In a landmark meeting, more than 50 participants from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College recently solidified a path forward for strategic collaboration aimed at empowering students and fostering regional prosperity.
The meeting, held on March 1, saw stakeholders from both institutions convene to discuss avenues for enhancing educational pathways, facilitating seamless transfers and broadening opportunities for students in Southwest Wisconsin and the tri-state area.
“This was an extremely productive meeting with an incredible collaborative energy and spirit throughout,” said Dr. Wayne Weber, UW-Platteville interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The focus was on increasing awareness and streamlining pathways for students transferring from SWTC to UW-Platteville.”
Cynde Larsen, SWTC chief academic officer shared, “We were honored to spend the morning with the innovative UW-Platteville staff and faculty members. Southwest Tech’s strategic focus on student post-graduate outcomes aligns perfectly with UW-Platteville’s excellent graduate wage rates. As noted by Ryan Wiegel, SWTC agriculture instructor, ‘We are excited to help more SWTC Chargers succeed as UW-Platteville Pioneers.’”
Key highlights of the collaboration include:
- Streamlined Transfer Pathways: SWTC and UW-Platteville are committed to simplifying the transfer process for students, ensuring a smooth transition from two-year to four-year programs.
- Enhanced Awareness of Four-Year Opportunities: Through joint efforts, both institutions aim to increase awareness among SWTC students regarding the array of four-year opportunities available at UW-Platteville.
- Co-Advising Opportunities: A collaborative advising framework will be established to provide comprehensive support and guidance to students navigating their academic journeys.
- Program Pathways: Special focus will be placed on developing clear pathways for programs in business, criminal justice, agriculture, sustainable and renewable energy systems, healthcare and others, aligning curriculum and resources to meet evolving industry needs.
- Recruiting and Marketing Initiatives: SWTC and UW-Platteville will join forces in recruiting efforts, leveraging their combined strengths to attract talented individuals to the region's educational landscape.
- Partnership for Regional Benefit: Both institutions are committed to partnering on initiatives that benefit not only their respective student bodies but also the broader Southwest Wisconsin and tri-state communities, fostering economic growth and innovation.
“This collaborative endeavor underscores the shared commitment of SWTC and UW-Platteville to empower students, strengthen educational pathways and drive positive change in the region,” said Weber. “It benefits both institutions and most importantly, it benefits Southwest Wisconsin and the tri-state area.”