Friend of Graduate & Extended Learning Award
A page within Graduate & Extended Learning
Friend of Graduate & Extended Learning Award Ceremony and Reception
April 17, 2024
3–4 p.m. | Hall of Nations, 1300 Centennial Hall
The Friend of Graduate & Extended Learning Award recognizes University of Wisconsin-La Crosse faculty and staff who, through their collaboration with Graduate & Extended Learning, have created and supported learning opportunities that extend UW-La Crosse into the community. These individuals share Graduate & Extended Learning’s commitment to public service, life-long learning, and growth through collaboration.
UWL Admissions
So many individuals within the UWL Admissions team contribute to the success of Graduate & Extended Learning programs that we are giving them the first office-wide Friend of Graduate & Extended Learning award. The collaboration between our units spans the full range of student types, from middle schoolers setting foot on campus for the first time, to high school Concurrent Enrollment applicants, to prospective domestic and international graduate students, to individuals documenting professional development with university credit. In this work, we greatly value their clear communication, can-do attitude, attention to detail, and commitment to helping applicants succeed. The hard work of the Admissions team ensures functional processes and effective collaborations that enhance the reputation of UWL.
Keely Rees, Professor and Chair - Public Health & Community Health Education; Academic Director - Healthcare Administration
Dr. Rees continues the tradition of close engagement between the Public Health & Community Health Education Department (PHCHE) and Graduate & Extended Learning. She serves as the founding Academic Director of UWL's Healthcare Administration (HCA) program. She plays an important role in the collaborative working group which oversees the program, and provides excellent advising and support to the graduate students enrolling through UWL. As director for one of the first collaborative programs on campus, Dr. Rees developed multiple innovations in program management that have then been applied in other programs. As Chair of PHCHE, Dr. Rees has also played an important supporting role in the re-establishment of the UWL Master's of Public Health online program. Dr. Rees has also partnered on a variety of other credit and non-credit offerings on the topics of nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness.
Michael Slevin, Associate Director - University Centers
Michael Slevin’s role as Associate Director of University Centers is central to our ability to hold successful events in the Student Union. His comprehensive approach to event planning and management, and gift at connecting the individuals involved help ensure that events run smoothly. He is very understanding about the fact that different clients have different needs — which sometimes means having to think outside the box. When situations change and we work together to solve problems, he is always approachable, responsive, and accessible. His careful attention to detail and proactive problem-solving makes us look good. We feel like he understands the way our team operates and extends his idea of who “his” team is to encompass our own. His broad idea of what it means to host an event “as UWL” results in high ratings from our clients and program participants for events in the Student Union.