Good afternoon, colleagues. Here is the update from Academic Affairs. 

The Moon Shot for Equity is our overarching framework for student success with the goal of closing achievement gaps for all students to graduate at higher rates. It embeds change management and equity-mindedness, deploys technology to advance equity and student success, uses data-informed processes, and is implementing evidence-based best practices (hold reform, the use of Navigate 360 technology platform for stronger student support, math alignment, retention grants, DFW grade rate reduction, transfer pathways, and a coordinated care network). Each of these initiatives has specific goals and outcomes are tracked. Overall progress has been excellent, as measured by retention and graduation rates and progress on closing equity gaps.  

In addition to these outcomes, there is another aspect of the Moon Shot interventions that can benefit students by increasing their self-awareness and sense of self-efficacy. While some Moon Shot goals such as hold reform are clearly institutional in nature, others involve interactions with students that encourage them to act in their own best educational interests:

Fundamentally, education is a future-oriented activity that requires planning skills and the ability to envision and act on opportunities. I applaud the Moon Shot team for fostering these abilities in our students.

J. Dietenberger (Information Sciences) received the inaugural Community Partnership, Service, and Academic Excellence Award at the Military and Veteran’s Ball on Friday, November 3. The award recognizes his contributions to veteran and military campus climate and student success. Award presenters noted that Dietenberger is a pivotal force and staunch advocate at UWM for all students, but especially for veteran and military students.

Carl Bogner (Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres) received the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People in Madison on Thursday, November 9. Commending this year’s honorees, President Rothman noted, “This award recognizes their achievements in creating a safer and inclusive climate at our universities.”

Crystal Carter (formerly Social Work) received the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award on Thursday, November 9. President Rothman stated, “We are proud to honor these women of color whose achievements in advocacy and scholarship are transforming our campuses and communities to be more equitable and inclusive.”

University Advancement was recognized with three Education Digital Marketing Awards: a silver for the most recent 414 Giving Day website, a bronze for the UWM Alumni Association’s Spring 2023 commencement recap video, and a merit award for the 414 for UWM Giving Day social media campaign. Colleges, universities, and secondary schools from across the country submitted more than 1,000 entries featuring their recent marketing efforts.

The UW-Milwaukee Saxophone Ensemble, directed by Nicki Roman (Music), was selected as one of ten groups from all over the state to be featured at the 2023 Wisconsin State Music Conference (WMEA) where they presented a full-length program as their first WMEA appearance. Adam LuMaye, a senior Music Education student at UWM and a member of the ensemble, was also recognized as a recipient of the Richard G. Gaarder Award. Adam was one of two Music Education students across the entire state recognized for leadership, musical excellence, and service to the community.

Congratulations to our newest Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society members, who were initiated into the UWM Wisconsin Gamma Chapter on Saturday, November 4 at MSOE.

Sharing CIO Scott Genung’s recent interaction with a student, which highlights UWM as a caring campus: “A few weeks ago, I encountered a student with a service dog walking between classes who had briefly stopped before continuing. In that short moment as I walked by, I complimented him on his companion. It was clear this student cared deeply for him. He responded by thanking me and then we began walking towards his next class together. We then exchanged names and struck up a conversation about his experiences here at UWM. He asked me about my affiliation to campus and upon learning of it began sharing why he chose UWM. He wanted me to know that he could have gone to many other places. He chose UWM because he wanted his college experience to be personal. It was very important to him that he had a relationship with faculty and felt connected to other students and the campus. I shared with him that he was right to consider “fit” as a determining factor as I made the same choice for the same reasons so many years ago. I then asked him about his decision. He just smiled and without hesitation affirmed his choice. At that point, we reached the building where his next class was located. He then thanked me for listening to him and then went to class.”

Update on the College of General Studies: In case you missed it, Chancellor Mone sent an email last week with an update on the College of General Studies. UWM has formed the College of General Studies Transformation Team (CGSTT), which is committed to providing timely information as we move toward closing the Washington County campus by June 30, 2024. I also want to thank those of you who recently shared your feedback and questions at the town halls at both the Washington County and Waukesha campuses. Your input is essential to this transition.

We extended the deadline for the Regents Teaching Excellence Awards! The purpose of the Regents Teaching Excellence Awards is to recognize exemplary teaching by faculty, instructional academic staff, and departments/programs in the UW System.

These $7,500 awards reflect the UW System’s strong commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching and student learning. Please send nominations to Cheryl Andres (candres@uwm.edu) by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Guidelines and Selection Criteria.

Thanksgiving (Fall Recess) Due Dates: As we all look forward to next week’s break, let us remember that our students are also tired and need some time away. To that end, please avoid setting assignment, quiz, and test deadlines during the Fall Recess.

Build the Brand Workshops: UWM invites all faculty, staff, and students to help shape UWM’s future. The university is embarking on its first brand refresh in more than twenty years, and you have a chance to share your opinion in two ways. You can take a 15-minute survey or participate in a series of in-person workshops on December 5 and 6. Refreshments will be served at the workshops and participants will be entered into a drawing for UWM swag.

Panel Discussion: Conversation on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Recent violent and deadly events in Israel and Palestine have reignited long-standing tensions on college campuses and in communities across the United States and beyond. Many of our students and employees are directly impacted because they have family and friends in the region. A panel discussion on Tuesday, November 21, from 5-6:30 p.m. will explore the context for the fast-moving events in Israel and Gaza and provide an opportunity for civil and respectful discourse around this deeply divisive conflict, deepening our commitment to shared values, and laying the foundation for future events on this important subject. The discussion will be held in the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, in the Dream Studio. More information and registration.

As part of UWM’s education and community-building programs, Capacity Building Circles are spaces for instructors and student support staff (e.g., academic advisors, success coaches, etc.) to gain strategies and skill to discuss contentious topics in and outside of the classroom. Registration.

With appreciation,

Andrew P. Daire, PhD
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2310 E. Hartford Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53211