medals in the First-Year Student Group at the 2026 Midwest University Chinese Speech Contest. Hosted by Northwestern University on May 16, 2026, the competition brought together 48 contestants from 12 universities across the Midwest. Read the full article here.

An article published in Frontiers in Education highlights the impact of UWM’s STEM-Inspire Program across 15 years. The paper, “The role of holistic support for historically marginalized students in STEM: reflection from an urban research institution, 2010-2025,” showed that many participants have gone on to careers in industry, while others are conducting research on a wide range of issues that impact society. Although the program has ended, its impact on those involved and the communities they now serve endures.

This academic year, UWM launched a Grade Recovery Pilot that provided first-year students with an opportunity to convert F grades to No Credit. While we will continue to evaluate outcomes as additional retention data becomes available, early results are encouraging. Students reported reduced stress, increased motivation, stronger engagement with campus resources, and a greater sense of belonging at UWM. Several students described the program as a second chance that helped them remain enrolled and refocus on their academic goals. One student reflected that the program “positively affected the trajectory of my higher education journey” by helping them reassess their efforts and develop better academic habits.

The Provost’s Update will only be sent monthly during the summer. See more about dates, deadlines, and how to submit items.

Our work toward the goals outlined in the 2030 Action Plan continues across the university.

Applications are open for fall 2026 funding for student research scholars through the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI). The application deadline is July 12. The student research program pairs students with a data science research idea with an eligible instructor to serve as a sponsor-mentor for the project. UWM instructors are encouraged to share this opportunity with students ahead of the July 12 application deadline. Award notifications are anticipated in mid-August. Find more information on NMDSI’s Student Scholars program and the Fall 2026 Application.
The Honors College bi-annual summer study abroad trip to England, “Royals and Rebels,” spent two weeks in June studying British literature, culture, and history. Dr. Alan Singer and Honors Associate Director Laura Blaska led 16 students through 90-degree days, sleet at Stonehenge, a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre, tours of Parliament and Roman baths, and lots of walking. Despite the challenges, usual and unusual for a study abroad, the group managed to have thought-provoking and engaging discussions. See the Honors College Instagram or Facebook page for photos.
The 2026-2027 edition of the UWM academic catalog has been published: https://catalog.uwm.edu/. Archived editions of prior academic catalogs can be found in the Catalog Archive: https://catalog.uwm.edu/archive/.

Marie LeJeune, PhD, joined the School of Education in June as associate dean and head of school. LeJeune brings years of experience as a classroom teacher, researcher, college educator, and administrator to the position. She has focused her teacher preparation efforts on encouraging aspiring teachers; in particular, first-generation and multilingual teachers, who are underrepresented in the profession. A focus has been on removing barriers and considering more flexible ways for working adults, especially paraprofessionals or others already working in the schools, to become licensed teachers. LeJeune says she was drawn to the School of Education’s mission to urban education and faculty and staff's deep dedication to equity and access. Read more.
Nadine Kozak, PhD, became the School of Information Studies associate dean and head of school in late May. She brings a blend of teaching, research, and administration experience to the position. Kozak came to UWM in 2011 for her post-doctoral fellowship in information policy and joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the 2012-2013 academic year. She became an associate professor in 2019. As head of school, Kozak will continue to build certificate programs, microcredentials, and pathways for library paraprofessionals to complete degrees. She says that she has tremendous respect for UWM students, many who are the first in their families to go to college. Her main focus will be on helping students through her new role. See more.

Applications are now open for the Ignite Startup Accelerator through the UWM Lubar College of Business. The program is designed for entrepreneurs who’ve taken the first steps and are ready for the next. The 11-month collaborative startup accelerator assists founders and entrepreneurs in commercializing their new venture. Ignite’s goal is to provide passionate entrepreneurs who have a strong business idea and have completed customer discovery, with the tools, resources, and connections to accelerate commercialization and get to revenue growth. The program accepts up to 10 teams with 25 total participants each year. The program is open to UWM students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The application deadline is July 10. Find more details and how to apply at this webpage.
UW-Milwaukee, in partnership with the UWM Alumni Association, is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of 2026 Doors Open Milwaukee, hosted by Historic Milwaukee, Inc. This free, citywide event draws thousands of visitors to explore Milwaukee’s architecture, history, and culture through behind-the-scenes access to more than 150 buildings. Showcase your campus area during Doors Open Milwaukee on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offer guided tours, self-guided visits, demonstrations, displays, or other experiences that fit your space and staffing capacity. Sign up by July 1. The goal is to make UWM a signature Doors Open destination and showcase the university’s role in Milwaukee’s past, present, and future. We look forward to showcasing the work, spaces, and stories that make UWM such an important part of Milwaukee. If you have questions, please reach out to Amy Lensing Tate in University Advancement.
Showcase your work in a brand-new Makers Market on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. during UWM Unlocked, a Doors Open Milwaukee experience. The event is paired with Panther Family Weekend, so it’s agreat opportunity to share your work with the many alumni, students, families, and community members who are gathering and enjoying campus. Space is limited—apply today at: uwm.edu/advance/makersmarket. Questions? Contact Maggie Dalton at daltonma@uwm.edu or 414-229-6672.
As a co-sponsor of the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit, UWM played a key role in bringing together stakeholders at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field to identify a statewide strategy for the transformation of manufacturing. UWM Chancellor Thomas Gibson opened the event, and students and faculty from the College of Engineering & Applied Science demonstrated their research in semiconductor chips, advanced materials, and AI-driven robotics. Read more.
The Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering recently hosted an international conference of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM) Society on campus, with Associate Professor Wilkistar Otieno serving as the Conference Chair. The June event drew hundreds of participants from 35 countries who gathered to provide insights into the latest advancements in these fields. The event provides insights into the latest advancements in the fields of industrial engineering. UWM faculty members presenting included Wilkistar Otieno (also the organizer), Matthew Petering, Iftekharuddin Khan, and several students who displayed posters. Alumnus Ahad Ali (PhD '03) launched the organization in 2009. There are now 44,000 members globally. Read more.

Thank you for the work you do every day on behalf of our students and for the contributions you make to UWM's teaching, research, and community-engaged mission.

Best,

Tina Freiburger, PhD
Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs