Newsletter
A page within Access, Belonging & Compliance
AB&C Newsletter
April 2026
In the April 2026 issue
- April is Here!
- Signature events
- Other upcoming events
- Student of the Month
- Community events
- Stay involved!
April is Here!
Hello, UWL Community,
Hard to believe this will be our last formal newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year! It has been a year full of opportunity, growth, and achievement, and so it is with overwhelming gratitude and pride that we welcome this final month (and change) of recognition and celebration, as April and early May are packed with end-of-year feasts and ceremonies highlighting the outstanding successes and remarkable diversity of our students!
This month, we are particularly excited to bring you UWL's 10th Annual Social Justice Week (April 7-9). Under the theme "Community Healing & Collective Care," this event will feature workshops, speakers, and processing spaces calling us to engage in the work of community healing. We encourage everyone to participate and contribute to these important conversations.
In addition to Social Justice Week, UWL’s Center for Civil Dialogue & Civic Engagement and Campus Thread, our community closet, bring you their annual fashion show, Nothing New Under the Sun (April 20). This celebration of sustainability, community, and shared abundance is bound to be glamorous and fun-filled—don’t miss it!
Also, the next installment of UWL Celebrates will recognize Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and will feature a couch conversation with Exercise & Sport Science associate professor and associate department chair Dr. Naoko Giblin. Join us May 6 for great food, community, and dialogue!
We look forward to engaging and celebrating with you! Thank you for being such amazing partners and collaborators in the great project that is UWL.
In Community,
Stacy Narcotta-Welp, Vice Chancellor
Dr. Nevin J. Heard, Asst. Vice Chancellor
Signature events
-
Social Justice Week 2026
Community Healing & Collective Care
Multiple locations
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tue, April 7 -
UWL Celebrates: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Couch Conversation with Dr. Naoko Giblin
The Bluffs Ballroom Student Union
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wed, May 6
Other upcoming events
-
Wednesdays with Planned Parenthood
Stop by for support, resources, and good conversation
Pride Center
Multiple dates (2 upcoming) -
Feast Of The East
A student org event from Asian Student Organization
Miller Bluffs
5 to 10 p.m. Fri, April 10 -
TRIO Graduation Celebration
Honoring SSS & McNair Graduates
3310 Centennial Hall
4 to 5:30 p.m. Fri, April 24 -
OMSS & MSO Banquet
A Celebration of Accomplishments
Miller Bluff, 2110 Student Union
5 to 8 p.m. Wed, April 29 -
Sarah's Oil Movie Screening
Student Union Theatre, 120 Student Union
5:30 to 8 p.m. Fri, May 1 -
Rainbow Graduation
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Graduates
3105 Student Union
5 to 6 p.m. Tue, May 5 -
Cultural Food Celebrations
Whitney Center
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thu, May 7 -
Thursdays with Pastor Kathryn
Drop in, chat, and find support in both queer and spiritual identities.
Pride Center
Multiple dates
Student of the Month
Gilbert Marquez
College of Science & Health
PRONOUNS
He/Him/His
YEAR IN SCHOOL
4th year/Senior
ANTICIPATED GRADUATION YEAR
2026
MAJOR & MINOR
Major: Chemistry Minor: Chinese Studies
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT
What student orgs, teams, or leadership roles are you a part of?
Currently: UWL Phi Sigma Iota (Social Media Coordinator), Undergraduate Research (Independent Project+ Teaching new students lab work), Chinese Culture Club (President), Residence Life (Assistant Hall Director).
In the Past: First Year Research Exposure (Mentee, then Mentor), Hekima Scholars Program (Mentee, then TA), Latin American Student Organization (Treasurer), Residence Life (Pre-Health LLC RA), National Society of Leadership and Success (Small group coordinator during induction), Admissions (Tours for Latinx visit days, Eagle of Greater Milwaukee event, will be doing an Arcadia visit)
What campus resources have been meaningful for you?
OMSS, Residence Life, SRCEL, and Global Cultures and Languages have all been incredibly important resources for my growth as a person during my time at UWL. Each has given unique and cornerstone support that have helped build me in so little time.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Hobbies, passions, or fun facts:
I like playing guitar in my free time and have learned completely from YouTube! I also have enjoyed volunteering when I find the time to. I also got my Eagle Scout Award during high school and have gotten to do anything from scuba diving in the Bahamas to Backpacking in Rural New Mexico!
Favorite spot on campus:
My favorite spot to study on Campus is on the second floor of Wittich Hall. Plus, Murphy's Mug is the best place on campus for coffee!
Book, movie, game, or show you love right now:
I really enjoy playing pool! Top Shots downtown is a hidden treasure for newcomers who like to play pool.
Hidden talent or surprising skill:
A fun fact about me is that I am trilingual in Mandarin where I achieved a certificate of intermediate-mid proficiency in 3 semesters! I am also a heritage speaker of Spanish!
ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
Something you're proud of:
One thing that I am proud of is my connections to others. I always like to remind myself that I am getting my education to be in the business of helping people. So, when I am able to make more friends or have a fun conversation, I always try my best to take the opportunity. I've learned so much from people who are different than me. I'm especially proud of the connections to others that I have made at UWL.
Recent accomplishment or milestone:
A recent accomplishment that I have done is getting UWL Phi Sigma Iota Omega Tau Chapter #280 registered with the COVE on MyOrgs! This is an honor society for those who study foreign languages and related fields!
LOOKING AHEAD
Career goals / Dreams after graduation:
5 days after graduation, I will be going to Hangzhou, China for 3 weeks on a faculty led study abroad! I will also be applying to medical schools this summer. Lastly, I will also be getting a certification in phlebotomy!
One piece of advice you'd give to other UWL students:
One piece of advice I would give to other UWL students is to have a strong work-life balance. Make sure that you can both achieve your goals and stop to smell the flowers and appreciate how precious the little moments of free time are!
Community events
- Not Hot Ones
When: 6 - 9 p.m., Thursday, May 14
Where: The Root Note, La Crosse
Stay involved!
If you're interested in having your event featured in our AB&C Monthly Newsletter, please reach out to belonging@uwlax.edu.
