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November 3, 2006
In this Issue:
- UW System has a plan for economic growth, access
- Can working women have it all? Discussion to offer answers
- Egypt, Vietnam, Costa Rica among J-Term destinations
- Spanish, Italian adult language classes coming in February
- UWRF Career Services Seeking Mock Interviewers for Nov. 8
- Phillips Plastics executive to describe new product launch challenges
- Students crowd in to meet business reps at recent Career Fair
- Area native is new UWRF Foundation president
- UWRF Key Business Contacts
1. UW System has a plan for economic growth, access
By Kevin P. Reilly, President of the University of Wisconsin System, and Don Betz, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Wisconsin deserves a competitive edge in the knowledge economy, and the University of Wisconsin System and its institutions are ready to lead the way.
The solution we are proposing to the Wisconsin Legislature is a “Growth Agenda for Wisconsin,” that will contribute to the state’s economy in three ways: First, over the next several years, the UW wants to increase the number of Wisconsin residents who have four-year college degrees. Second, we want to help attract more college graduates to Wisconsin. Finally, we want to work with Wisconsin business and government to create knowledge-economy jobs in areas of high state need. We’ll couple that to one of the lowest requested tuition increases in over two decades.
The more Wisconsin citizens who hold college degrees, the more we can attract high-paying jobs, bolster the state tax base, and improve our quality of life. One of the reasons Wisconsin’s economy has not been as robust as it could be is that, when compared to other states, a lower percentage of Wisconsin residents have four-year college degrees – just 25 percent, compared to 27 percent nationally and 33 percent in Minnesota.
Through the “Growth Agenda for Wisconsin,” we will enroll and graduate more traditional students. The university also will reach out to working adult students and students from low-income backgrounds.
At UW-River Falls we plan to move in a conscientious manner with the other UW System campuses on the Growth Agenda, even as we undertake our own massive strategic planning process to articulate a new future for our campus and the St. Croix Valley.
One of UWRF’s primary objectives is to be efficient with our existing resources. We intend to invest funds to become an institution of excellence in programming for incoming first-year students. We’ll develop workshops, curriculum and support materials to connect students with our campus. This is one way we will assist more students to graduate prepared to be productive, creative, ethical and engaged in the growing knowledge economy.
UWRF also is included in proposals to recruit and retain a more diverse population among education majors, as well as to electronically monitor our students’ records so they enroll in the right courses on the schedule they need for their degree program, saving them both time and tuition.
As UWRF’s strategic planning process unfolds this fall, we’ll consider expanding our enrollment to meet the increasing educational demands of the dynamic St. Croix Valley. We’ll explore a range of initiatives: distance-learning classes; teaching at other locations; admitting more transfer students; adding undergraduates; and launching new graduate and certificate programs for adult learners. We’ll be asking future Legislatures to help with those funding needs.
Across the UW System, we’re ready to help more taxpaying, working adults access a UW education. A statewide program called the “Adult Student Initiative” would provide services and course delivery designed specifically for working adults who want to earn a four-year college degree.
A proposed financial aid program titled the “Wisconsin Covenant” would cover all tuition and fees as needed for Wisconsin’s students who fulfill a pledge they would make in the eighth grade. If they take rigorous high school classes and prepare themselves for college, the Wisconsin Covenant would make sure they do not have to worry about finances coming between them and the opportunity to attend a UW campus. The Wisconsin Covenant would not begin until 2011, but we’re asking elected leaders to fund increased financial aid for current UW students.
In the end, the “Growth Agenda for Wisconsin” is really about solving the silent crisis that confronts Wisconsin and the nation as a whole. National research shows if current trends continue, for every 100 of our eighth graders only 30 will earn a college degree. Without a college education in the knowledge economy, where will our other 70 kids end up? We believe the Growth Agenda will help create some promising futures.
2. Can working women have it all? Discussion to offer answers
Can today's women really have it all? Nearly two-thirds of today’s college students are female. As these women enter the workforce, they will face tremendous pressure to succeed professionally, while both individual and cultural pressures will lead many to strongly desire intimate partners and children. Many women will face significant challenges as they navigate the worlds of work, relationships and reproduction in their quest to “have it all.”
On Thursday, Nov. 16, Travis Tubre and Brad Caskey will present “Walking the Tightrope of Career and Family Planning.” Tubre is an industrial/organizational psychologist with expertise in gender issues in the worklplace. Caskey is a developmental psychologist with expertise in age-related changes in reproductive ability.
Community Classroom events are sponsored by the College of Arts and Science and the Outreach office of UW-River Falls. All events are free and open to the public. The lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the River Falls Public Library on Division and Union streets in River Falls.
No reservations are required. For more information, visit the web site or contact the Outreach office by email or call 800-228-5607.
3. Egypt, Vietnam, Costa Rica among J-Term destinations
UW-River Falls is offering a variety of courses this winter that are open to community members. Winter term begins Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 21, 2007; however, most classes start after the first of the year.
Most credit courses in business, art, management and other topics are offered on weekdays but one management course in “Investment Analysis” is held during the weekend of January 19-20.
Study tours to Egypt, Vietnam, Costa Rica and other destinations are open to the public. For trip costs, deposit information and application deadlines, visit www.uwrf.edu/international-programs.
For links to courses offered, course schedules, and registration information, visit www.uwrf.edu/jterm .
4. Spanish, Italian adult language classes coming in February
The UWRF Outreach Office plans to offer Spanish and Italian language classes in February 2007 for adults. The classes will be offered in the evenings, once a week and are designed to give people the skills to successfully communicate during their travels, whether for business or pleasure.
By December, more information on the classes will be available on the web site, or contact Cynthia Wells-O’Malley at 715/425-3261 or by email to receive class information when it is available.
5. UWRF Career Services Seeking Mock Interviewers for Nov. 8
The UWRF Fall Recruiting Season is off to a great start! The UWRF Career Fair is less than two weeks away and we are fortunate to have more than 100 employers coming to campus. The Etiquette Dinner is sold out and we are continuing to assist employers fill their on-campus recruiting schedules as well.
As an office we seek to prepare our students with critical skill sets for their career development. To increase our student's success in interviewing we offer Mock Interview Events for students to gain valuable feedback.
We need your help!
This semester we have more than 150 students signed up to participate in mock interviews, which will not be possible without your support. Mock interviews will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Hagestad Student Center. If you are interested in conducting mock interviews please contact Nancy Pace in Career Services by email or at 715-425-3572.
6. Phillips Plastics executive to describe new product launch challenges
The Center for Economic Research is sponsoring the fourth installment of its Friday Seminar Series featuring talks by business professionals and professors from the College of Business and Economics on a broad range of economic subjects.
Tim Farrell, a representative from the Phillips Plastics Corp., will present "Organizational Challenges in Launching New Products" on Nov. 17 in Room 321 South Hall from 3:15 to 4 p.m.
Farrell will share the technical and organizational challenges confronted by companies in introducing new products.
A social and refreshment reception precedes the seminar from 3 to 3:15 p.m. in 317 South Hall. The seminars are free and open to the public.
The final seminar in the series, "High School Economic Literacy: The Case of West-Central Wisconsin," will be on Dec. 1 with UWRF economics Professors Brian Schultz and Hamid Tabesh discussing the results of their research on if and how well high school students in west-central Wisconsin are learning economics.
For more information on the Friday Seminar Series, contact Tabesh by email or 715/425-3335.
7. Students crowd in to meet business reps at recent Career Fair
The 15th annual Career Fair was held Oct.18 in Karges Gymnasium. The fair was a tremendous success with more than 105 area employers and institutes of higher education in attendance, 45 of which were new organizations. The increased employer attendance drew a staggering 1,350 individuals, representing almost 500 more than last year. Fair-goers had the opportunity to meet with companies and speak with others from their field of interest, as well as seek out job and internship opportunities. The enhanced attendance provided significant networking opportunities for students and employers.
8. Area native is new UWRF Foundation president
A seasoned fundraising professional with ties to the Twin Cities has been named the executive director for university advancement and president of the UW-River Falls Foundation.
Nancy Devine will begin her duties with the university in November. She is serving as the executive director of development at the University of Detroit Mercy, a campus of 5,600 students and one of the oldest private universities in Michigan.
In making the announcement, Chancellor Don Betz noted, "Nancy brings a wealth of successful experience in all phases of advancement to this important position. Her career clearly demonstrates an exceptional passion and effectiveness for encouraging support for education and a gift for organization and interpersonal relations. Nancy will be joining the University Cabinet as a senior leader and will work directly with our much appreciated UW-River Falls Foundation Board."
In accepting the appointment, the St. Paul native related that she is excited by the opportunities that are on the horizon for UWRF.
"I'm delighted to join UW-River Falls as the executive director of the office of University Advancement and president of its foundation. During my visits to the campus, I found its leadership, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to be welcoming and passionate about the university.
"It's clear that the campus is poised on the edge of greatness. It is an excellent regional asset for education and outreach in the St. Croix Valley of western Wisconsin. It's proximity to the Twin Cities metropolitan area will provide many opportunities for developing successful new relationships.
"All of these assets will help University Advancement and the Foundation to generate the support that can make the difference in achieving our vision for the University."
Devine has worked at UDM for the past seven years, beginning her career there as director of a comprehensive campaign that achieved an unprecedented $101.3 million goal for the institution.
During the past three years, she simultaneously planned and implemented a new comprehensive campaign while strategically expanding the overall development program. Prior to her work at UDM, Devine was responsible for development, alumni relations, and advancement programs in non-profit organizations and higher education institutions, including the University of Minnesota and Arizona State University.
9. Key Business Contacts
Don't know where to start to find help on business matters?
Try these contacts:
Area Resource Center: www.uwrf.edu/current/info/AtoZ.phtml
Career Services: www.uwrf.edu/ccs/
Center For Economic Research: 715/425-3335
Center for Economic Education: 715/425-3269
College of Business and Economics:
www.uwrf.edu/cbe/
Outreach and Graduate Studies: www.uwrf.edu/ogs/
Small Business Development Center:
715/425-0620
Survey Research Center: 715/425-0701
UW-RF BizNews is produced by the College of Business
& Economics, Outreach and Graduate Studies, Career
and Counseling Services, and the Office of Public Affairs.
Questions, comments or suggestions about this BizNews
E-mail? Contact Mark.A.Kinders@uwrf.edu.
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