Baraboo Sauk County campus and Baraboo High School seek strong connection

Pictured left to right are Clint Brickl, associate principal at Baraboo High School; Glenn Bildsten, principal at Baraboo High School; and Gus Bonow, academic advisor and coach at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County.
Pictured left to right are Clint Brickl, associate principal at Baraboo High School; Glenn Bildsten, principal at Baraboo High School; and Gus Bonow, academic advisor and coach at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County.

A visit from leaders in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science fosters discussion of further connections between the campus and area high schools.

Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science came to UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County on Jan. 10, meeting with administrators from Baraboo High School, as well as campus faculty and student support staff, as part of efforts expanding the reach of UW-Platteville’s Associate in Pre-Engineering degree and other UW-Platteville programs to more students in and around Sauk County. The campus recently added its first bachelor’s degree in business administration, and the university is exploring other four-year degree possibilities for the Baraboo Sauk County campus.

“The Associate in Pre-Engineering that launched on our campus in 2021 has a great set of core courses that every UW-Platteville engineering student needs to take,” said Dr. Michael E. Compton, assistant provost for branch campus operations with UW-Platteville, who convened the meetings. “We’re glad to be able to bring the resources of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science to students in Sauk County, including high school students.”

Dr. Jodi Prosise, assistant dean of the College of EMS and professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Melissa Gavin, director of UW-Platteville Distance Engineering Programs, came to learn more about student needs at Baraboo High School, and to share some of the possibilities for both dual enrollment of students and further expansion of engineering programs at the campus.

“It was exciting to hear such a positive reaction from Baraboo High School,” said Prosise, after a lunchtime discussion among Principal Glenn Bildsten, Associate Principal Clint Brickl, and School Counselor Joe Bavlnka, as well as multiple faculty and staff from the Baraboo Sauk County campus.

Bildsten and his colleagues shared what they hear from their students as they think about their next steps, and were very glad to connect with the campus. Bildsten said he thinks the on-campus programs and connections to UW-Platteville offer multiple opportunities for students and will be eager to continue strengthening the connection in Baraboo.

“We’re so lucky to have this campus just down the road from the high school and to give students such great chances to get a jump on their higher education,” said Bildsten.   

High school students looking to get ahead in their studies can do so a number of ways on the Baraboo Sauk County campus, including through the statewide Early College Credit Program, special student enrollment and other pathways that continue to develop with the university.

Compton said he hopes the feedback and collaborative relationship with Baraboo High School can quickly broaden the reach of the campus to other nearby school districts, so more students can learn how to earn college credit ahead of completing high school.

“As full students of UW-Platteville, students learning on our campus have opportunities to advance swiftly toward lots of possible pathways and programs, and we’re excited to partner with local high schools to maximize their students’ access and their success,” said Compton.