Wisconsin Technical Colleges and University of Wisconsin Institution Teams

Twelve institutions from the Wisconsin Technical Colleges and University of Wisconsin Systems have formed five teams to develop and implement novel programs and policies to support STEM transfer students between the two systems in the state of Wisconsin. Evaluation data is being collected across the teams to determine which programs and policies are successful and to guide the dissemination of those interventions throughout the two Systems.

Chippewa Valley Technical College and UW–Eau Claire & UW–Stout

Team Leaders:

• Chippewa Valley: Peter Heckman, Interim Associate Dean for General Education, pheckman@cvtc.edu

• UW–Eau Claire: Mary Hoffman, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, HOFFMAMF@uwec.edu

• UW–Stout: Amanda Barnett, Associate Provost, barnetta@uwstout.edu

Summary of Partnership Plan:

CVTC, UW–Eau Claire, and UW–Stout will focus their plans on transforming their advising approaches by developing transfer advising guides at the four-year institutions. Alignment of curriculum between CVTC and UW–Stout will also be emphasized through implementation of pre-major pathways. Finally, all three institutions seek to elevate transfer student engagement by involving transfer students in UW-Stout’s Research Day, UW–Eau Claire’s Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, and working across all institutions to develop workshops that particularly target underserved students.

Nicolet Technical College and UW–Stevens Point

Team Leaders:

• Nicolet: Teresa Rose, Transfer & International Study Abroad Coordinator, trose@nicoletcollege.edu

• UW–Stevens Point Gretel Stock, Dean-University College, gstock@uwsp.edu

Summary of Partnership Plan:

Nicolet College and UW–Stevens are working towards creating a seamless and transparent transfer student experience, focusing on access to credits, courses, and progress to degree completion. To accomplish these ends, they will be building relationships between the faculty and staff at both institutions and creating greater understandings of their students’ needs and experiences. Actionable goals of the Nicolet/UWSP partnership include community building among faculty and staff, connecting Nicolet students to the UWSP campus through social/emotional/curricular support and learning from their experiences, and reflecting on current policies and procedures.

Madison College and UW–Platteville & UW–Whitewater

Team Leaders:

• Madison College: Kevin Mirus, STEM Center Director, kmirus@madisoncollege.edu

• UW–Platteville: Tammy Evetovich, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, evetovicht@uwplatt.edu

• UW–Whitewater: Frank Goza, Dean College of Letters and Sciences, gozaf@uww.edu

Summary of Partnership Plan:

Madison College will partner with UW–Madison, UW–Whitewater, and UW–Platteville to increase communications with students about STEM transfer and other opportunities via their STEM Center newsletter. Other proposed initiatives include a Madison College-hosted transfer application event; increased STEM representation at Madison College Transfer Week; and joint Madison College and UW partner faculty and advisor meetings.

Milwaukee Area Technical College and UW–Milwaukee

Team Leaders:

• Milwaukee Area Technical College: Tom Geil, Lead Faculty, Mathematics, geilt@matc.edu

• UW–Milwaukee: Scott Gronert, sgronert@uwm.edu, Dean, College of Letters & Science

Summary of Partnership Plan:

MATC and UW–Milwaukee are focusing their planning efforts on various teaching and mentoring components across both institutions. These include a summer workshop facilitated by faculty, which addresses inclusivity of teaching and advising; developing Graduate Teaching Assistant training on inclusive teaching at UW–Milwaukee; and expanding upon current peer-mentoring practices for MATC STEM students.

Western Technical College and UW–La Crosse

Team Leaders:

• Western Technical College: John Gillette, Dean of General Studies, gillettej@westerntc.edu

• UW–La Crosse: Sandy Grunwald, Associate Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, sgrunwald@uwlax.edu

Summary of Partnership Plan:

Western Technical College and UW–La Crosse are increasing cooperation among advisors and STEM instructors by holding joint advisor and instructor meetings. They are also working toward increasing students’ access to both institutions by establishing a regular physical presence of UWL at the Western campus (i.e., designated office space). Additionally, proposed curriculum and instruction-related changes will include supplemental instruction to prepare future students and the development of a 60+60 pathway into UWL’s Exercise and Sport Science program.