Business & Leadership

Two students honored with achievement award

Two UW-Platteville students were honored yesterday at a ceremony in Madison, with the Alliant Energy Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award. Seniors Favour Butterfield and Marcelo Garay received the award, which recognizes the outstanding academic and community-service efforts of students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups who are pursuing a degree in business or engineering at UW-Madison or UW-Platteville.

Recent grad accelerates career through bachelor’s to master’s pathway

Connor Trempe enrolled in UW-Platteville's Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway, allowing him to graduate with two degrees in just five years and excel his career as a software engineer.

Business students provide assistance to Honduran entrepreneurs

Teams of UW-Platteville business students were paired with clients in Honduras for their capstone project, giving them the unique opportunity to help under-resourced entrepreneurs, while navigating a different language and culture.

UW-Platteville, Madison College sign four new transfer agreements

Leadership from both institutions gathered at Madison College’s Truax campus to sign four new transfer agreements, a continuation of their partnership and commitment to making it easier for students to transfer from Madison College to UW-Platteville’s bachelor’s degree programs.

MS Project Management alum named to prestigious AIMBE fellowship

Alumnus Dr. Michael O'Connor continues to add to his highly decorated resume. On March 27, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering inducted O'Connor into its College of Fellows.

Inspired by love of hiking, Wood develops custom backpacks

Thanks to resources like the Huff Family Innovation Center and the IDEA Hub, UW-Platteville is helping budding entrepreneurs – like senior Josh Wood – take their ideas from prototype to market. Wood has been prototyping a line of custom outdoor backpacks and officially launched his product to the public this week.

School of Business students attend AMA regional conference, earn multiple awards

Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students took home top awards at the UW-Eau Claire American Marketing Association (AMA) 10th Annual Regional Conference.

Inaugural summit sparks collaboration with area high school business and technology teachers

UW-Platteville hosted the inaugural Southern Wisconsin Business Education Summit on Feb. 15 and welcomed business and technology teachers from 18 area schools, who discussed current and future trends in business and how they impact their approach to teaching high school students.

Business major to perform Native American hoop dance Super Bowl weekend

As millions of people from around the world prepare to watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, one University of Wisconsin-Platteville student will be showcasing his talents and sharing his culture with football fans in Glendale, Arizona.

Call to Serve: Alum's unique path leads to M.S. in Organizational Change Leadership degree

A call to serve has fueled Ray LaVoie his entire life. That need to help others has led the M.S. in Organizational Change Leadership graduate to support his country by working for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – although his journey to this career has been unique.

UW-Platteville, Madison College sign transfer agreements

UW-Platteville and Madison College celebrated the signing of three new transfer agreements between the schools, involving the programs of business management, construction management and criminal justice.

Harr Bailey receives WiSys Innovation Champion Award, discusses new entrepreneurship programming

Dr. Marcia J. Harr Bailey, associate professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Business, received the WiSys Innovation Champion Award.

Grad finds passion, career success with UW-Platteville MSISCM program

Some career paths are easily navigated – with a clear, straight road ahead. However, for recent Master of Science in Integrated Supply Chain Management graduate Kristy Knautz, her career path included a sharp right turn.

Students have first opportunity to attend largest human resource conference

Nine students recently attended the 2022 annual Society for Human Resource Management Conference and Expo, the largest gathering of human resource professionals in the world. Dr. Sameer Ahmed made this opportunity possible for students – for the first time – by arranging with conference organizers the possibility for students to volunteer at the conference in exchange for admission. 

MSOCL student appointed as Chief Deputy Director of DPOR by Virginia Governor

Learning while doing will be the new motto for Kishore Thota. The UW-Platteville Master's of Science in Organizational Change Leadership student was recently appointed by the Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, to serve as the chief deputy director of the Department of Professional Occupation Regulation, or DPOR. 

Bachelor of Business Administration now offered at Baraboo Sauk County campus

UW-Platteville is now offering students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in management on the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus, making it the first bachelor’s program to be offered at the branch campus.

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County student supports small businesses through research opportunity

Growing up, Katelyn Zajicek saw firsthand the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandparents and parents who are all small business owners. Now Zajicek, a business administration major at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, is researching the question, “How Will Small Hometown Businesses Survive the Age of Technology?”

Human Resource Management Undergraduate Program aligned with SHRM

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has announced that the School of Business has aligned its Human Resource Management undergraduate program with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates through 2025 and recognized UW-Platteville as a SHRM recertification provider.

World-renowned speaker to engage with students, community

Globally-recognized and renowned keynote speaker, author, leadership educator and executive coach Maya Hu-Chan will be speaking on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 6-7 p.m. on the topic “Saving Face: How to Preserve Dignity and Build Trust in Global Business.”

O’Connor receives PMI® Eric Jenett Award for Excellence

UW-Platteville announces another milestone achievement for one of its distinguished alumni. Dr. Michael O’Connor, a 2006 graduate of the Master of Science in Project Management program, was recently recognized as a winner of the 2021 Project Management Institute’s Eric Jenett Project Management Excellence Award.

UW-Platteville instructor attends seminar as keynote speaker

Shawn Belling, project management instructor, regularly shares his expertise with organizations, including his most recent engagement at the PMI© Michigan Chapter’s Professional Development Day, which he attended as the keynote speaker. 

IDEA Hub Accelerator launch to feature local startups

UW-Platteville, in partnership with the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, will host the grand opening of the new IDEA Hub Accelerator on Monday, Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The IDEA Hub 3D Launch is open to the public to attend virtually or in person at the Platteville Incubator.

Renewed articulation agreements ease transfer 
for students from NICC to UW-Platteville

Officials from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Northeast Iowa Community College met on Friday, Aug. 27, to sign articulation agreements that will streamline transfer opportunities for students.

UW-Platteville alumna creates The Midwest Girl brand

Never forget where you come from is the ongoing theme running through The Midwest Girl, a Dubuque, Iowa T-shirt brand founded by University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna Marissa (Droessler) Hoffmann and her sister Marah Odgers.

Learning more about UW-Platteville’s Organizational Change Leadership program and its Safety Risk Control emphasis

The Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership is a relatively new degree program offered at the UW-Platteville, but its curriculum addresses a growing trend to prepare future leaders amidst rapidly changing business environments. UW-Platteville offers four emphasis areas to help students reach their individual career goals. Of particular note is the Safety Risk Control emphasis, introduced in 2018, which focuses on producing safety and risk control measures for businesses and their teams.

Pioneer Spotlight: L. Joseph Barnes

For more than a decade, L. Joseph Barnes, assistant professor in the School of Business, has brought his business experience inside the classroom where he teaches courses in finance and accounting.

Project Management alumnus returns to teach new Continuing Education credential program

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Continuing Education Institute has risen to the challenge by implementing new ways students can further their education. The latest result of this determination comes in the form of a new certificate program: Foundations of Project Management Practice.

Engineering alumnus reaches new heights as satellite mission director

While an undergraduate student at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Christopher Jefferson fell in love with the thought of working in the space launch industry. This simple idea would launch his academic and professional career to outstanding heights.

M.S. Organizational Change Leadership program ranked fourth nationally

The UW-Platteville Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership program is ranked as the fourth best value in the country, according to the 2021 BestValueCollege.org ratings.

Project management alumnus reinvests in others’ education

Dion Shaw is a strong believer in developing your mind – even as the UW-Platteville graduate fights a disease that’s attacking his. In 1991, Shaw was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but that didn’t stop him from living an active life and giving back to others.

UW-Platteville, UW-Stout to offer associate’s degree in hospitality and tourism

To further serve the needs of employees and employers in Southwest Wisconsin, UW-Platteville and UW-Stout will form a partnership starting in Fall 2021 – offering a new associate’s degree in hospitality and tourism, centered at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, joined with a pioneering transfer path available for students who want to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management from UW-Stout’s nationally-recognized program.

Business faculty publish and present across several areas of expertise

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.

New apprenticeship program offers students unique opportunity

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.

School of Business launches six new undergraduate degrees

The School of Business has realigned its programs to ensure that students are ready for the changing needs in business and industry, with the launch of six new undergraduate degree programs and an ongoing commitment to providing a cutting-edge education – from its teaching philosophy to leveraging the latest online resources.

Krueger develops podcast to support small business marketing

School of Business Associate Professor George Krueger is giving his students and local entrepreneurs an insight on how to enhance marketing strategies for small businesses through his podcast titled, “The UWP Professor George’s Podcast.” Krueger combines his academic research along with his experience in developing marketing campaigns for both small businesses and Fortune 100 companies to deliver different themed episodes.

Lands’ End donates facemasks for UW-Platteville’s Welcome Weekend

As hundreds of Pioneers participated in Welcome Weekend at UW-Platteville, one area business is helping to keep students safe as they embark on the fall semester. Lands’ End headquartered in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, partnered with the university to donate more than 1,000 face coverings to help protect against COVID-19.

Alumnus finds success in innovation at UW-Platteville, now supports others

Recent graduate Caleb Dykema is taking the experiences in innovation he found at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and inspiring others to achieve the same through his new podcast, Just the Bulb.

Distance student overcomes obstacles to be elected valedictorian

Over a decade ago, Jesse Ruegsegger found himself at the lowest point of his life, but a journey of recovery ended with him receiving not only the strength to forgive himself, but also academia’s highest honor.

UW-Platteville will receive EDA-funded technical assistance from Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc.

Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. announced that the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been chosen in a highly competitive process to participate in the 2020 Rural Innovation Initiative, a technical assistance program supporting rural communities working to create digital economy jobs with an innovation hub strategy.

Pioneer Spotlight: Mary Bartling

Mary Bartling came to UW-Platteville in the fall of 2016 as an assistant professor in supply chain management. She brings to the business program an assortment of work experience, including time at Harley Davidson Motor Company, MillerCoors, General Electric and Bon-Ton Stores that benefits her students. However, teaching called more to Bartling as she continued to work in her field and eventually led her to UW-Platteville.

Pioneers showcase leadership with “Plarn” at California conference

Four University of Wisconsin-Platteville students recently presented “Plarn,” or “Plastic Yarn,” at the National Society of Leadership and Success’ annual conference at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.

Pioneers place first in American Marketing Association competition

Two UW-Platteville business students placed first in the annual American Marketing Association regional conference, hosted by UW-Whitewater.

School of Business students study abroad in Germany

This summer, Les Hollingsworth, director of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Business, led a short-term faculty-led study abroad program to Hochschule Rhein Main in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hao Chen connects marketing with the modern media age

Dr. Hao Chen is celebrating his 10th year at UW-Platteville. Chen found his love of media and advertising at malls in his childhood when living in China.

Lifelong learning and professional success go hand-in-hand for Project Management graduate

It’s no secret that Shawn Belling is a professional in his prime.

UW-Platteville strengthens industry partnerships

As part of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s goal to build strategic partnerships with industry in Wisconsin, a group of faculty and staff members – from multiple disciplines across campus – recently participated in the Industry 4.0 Impact on Manufacturing Workforce conference, sponsored by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance.

UW-Platteville adds two associate degrees at branch campuses

To offer students more educational opportunities and to help meet the region’s workforce demands, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is offering new associate degrees at its branch campuses, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and UW-Platteville Richland

Students hear from world’s most successful investors at Berkshire Hathaway

A “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity is how several University of Wisconsin-Platteville students described their recent trip to the annual Berkshire Hathaway investors meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

Student Advisory Board member maintains strong ties to UW-Platteville

Sergio Romero lives and works two hours from Platteville in Delavan, Wisconsin, but he has managed to maintain a strong tie to the campus community as an alumnus and to the online community as a current student within the M.S.

Challenging the system: Project Management graduate's capstone project takes off

For Wayne Miller, success is found in the journey, not the destination.

It’s a somewhat tired saying, but works well to describe Miller’s new position as Manager of Market Implementation at TDS Telecom—a telecommunications company headquartered in Madison, WI—of which he has been a part of for over 22 years.  

Fourth iteration of WiSys Prototype Hackathon to be held at UW-Platteville

Student teams will soon compete in WiSys’ fourth annual Prototype Hackathon for a $1,000 cash prize and a chance to develop their product commercially.

National Science Foundation and UW-Platteville a winning combination for supply chain student

Saying that working as a Supply Chain Specialist at Fastenal, the largest fastener distributor in North America, keeps Steve Koldykowski busy is an understatement. From forecasting and inventory to purchasing and order processing, he looks for improvements that will benefit the company and client alike.

School of Agriculture, Business collaborate to offer networking opportunities

At the recent Wisconsin Bankers Association’s open house, co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s School of Agriculture and School of Business, students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about careers in community banking and agriculture lending.

Scholar, mentor, graduate: Project Management alumna works towards a better future

When Sorayda Santos decided to pursue a project management certificate in 2016, she had little idea of the domino effect of accomplishments that would ensue. Only two years later, she had received her master’s degree in project management and earned two promotions.

OCL students find a network of support through their online classmates

In spring 2018, Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership students and classmates Debi McCullough and Jana Nelson met for a casual lunch in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Scholar, mentor, champion: Project Management alumna lends a helping hand

During her time with UW-Platteville, Autumn Fisher has played many different roles—including one she still performs since graduating in the spring of 2017.

Lessons from the classroom and the family farm

One of the first lessons you learn when growing up on a farm is the value of hard work. It’s a lesson that Quinn Crubel learned at the hands of his parents and five siblings on the cattle farm they run in Bloomington, Wisconsin. It was one of the many values his family instilled in him that would help prepare him for college.