Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.

Since the 2030 Action Plan framework was initially developed in 2019, much has changed in the world and at UWM. While the landscape continues to evolve, the 2030 action plan remains a vital roadmap for the work of faculty, staff and administration throughout the institution.

As you know, in 2024, the plan shifted from eight themes to four broader commitments to reinforce UWM’s mission and vision. In Fall 2024, we transitioned to having Vice Provosts Bilen-Green and Clark serve as 2030 Action Plan co-leads, working with commitment sponsors to refine goals, strategies, tactics, and metrics. In the coming months, once that work is finalized, we will be launching a new online dashboard, providing stakeholders and anyone curious about this work access to information and progress updates on these commitments. In the meantime, I encourage you to have a look at the four commitments and their sponsors on the 2030 webpage.

Additionally, we encourage the UWM campus community to submit accomplishments and updates related to our four commitments for the Advancing 2030 Plan Commitments section of the Provost’s Update.

Two recent English department alumni, Su Cho (PhD, 2021) and Canese Jarboe (PhD, 2024), have both been named 2025 NEA Fellows in Poetry and will receive grants of $25,000 each. Cho will join Vanderbilt University's MFA program as an assistant professor in fall 2025; Jarboe published their collection Sissy (Garden-Door Press) in 2024 and was also a 2024 Tallgrass Artist-in-Residence. The NEA Fellowship program is one of the most prestigious in the field of creative writing.

Sara C. VanderHaagen, associate professor of Communication, recently published an essay in the Oxford Handbook of African American Women's Writing. The chapter, titled "Activism,” charts how Black American women have used rhetoric and public discourse to shape American public memory.

Elisabeth Koerner of the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research (OAIR) has published a report, “UWM Students’ Experiences and Perceptions after landing on Academic Probation after their First Semester: A Qualitative Analysis.” This qualitative study explores how second-year students at UWM, who were placed on academic probation after their first semester, navigated their challenges and took actions that influenced their decision to return for a second year. Academic probation can significantly impact student retention and success. Understanding the experiences and actions of students who overcome probation can inform support strategies. More information.

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that beloved and respected Dr. Erika Sander, Associate Professor Emerita, Kinesiology, passed away. Erika served UWM as faculty for nearly 40 years before her retirement in 2008. She taught primarily in the areas of Motor Development and Applied Statistics. Sander served in administrative roles and was the chair of the department for 10 years, was involved in governance, and spent significant time mentoring other faculty during her career. Still active in her retirement, Sander informally continued to provide mentoring, supported UWM athletics and was involved in the UWM Retirees Association. Erika received the Ernest Spaights Plaza Award in 2016 for her significant and lasting contributions to the UWM community. Erika’s service to UWM for more than 50 years formally and informally, has left a lasting impact on students and faculty and she will be greatly missed. Read the full announcement.

With appreciation,

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

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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