Profile for Willem Vanroosenbeek

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center, received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Leadership Award at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration on Jan. 15 in Viterbo University. Thank you to Barbara Stewart, Stacy Narcitta-Welp, Dr. Andrew Ives, and Dr Darci Thoune for nominating me for this award!

Submitted on: Jan. 16

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; Andrew Ericson, Sustainability; and Blythe McConaughey, Violence Prevention; presented on how we came to work in sustainability, violence prevention, and LGBTQ+ advocacy at the International Youth Media Summit July 27 in La Crosse. They shared with student leaders from over 20 countries participating in a media summit. Ericson was the mentor for the group focused on sustainability, Blythe was the mentor for the group focused on violence, and Will was the mentor for the group focused on discrimination. Each group will be creating a three-minute PSA about their topic area.

Submitted on: July 31, 2023

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center, presented "The Future is Nonbianry and Queer" at the 2023 Adolescent Health Symposium on Feb. 17 online.

Submitted on: Feb. 20, 2023

KJ Newkirk, Mikka Nyarko, Anders Cedergren, Keely Rees and Emily Whitney, all Public Health and Community Health Education; Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; and Casey Tobin, Psychology; co-authored the book "Be the Change: Putting Health Advocacy, Policy, and Community Organization into Practice in Public Health Education" published on Oct. 14 by Oxford University Press . Advocacy has become a key part of public health degree programs across the country. Many programs have added policy and advocacy courses into curricula in response to new emphases in accreditation requirements, yet few public health textbooks comprehensively cover the advocacy skills that health professionals need to effect change. Be the Change is an affordable introductory resource on public health advocacy, policy, and community organizing for both undergraduate and graduate students within the health and social sciences. Using a conversational and reader-friendly style, the authors draw on their experience as diverse advocates and practitioners in the field to synthesize the purpose, strategies, and tactics used in successful advocacy campaigns in public health. In each chapter, they highlight case studies of actual advocacy campaigns alongside concrete strategic recommendations for implementing change at the local, state, and federal levels. Full of useful stories and advice, Be the Change amplifies the important advocacy work happening around the United States, from traditional health organizations to grassroots community activists, and provides readers with the tools and inspiration to put advocacy into practice every day. REVIEWS: "Few people truly understand how policy shapes our health. In simple language, Be The Change helps practitioners understand this critical connection and provides them with strategies from real world success stories to determine where they can act most effectively." -- Larry Cohen, Founder, Prevention Institute and author, Prevention Diaries "A timely and practical playbook, Be the Change offers students the how-to skills for change-making. An essential read for all students who want to make the world a better place." -- Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, Flint pediatrician and author of What the Eyes Don't See "As a public health researcher, I know that racism, not race, is a fundamental cause of racial health inequities. Structural racism is a fixable problem, and policy makers have the power to enact solutions. This book is a tool to educate and empower public health changemakers, providing them with context, wisdom, and inspiration to build our shared vision of an antiracist future." -- Rachel Hardeman, PhD, MPH, Founding Director, Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Submitted on: Nov. 11, 2022

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center, presented "The Art of Calm" at Midwest BLGTA College Conference on Oct. 22 in Columbus, OH. Work demands, pandemic uncertainty, families, friends, and boredom could be taking their toll on our ability to find quiet, peace, and/or calm. Roosenbeek explored techniques to restore, calm and get back to center.

Submitted on: Oct. 30, 2022

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center, was elected Madison representative for Academic Staff Council.

Submitted on: Aug. 8, 2022

Courtney Warax, New Student & Family Programs; Lisa Klein, Community Engagement; Scott Brown, Facilities Planning & Management; Chelsea Wyman, Murphy Library; Justin Davis, Music; Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; Nathan Barnhart, Rec Sports; Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation; Jenni Brundage and Andie Coxey, both Residence Life; Jamie Henk, Student Association student; Kyle Burke, Magann Dykema, Drea Higgins, Michael Slevin and Corey Stilwell, all University Centers; Kaylie Connaughty and Maren Walz, both University Marketing & Communications; and Gabrielle Smartt, Wellness, Health Advocacy; served on the Eagle Fest Planning Committee. The planning committee was responsible for Eagle Fest, a festival full of music, entertainment, food, and fun. It was an exciting opportunity for all students, faculty, staff, family members and local community neighbors to come together and celebrate the beginning of the fall semester!

Submitted on: Sept. 13, 2021

Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center, presented "Telling Our Stories" at 2021 ACUI Webinar on April 23 online. Will served as one of the panelists. To honor GLSEN’s Day of Silence and pay tribute to the LGBTQIA story, the LGBTQ+ Community of Practice is hosted a virtual event of “Telling Our Stories.'' This storytelling experience was mirrored after a traditional educational session held at the annual conferences over the years. For this session, there will be a panel that will be sharing their stories.

Submitted on: April 26, 2021

Richard Breaux, Ethnic & Racial Studies; Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; and Ryan McKelley, Psychology; presented "Race and Ethnicity; Gender and Sexuality; Abilities and Mental Health (respectively)" at the Onalaska School District's Equity Day on Friday, Feb. 12 online.

Submitted on: Feb. 12, 2021

Submitted on: Nov. 25, 2019