University News

Online M.S. Project Management program recognized as a top value

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville's online Master of Science in Project Management program was ranked as a Top 25 Best Value Online Graduate Programs for 2021 by Value Colleges. The ranking is based on the cost of the program and student-to-faculty ratios.


Pioneer Spotlight: Alison Thompson

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education

Alison Thompson, an instructional designer for the Office of Professional Program Support, began her career in higher education after starting at a local community college in the Chicago area. Here, Thompson began assisting faculty in course design and quickly found that instructional design allowed her to combine her interests in teaching, design, and technology to help create powerful learning experiences for students.


UW-Platteville reaches credit transfer agreement extensions with UCLA

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville has reached credit transfer agreement extensions with the University of California-Los Angeles. The partnership extension ensures UCLA Extension students will continue to have the opportunity to join one of UW-Platteville’s highly-regarded online graduate-level programs.


Baraboo Sauk County and Richland campuses get new virtual campus tours

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt and John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and its branch campuses, Baraboo Sauk County and Richland, are now offering full virtual tours featuring interactive video elements, messages from faculty and students, and 360-degree photos of the institutions and their respective communities. The virtual campus tours were created through a collaboration between the UW-Platteville admission and marketing departments and EAB YouVisit. 


UW-Platteville and its branch campuses launch full virtual tours

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville and its branch campuses, Baraboo Sauk County and Richland, are now offering full virtual tours featuring interactive video elements, messages from faculty and students, and 360-degree photos of the institutions and their respective communities.


Engineering professor named KEEN community catalyst

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

Dr. A.L. Ranen McLanahan, associate professor of mechanical engineering, was one of only 20 faculty across the nation to be selected by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) as a community catalyst.


UW-Platteville expands COVID-19 testing to community

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention and the University of Wisconsin System, UW-Platteville is opening an additional COVID-19 testing site on the main campus as well as testing sites on the branch campuses, following a new surge testing initiative announced Wednesday afternoon by the UW System to support communities throughout Wisconsin now facing dramatic increases of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations related to the ongoing outbreak.


UW-Platteville waives electronic application fee for two years

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Press Release

UW-Platteville is waiving electronic application fees, effective immediately, following the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents’ recent approval to waive the fees at 10 of its 13 universities for the next two years.


UW-Platteville announces graduate-level credit for SHRM certificates

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces it will now award graduate-level credits for certificates earned through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).


Collaboration helps senior recital become a reality

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Taking the stage in a mask and performing in front of a sparse audience was likely not how senior Brittany Lasko pictured her last flute recital at UW-Platteville. However, the music education and music non-teaching major said she is grateful that through dedication and collaboration of faculty and staff, her senior recital still went on amid the pandemic.


Aranda takes third place at national powerlifting competition, ties state record

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Education

Ariana Aranda, a senior elementary education major at UW-Platteville, recently competed in the USA Power Lifting 2020 Collegiate Nationals competition, where she took third place in her weight class and tied a Wisconsin state record.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Joshua Anderson

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Education

Dr. Joshua Anderson, assistant professor of English, is bringing his experience in rural classrooms to the School of Education. Anderson joined UW-Platteville in 2016 and made the transition from the Department of Humanities to the School of Education this year.


From Peru to Platteville, Madueno Morales prepares to graduate

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: International, STEM

When Nuria Madueno Morales traveled from her hometown of Lima, Peru, to UW-Platteville in January 2019, she expected to be on campus only one semester as part of an international exchange program. Now, nearly two years later, she is preparing to graduate from UW-Platteville with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, after finding opportunities and support on campus that made it feel like home.


Mechanical engineering student awarded scholarships from UW System and Internship Draft Day

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

As mechanical engineering senior Rkia Talbi prepares for her final days at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, she is being recognized for her academic success and professional experience through two scholarships. Talbi was selected as the “Top Draft Pick” at the manufacturing career fair Internship Draft Day and named one of two recipients of the 2020 Alliant Energy Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Academic Achievement Award.


Ivanov’s new book explores impact of Reformation, Enlightenment in Russia

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: History

Dr. Andrey Ivanov, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, recently published “A Spiritual Revolution: The Impact of Reformation and Enlightenment in Orthodox Russia.”


Second-year art student’s work selected for international exhibit

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

The artwork of Melanie Bisbach, a sophomore cross-disciplinary fine arts major from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, was recently selected to be part of an international online exhibit. Bisbach’s entry was one of just over 80 pieces selected from 797 worldwide entries for the BOUNDLESS exhibit, sponsored by Art Fluent.


New internship program offers unique student teaching experience

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Education

The UW-Platteville School of Education is collaborating with Cuba City Elementary School to offer a new internship program that is not only providing four UW-Platteville students with an unmatched teaching experience, but also playing a vital role in helping the school limit the spread of COVID-19 and offer in-person learning.


Pioneer Spotlight: Samantha Birkicht

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Samantha (Rogers) Birkicht is currently in her fourth year as head volleyball coach for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.


Students to showcase capstone projects at Senior Design Open House

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

UW-Platteville will host a virtual Senior Design Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 16, offering engineering students the opportunity to showcase their capstone projects to students, faculty, industry representatives and the general public.


Seven years of driftless oaks research project published

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Environmental Sciences, Research

Thousands of hours of field work and undergraduate research, conducted by more than 75 UW-Platteville students spanning seven years, has come to fruition. Dr. Chris Underwood, associate professor of geography and department chair, Dr. Evan Larson, professor of geography, and alumna Sara Allen, a 2013 history and geography graduate, co-authored “The Driftless Oaks: A new network of tree-ring chronologies to improve regional perspectives of drought in the Upper Midwest, USA.”


Students adapt to online learning, credit professors with transition

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

To assist with hybrid and online learning, the Teaching and Technology Center created professional development opportunities to help instructors develop familiarity with tools that facilitate blended learning. More than 90% of UW-Platteville instructors took advantage of these opportunities over the summer, and UW-Platteville students are now crediting their professors with helping them adjust to new learning modes.


Confucius Institute to celebrate 2021 Chinese New Year

Written By: Marie Whisenant, Coordinator, Confucius Institute | Published On: | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The Confucius Institute at UW-Platteville welcomes all to a free virtual Chinese New Year Celebration on Feb. 6, 2021, at 1 p.m.


Alumnus to conclude Engineering Seminar Series

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

Alumnus Lavern Nall, a 1972 civil engineering graduate, will present at the final virtual event of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Nall, who is the president of Strass Maguire and Associates, will discuss the topic of Protection of Buildings from the Construction of Milwaukee’s “Deep Tunnel.”


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Asad Azemi

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

This summer, Dr. Asad Azemi joined UW-Platteville as the department chair and professor of electrical and computer engineering. Prior to his move to the Midwest, Azemi was an associate professor of engineering at Penn State. His research interests are in the areas of estimation and signal processing with agriculture and health science applications.


Business faculty publish and present across several areas of expertise

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Business

Several faculty members in the UW-Platteville School of Business are capping off the year with recent publications and major conference presentations, demonstrating their breadth of expertise in a variety of areas.


Students share ideas for eco-friendly concrete in competition

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

The UW-Platteville chapter of the American Concrete Institute recently participated in the 2020 Concrete Solutions Competition, where students competed against 18 teams representing six countries. Held virtually, the competition tasked teams with conceptualizing and demonstrating a use of concrete that could positively impact the world.


Engineering alumni create the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

The Goldbergs credit their education at UW-Platteville with giving them the foundation to succeed. To help assist current Pioneers on their collegiate journey, the couple have established the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship.


UW-Platteville alumni invited to participate in national survey

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Press Release

UW-Platteville has partnered with the Career Leadership Collective, a higher education solutions group, to conduct a national online survey to collect career pathway data from alumni.


Dornak publishes research on land use, bird conservation efforts

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Environmental Sciences, Research

Amid a decades-long trend of declining bird populations in North America, setting land aside for preservation has long been a primary approach to protect biodiversity. Dr. Lynnette Dornak, associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, researched the effectiveness of this method, and her work, “Assessing the Efficacy of Protected and Multiple-Use Lands for Bird Conservation in the U.S.,” was recently published by the scientific journal, PLOS ONE.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Afzal Upal

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Afzal Upal joined UW-Platteville in July as the chair of the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department. He has more than 20 years of experience in the computing field, with an expertise in artificial intelligence and cognitive science. Upal has held several technical and leadership positions in the computer science and software engineering industry and government, however his love for education brought him back to academia.


UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County to offer free COVID-19 testing to area residents

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County will offer free COVID-19 testing to area residents, ages five years and older, on Wednesdays from Nov. 18 through Jan. 20. Testing is free, and participants do not need to be students or employees of the university.


Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer wins 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award

Written By: Cheryl Lange | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

Two-time UW-Platteville graduate and Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer was named one of the university’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni. Recipients of the honor, which is presented by the Alumni Association, are chosen for their contributions to and recognition in their professions and communities, and continued engagement with the university.


Researchers look for a taste of success

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, STEM, Research

Wisconsin is known worldwide for its dairy products, and ice cream is an almost universal favorite. Yet what we love about it can often be hard to describe. Now, mechanical engineering professors Dr. Thomas Zolper and Dr. Bidhan Roy are looking at the science behind one of the world’s most popular treats as part of their research for the UW-Platteville Dairy Innovation Hub.


Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Weigel

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

Throughout his career, Ryan Weigel has felt the influence of UW-Platteville. From the time he graduated as an animal science major, to his own role as an educator today, Weigel acknowledges the friends, family and mentors that have helped him along the way.


UW-Platteville continues to be a pioneer in distance education

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs

UW-Platteville is known as the Pioneers, but the moniker is much more than a nickname. The university has been a pioneer and industry leader in distance education since 1978, when it began offering degrees through its print-based program.


Student creates peer-led mental health awareness program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Psychology

Thanks to an internship at UW-Platteville's University Counseling Services, Anna Klimesh had the opportunity to make a potentially big impact on both current and future students at the university. This summer, Klimesh was tasked with creating and publicizing Peers Promoting Mental Health – a student-led support program that aims to increase student engagement in mental health promotion, education and awareness on campus.


Pioneer Spotlight: Angela Yang

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Growing up as the oldest of seven, Angela Yang was the first in her family to earn a college degree. Yang, an alumna of UW-Platteville, now hopes to inspire students throughout their collegiate journey. As a TRIO Student Support Services advisor and SUCCEED coordinator, she works with incoming UW-Platteville students and assists them with accessing campus resources.


Pioneer Mock Trial Team earns top witness award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

The UW-Platteville Mock Trial Team participated in its first invitational tournament of the season and received a top witness award. “Testing the Waters” tournament took place virtually from Oct.16-18 and featured 12 colleges from across the country.


Pioneers Players return with some socially-distant Shakespeare

Written By: Maddie Harbour, fine arts-theatre major | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

UW-Platteville's Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will kick off their 2020-2021 season with William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”


Pioneer Spotlight: Clint Nemitz

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education

As the lead admissions specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Center for Distance Learning, Clint Nemitz works with his team to connect prospective students with their desired academic programs.


Mumma presents research marking 19th amendment anniversary

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture, Arts & Culture

Kaley Mumma, a senior from Byron, Illinois, was selected to present at the 2020 Red River Women’s Studies Conference, hosted by North Dakota State University last week. The conference’s theme, “Imperfect History,” marked the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.


The department of geography launches new environmental science and conservation program

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Environmental Sciences

The Department of Geography is now offering a new undergraduate degree, environmental science and conservation. The program launched this fall with more than a dozen students declaring the major.


Alumna to present at the EMS Engineering Seminar Series

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is hosting its third virtual event in the Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring alumna Lauren Ray, a 2001 civil engineering graduate, and Marc Ruden, both of IIW, P.C.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hynek Boril

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Since joining UW-Platteville in 2015, Dr. Hynek Boril, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been instrumental in providing students with unique research opportunities on campus, particularly through his creation of the Pioneer Speech Signal Processing Laboratory.


Newly-renovated automation lab features world-class technology

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management, STEM

Last week, the Department of Industrial Studies hosted an open house to celebrate the newly-renovated electronics and industrial controls systems laboratory. Located in Russell Hall, the lab is one of two automation labs that underwent a $1.5 million renovation to offer students the opportunity to use world-class technology and give them an edge in the workforce.


New agreement between UW-Platteville and Carroll University to strengthen engineering workforce

Written By: Carroll University | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

A new agreement between UW-Platteville and Carroll University will allow Carroll students to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering without ever leaving southeast Wisconsin. Carroll students will complete UW-Platteville engineering courses in an online format through UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships.


Fields honored with UW System award for teaching excellence

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Kristina Fields, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was named one of four recipients across the UW System of the 2020 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award.


UW-Platteville Continuing Education Launches Certified Financial Planning Certificate Program

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute is pleased to announce a new partnership that will give students the ability to advance their careers by acquiring the knowledge and requirements needed to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam. Starting in October, Continuing Education Institute will begin offering Dalton Education’s CFP® Certification preparation curriculum.


New health and human performance minors offer opportunities across campus curriculums

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Health and Human Performance

The UW-Platteville Health and Human Performance program recently rolled out three new minors that can be paired with majors across the university to increase the marketability of graduates. Beginning this fall, students can enroll in a health promotion, coaching or sports management minor.


New apprenticeship program offers students unique opportunity

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Business

The School of Business recently announced a new partnership with Foster MSP. The collaboration will offer students a unique apprenticeship opportunity, providing them with a valuable, rare skillset to give them an edge in a growing field.