Good afternoon, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
As the semester winds down, I hope you have the time you need to end well. The final weeks of the term can be a stressful time for students and employees alike, and your dedication to student well-being is very evident. I want to remind employees of several resources, events, and workshops available to you. See the December Employee Health and Wellness Updates for more information.
Every interaction can be an opportunity to have a positive impact on a student, demonstrating that UWM is a caring campus. Our students’ health and well-being are a key part of their university experience. If you can, share some of the excellent resources available to them. Thank you for taking the extra effort to go above and beyond for our students and your colleagues this semester.
Finally, the End of Semester Memo was sent to all instructors earlier this week with important information for the end of the fall and as you begin to plan for spring. Please take a moment to review that message.
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Prof. Robert Schneider (Urban Planning) was featured in The Washington Post for his expertise on the rise in pedestrian fatalities and strategies to reduce them. Schneider is recognized nationally for his research on pedestrian safety and for co-developing a fatal pedestrian crash hot spot identification method, which the authors of the article used to identify concentrations of pedestrian fatalities. See the Washington Post article or read the related research.
Two local media outlets recently interviewed Prof. Deyang Qu and Scientist Xiaoxiao Zhang (Mechanical Engineering) for stories about research in extracting material from retired rechargeable batteries to use in making lower-cost, high-demand fertilizer in the U.S. See more.
Nancy Nelson, Director of the School of Continuing Education (SCE), retired on December 3, 2025. Nancy served UWM for 27 years and has led the SCE since 2017. Throughout her career, Nancy has demonstrated a strong commitment to UWM's mission and made lasting contributions to the university. Nancy has been instrumental in expanding SCE's reach by identifying and launching programs that attract a broader audience of learners. Her ability to foster strong relationships with companies, community organizations, and educational institutions has driven revenue, enhanced program visibility, and created meaningful impact. Nancy’s legacy at UWM is one of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Her contributions have significantly advanced the university’s continuing education mission and strengthened its ties to the community. I would like to thank Nancy for her dedication, hard work, and service to campus and community in her time at UWM.
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With support from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, this week UWM hosted more than 1,200 9th-grade students from four MPS, one choice, and one charter school through the M-Cubed “Explore Tomorrow Today” event. These visits play a critical role in UWM’s mission and M-Cubed’s commitment to connecting young learners with meaningful college pathways, reflecting UWM’s dedication to being a community-engaged access institution. The goal of the visits is to offer students an immersive campus experience that encourages active engagement and exploration at UWM, demystifies the steps toward higher education, and empowers them to move confidently into their next steps. Through these visits, M-Cubed helps bridge the gap between high school planning and real college decisions. Learn more about M-Cubed.
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The Provost’s Update will be on a short hiatus following the December 19 message and will return on Friday, January 16, 2026. See the Spring 2025 Update schedule and submit items for the Spring Semester using MarComm’s Campus News & Announcements form. Any items you have for the period extending from mid-December through mid-January that you’d like included in the December 19 update should be submitted by Friday, December 12.
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Advancing 2030 Plan Commitments |
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2030 Commitment to Students’ Engagement and Their Academic and Personal Journey |
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Get ready to kick off the new year with purpose and polish! Join Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership (WWHEL) and the Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET) for a fun and empowering event where giving back meets leveling up. Donate gently used professional clothing, shoes, or belts to support the SET career closet, and explore how your style can reflect your authentic self and leadership goals. Bring cookies to exchange and enjoy a cup of coffee. Before you leave, capture a new headshot in the Iris Photobooth. Whether you're refreshing your wardrobe or refining your image, it's time to dress for the role you want—and feel great doing it! To be held on December 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Student Experience & Talent, Vogel Hall.
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The Division of Community Empowerment & Institutional Inclusivity (CEII) is recruiting six undergraduate students and six faculty or instructional academic staff to participate in “At the Table,” a Spring 2026 program designed to promote civil dialogue at UWM and build facilitation skills among instructors and students. Faculty/staff mentors will receive $1,000 in S&E funding. Students will be hired at $14/hour for up to 75 hours. Apply by Friday, January 9, 2026. To ensure broad representation across campus, the selection process will prioritize disciplinary diversity and participation from multiple UWM schools and colleges. “At the Table” is funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD) and is part of UWM’s Renewing Our Civic Culture initiative co-sponsored by the Division of CEII and the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). See full information and application.
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2030 Commitment to Positive Employee Experience |
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On Wednesday, November 19, the Center for International Education proudly hosted its fourth annual International Advocate Recognition Ceremony. This year, 47 exceptional UWM faculty and staff were honored for the meaningful impact they’ve made in the lives of international students and study abroad participants. Congratulations to all the nominees. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication and support. View the full recipient list and learn more.
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UWM's Office of Dual Enrollment will host an information session for UWM faculty and staff who are parents/caregivers of high school students. We will review the multiple ways students can take UWM courses (for credit) for 2026-2027. This is scheduled to give high school students time to meet the March 1, 2026, deadline for students to take a class at UWM in Fall 2026 (through the state-legislated Early College Credit Program (ECCP). Monday, February 9, 2026, 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Teams. Teams meeting link.
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All UWM faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates are invited to submit proposals for the Community Empowerment and Justice Symposium to be held on April 10. This event will highlight explorations and experiences of challenges and opportunities, how these intersect with other asymmetries of power, and how we can work to foster greater justice. Submissions can range from the academic to the creative, including but not limited to discipline-specific perspectives, personal narratives, performance pieces, short academic papers, poster presentations, poems, mixed media pieces, storytelling, short films, research-driven analyses, and more. The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2026. Prizes of $150–$300 will be awarded for outstanding undergraduate and graduate presentations. Proposal submission form.
- All UWM students and employees have free access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers more than 15,000 courses and is designed for easy online learning across all devices. For UWM employees, access to LinkedIn Learning has recently transitioned to Workday. Learn more about accessing LinkedIn Learning through Workday.
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2030 Commitment to Research, Innovation, and Community Impact |
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The Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery presents two exhibitions for the winter season: Rebellious Stripes: The American Flag in Activist Art, 1960-2025 and American Icons: Sacralizing a Nation. Exhibitions run from November 24, 2025, to February 26, 2026. See a full description and gallery opening times.
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UWM AccessPT—a student-led physical therapy clinic in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program—offers physical therapy services to those lacking insurance, with limited insurance, or who have difficulty accessing physical therapy services. Appointments are available on Thursdays at two locations. Students work in pairs to treat each patient under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist faculty member. Students get hands-on experiences to complement what they are learning in the classroom, and community members have access to physical therapy and wellness services at no cost. See more information and how to schedule an appointment.
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2030 Commitment to Fiscal Sustainability & Economically Anchoring Southeastern Wisconsin |
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With appreciation,
Andrew P. Daire, PhD
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
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