Academic Unit Annual Summaries

2025-2026

In FY26, the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH) continued emphasizing global citizenship and career-readiness as key elements in our academic programs, particularly during college recruitment activities. During the past year we received approval of new undergraduate certificates in Science, Technology, and Society along with Intercultural Competence for Career Readiness, and the UW System Administration supported our Notice of Intent to plan a new interdisciplinary major in Digital Media Studies, a joint effort by graphic design (ART), media studies (CST), and technical writing (ENG). The Board of Regents further granted final approval for a new major in Criminology. The International and Global Studies minor along with the Psychology program successfully completed the academic program review process.

CASSH funded an internal small grants program providing $72,500 for 13 projects designed to ease bottlenecks impeding student progress toward graduation and/or explore innovative new academic programs responding to student demand and market trends. The Dean’s Office further allocated $206,000 for one-time equipment purchases across the college, and CASSH received an additional $319,000 from a unique central administration initiative funding one-time big-ticket items for Archaeology, Art, Music, Psychology, and Theatre. CASSH also provided $15,000 supplementing faculty travel to international conferences.

We hosted the 24th Annual Recognition of Excellence acknowledging college award recipients. Lorena Ochoa Campo (GCL) and Melina Packer (RGSS) received research awards, Josh Doster (ART) won the service award, and Antonio Martin Gomez (GCL) was recognized with a teaching award. Additional award recipients were Scott Makstenieks (CST) with the academic staff service award, Katie Olan (ART) for the university staff award, and Ellen Rosek (PSY) the inclusive excellence award. Andrea Hanson, Director of the Self-Sufficiency Program, received the community engagement award and Katherine Spence (SOC/CRIM) was selected for the John E. Magerus Award as the outstanding graduating senior. Retiring Provost, long-term Psychology Chair, and faculty member Betsy Morgan was presented with the Friend of CASSH Award for her dedication, service, and leadership over the past three decades.  All awardees, including outstanding students selected by their departments, can be viewed at https://www.uwlax.edu/cassh/recognition-of-excellence/ 

CASSH faculty/IAS were presented with significant university-level honors this year. Jarred Pfeiffer (ART) and Kevin Zabel (PSY) received the Eagle Excellence in Teaching Award, Victoria Calmes (GCL) the Eagle Excellence in Academic Advising Award along with the Altman Award in Leadership from International Education and Engagement (IEE), Zach Stensen (ART) the Most Accessibly Instructor Award from DREAM, and Olivia Stoltman (ENG) the ESSLY Faculty of the Year Award from UWL Athletics. 

In FY26, CASSH welcomed Lee Xiong (ADA in ENG), seven tenure-track faculty, and three assistant teaching professors. Nine faculty earned promotion to associate professor and three to professor, one IAS member advanced to associate teaching professor, and nine faculty were tenured. Kate Lavelle (CST), Jonathan Borja (MUS), and Devin Bright (Military Science) began as department chairs, while Sam Cocks (PHL), Tori Svoboda (SAA), Tim Gongaware (SOC/CRIM), and Kate Parker (ENG) concluded terms as chairs at the end of the academic year. Four faculty (Alan Bigel, David Hart, Ronda Leahy, and James Szymalak) and one staff member (Andrea Hanson) retired after productive careers and many important contributions to UWL.

Faculty/IAS continued strong scholarly and creative productivity. As of June 1, 2026, our faculty/IAS published, or had accepted for publication, five books, 40 articles, and 27 book chapters, along with providing 117 presentations, 93 performances or exhibits, and being awarded ten external grants totaling $187,107. Seven individuals received awards from external organizations for their work.

Karl Kunkel, CASSH Dean since July 2019, returns to faculty on June 30, 2026, after serving seven years at UWL including Spring 2024 as Interim Provost. Following a national search, Associate Dean Marie Moeller begins as CASSH Dean on July 1.

2025-2026

Our faculty were productive this year with 3 journal articles, 4 scholarly book chapters, 3 research reports,3 digital exhibits, 9 academic conference presentations (mostly international), and 9 service presentations. Faculty were also awarded funding totaling nearly $100,000. Faculty remain actively engaged in scholarship in the Midwest, Egypt, Serbia, Ukraine, Southeast Asia, and the Andes.

Two faculty members were recognized for outstanding teaching and scholarship, respectively. Dr. Anderson received the Most Accessible Award by DREAM (Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring) on campus. Dr. Walder was awarded the Outstanding Public Archaeology Initiative Award by the Society for American Archaeology for contributions in the book A Practitioners Guide to Public Archaeology.

Three of our students received Undergraduate Research Grants and 12 presented their research at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium hosted at UWL. Moreover, 5 of our students were selected as Undergraduate Research & Creativity Laureates for significant achievements in research.

Our program enrollments grew to their highest levels since before COVID with 108 majors and 55 minors (91 Archaeology Majors, 17 Cultural Anthropology Majors, 45 Anthropology Minors, and 10 Archaeology Minors). Our overall contribution to the GE program was strong with 30 sections of 8 different courses serving over 900 students.

Our faculty members serve on key UWL committees including Joint Planning and Budget, IRB, General Education Assessment, International Education, and Undergraduate Research. Notable professional leadership roles among our faculty include American Research Center in Egypt Board Member, Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica Board Member, Midwest Archaeology Conference Board Member, Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation Office Consultant, La Crosse County Historical Society Board Member, Hmong Education Project Consultant, Society for American Archaeology Teacher Awards Committee Member, and Field Museum Elemental Analysis Facility Scientific Committee Member. Faculty are also reviewers for important professional organizations and funding agencies including the National Science Foundation.

2025-2026

It was a productive year for the Art Department. We improved digital accessibility, transitioned to Workday, and planned for the new Gen Ed curriculum. We focused on recruitment efforts, revised bylaws, updated programmatic curriculum (especially the photo minor), and refined program assessment. We earned 10 grants in support of teaching and curriculum development and collaborated with CST and ENG to propose a major in Digital Media & Design. We secured approval for a new tenure-track faculty line in Art Education and successfully hired Katheryn Sowinski. With support from the CASSH Dean’s Office, we replaced equipment, updated and expanded the Design Studio, and planned upgrades to the Art Education Studio and the woodfire kiln. Amid all this, we maintained our commitment to teaching excellence and student success.

Collectively, we produced 22 exhibitions, 3 publications, and 8 presentations. We engaged in professional development, and held leadership and service roles across the department, college, university, and the greater community.

Stensen earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. Manke and Doster completed successful third-year non-contract reviews. We welcomed lecturers Tony Letourneau, Natalia Rocafuerte, Paige Brevick, Evan McAllister, and Jason Starin.

The UWL Art Gallery held five exhibitions, co-directed by Stensen, Rooney, and Schneider. We hosted public events and visiting artists including Travis Head, Wilay Méndez Páez (in collaboration with GCL), Lettie Jane Renninkamp, and “Fifty Years Later: Commemorating the End of the Secret War” an exhibition curated by student Yia Vue. We also held our annual Open House, the Visual Arts Classic (high school art competition), and a student exhibition at the Rivoli Arts Building Gallery. We elected Rooney, Stensen, and Manke as Gallery Co-Directors for a three-year term beginning fall 2026.

Rooney and Pfeiffer were awarded sabbaticals (2026-27). Rooney received a UW Fellowship at the Institute for Research in the Humanities (Spring 2026). Olan was awarded the CASSH Staff Recognition of Excellence, and Doster the Faculty Recognition of Excellence for Service. Pfeiffer earned an Eagle Teaching Excellence Award, and Lenarz is a finalist for WAEA Art Educator of the Year. Stensen was awarded the UWL Most Accessible Instructor Award, and the Art Department was recognized as the Most Accessible Department.

2025-2026

Our department had numerous individual successes during the 2025-26 academic year. Scott Maksteniecks won the CASSH Academic Staff Recognition of Excellence and Heather Gahler’s co-authored paper won the top paper at the National Communication Association’s Communication & Aging Division. Three of our faculty (R. Brandon Anderson, Weixu Lu, and Taylor C. Miller) were promoted to Associate Professor. Anderson and Miller were both granted tenure effective July 1, and one of our IAS Redbook colleagues, Nick Raes was promoted to Associate Teaching Professor effective July 1, 2026. Beth Boser, Linda Dickmeyer, and Greg Ormes received a CASSH Small Grant for revisions to the CST Research Core. Ashley Edwards was the co-principal on a UWL grant about academic help-seeking. Edwards also received a Spring 2026 sabbatical to work on a larger project about help-seeking in higher education. Taylor Cole Miller was the co-editor of the book “The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai” (September 2025). As a whole, our departmental members published 11 journal articles and 8 new book chapters, and presented them at a variety of international, national, and regional conferences. We had departmental members nominated for Eagle Teaching Awards, ESSLY Awards, and Most Accessible Teaching Awards, and the CST 110 instructors, under the direction of Basic Course Director Brandon Anderson, completed General Education Assessment of the course. This summer, our colleague Dr. Ronda Leahy is retiring from UWL after 30 years of service in the department.

2025-2026

In 2025-2026 the English department continued to uphold its mission of “prepar[ing] students [to be] future professionals and responsible citizens through the close study of language, writing, literature and culture.” Central to this mission is the outstanding teaching, research and service commitments exhibited by English department faculty.

Dr. Merideth Garcia was promoted to Professor. We hired a new Assistant Professor, Dr. Shannon McClellan Brooks. We also welcomed Lee Xiong, our wonderful new ADA, to the department in August.

In 2025-2026, our department finalized several major curriculum overhauls that had been in progress for years. Our recruitment efforts remain strong, largely thanks to the work of our interns. One of our events, Rest Fest, drew a crowd of 350+ students.

Our Associate Chair and several faculty collaborated with Art and Communication Studies to develop a Digital Media Studies and Design major.

Our Creative Writing Program co-organized the Flow State Literary Series in collaboration with the Pump House and Pearl Street Books. Volume 29 of our student-edited literary and arts journal, Steam Ticket, was published this spring; English students also annually produce the university’s creative works journal The Catalyst. The Jail Literacy Program, now in its eleventh year, hosted the second annual Bernatovich Jail Literacy Speaker Series.

The first annual English Excellence Awards recognized students in first-year writing, general education literature, and English degree programs.

2025-2026

During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Department of Global Cultures and Languages (GCL) continued to prioritize student recruitment and retention in language and intercultural competence programs while expanding experiential learning opportunities through community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations across campus. Faculty worked closely with the Offices of Admissions, Academic Advising, International Education and Engagement, and Extended Learning to strengthen student pathways into language study. GCL maintained its support for outreach initiatives such as Latinx Parent College and campus visits for area high schools and significantly expanded its Concurrent Enrollment programming by establishing four new Spanish and Chinese partnerships with school districts in the La Crosse and Milwaukee regions. GCL also continued to strengthen its leadership in career readiness through its growing Language for Professional Purposes certificate programs in Spanish and Chinese, which remain among the department's fastest-growing academic offerings.

The department celebrated another exceptional year of faculty accomplishments. Dr. Martín-Gómez and Dr. Ochoa Campo earned tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor. Two additional faculty members are expected to seek promotion to Full Professor during the 2026–2027 academic year. Dr. Martín-Gómez received the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities Teaching Excellence Award, while Dr. Ochoa Campo received the College's Research Excellence Award. Dr. Hongying Xu and Victoria Calmes were recognized by the Office of International Education and Engagement for their outstanding contributions to internationalization at UWL. GCL continues to be a campus leader in international education through its successful faculty-led study abroad programs in Spain, China, and Ecuador (Medical Spanish), as well as a new interdisciplinary program in Panama and Colombia designed for students in business-related fields.

GCL also strengthened its partnership with the UW System Collaborative Language Program through continued participation in this system-wide initiative. Faculty maintained an active scholarly and creative agenda, publishing books, articles, and creative works; presenting more than fifteen papers and workshops at local, national, and international conferences; and securing numerous internal and external grants supporting teaching, research, and public engagement. The department hosted several major cultural and educational events, including UWL Chinese Day, Russian Culture Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Spanish Film Festival, while also welcoming visiting international artists and scholars to campus. GCL is also home to the Institute for Latin American and Latino Studies (ILLAS), which continues to serve as a hub for academic programming, cultural events, community partnerships, and public outreach across the region.

Within the language sections, Spanish continued to experience strong growth in enrollment in the Spanish for Professional Purposes Certificate. Spanish faculty successfully completed an extensive year-long curriculum revision supported by a Curriculum Redesign Grant from the Provost's Office. Working closely with the Offices of Admissions and Records, faculty revised placement policies, retroactive credit, concurrent enrollment pathways, and transfer procedures to create more flexible entry points into the program while reducing students' time to degree. The French program also began a comprehensive curriculum revision. The department devoted significant attention to strategic planning around recruitment and retention in light of the implementation of the new General Education Program. Early indicators suggest improvements in student interest, with Russian enrollments remaining stable and Chinese enrollments continuing to grow significantly.

The department also made substantial progress with the recent approval of an interdisciplinary Certificate in Intercultural Competence designed for students outside language majors and minors. Faculty completed curriculum development, workshops, and proposal preparation during the year. The program represents an important step toward establishing intercultural competence as a central component of the educational experience for students across the university.

Department faculty remained actively engaged in university governance and professional service. Faculty served on numerous advising committees, strategic planning initiatives, Faculty Senate, General Education, CATL fellowships, and other university task forces while continuing to provide leadership within professional organizations and community partnerships. Through its commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, community engagement, and internationalization, GCL continues to play a vital role in advancing UWL's mission and preparing students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

2025-2026

2025-2026

The Department of Music’s 2025-206 year was successful. Over fifty unique courses served general education students, student-musicians in music ensembles, music and music education majors, and music/music performance minors taking lessons and completing coursework for their respective programs. The Department congratulates the 15 senior capstone recitals this year (voice, cello, piano, saxophone, guitar, horn, and trombone). Live performances included more than 55 UWL student performances and around 70 faculty performances from local to international in scope, cumulating in over 125 live music performances during the year. The faculty’s expertise as teachers, musicians and composers were regularly on display, including 98 research and creative activity-related events that include paper presentations, guest lectures, adjudication, performances, master classes, compositions or arrangements. Throughout the year, faculty engaged with departments across the campus to create an integrated university experience. Faculty were awarded over $50,000 in internal and external grants to promote scholarly work. Guest artists this year included baritone Dashon Burton, pianist Lindsay Garritson, Zeitgeist new music ensemble, fortepianist Daniel Adam Maltz, among others. Faculty and students were engaged with recruiting events including outreach concerts and clinics, High School Band Day, PianoFest, Honors Wind Ensemble, Honors Orchestra, the Festival of Voices, featuring the Concert Choir, La Crosse Chamber Chorale, Viterbo Concert Choir and selected area high school students. WSMA State Solo & Ensemble, and hosting a booth at the WMEA State Conference.

2025-2026

The Department of Philosophy remains a vital part of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, as evidenced by a number of accomplishments. As of June 23, 2026, IR data report 19 declared majors (4 graduated in AY26), up 6 from the same time last year; 15 minors; and 7 students enrolled in the AI Ethics Certificate. Faculty published one book chapter, presented research at five academic conferences spanning regional, national, and international levels, and at three community, one regional, and one college event, and delivered a total of six service presentations—four at the college level and two at the regional level. Drs. Ross and Cocks reviewed conference abstracts and journal submissions. Dr. Eskew received a faculty research grant for AY27 on Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Medical Ethics. Course enrollments remain strong, with Philosophy playing a vital role across multiple campus programs. Faculty hold major service roles, including UPAC, GEC, FS SEC, PTS, and APC. Faculty also played a leadership role in the implementation of the university's revised General Education program. Faculty participated in three CATL workshops, a workshop on suicide prevention hosted by the Counseling Center, and the 2026 Discussion Project. We provide a Philosophy and Film student club and a Philosophy Club. Two of Dr. Eskew’s courses, Medical Ethics (PHL 339) and Ethics and AI (PHL 304), are now designated for Community Engagement Learning. Faculty continued to pursue new curricular partnerships and teaching opportunities, including the cross-listing of American Political Theory (PHL/POL 350). Drs. Cocks and Ross secured support from the Birchler fund for two prominent speakers for AY27: Anne Libera (Comedy Studies specialist) and Peter Godfrey-Smith (Philosophy of Biology). In addition, both Ross and Cocks met expectations regarding Post Tenure Review. Associate Professor Dr. Schneider received unanimous departmental, college, and university support for tenure. Dr. Ross will assume the position of department chair as of July 1st, AY26. Joshua Schulze-Reimpell received the PHL student excellence award. The department continues to provide administrative and curricular support for Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

2025-2026

The 2025–2026 academic year was another period of dynamic activity and significant achievement for the Political Science and Public Administration Department. Building on its solid foundation, the department continued its commitment to curriculum excellence, undertaking significant updates to several existing courses. A notable effort this year involved a major realignment of the program learning outcomes and assessment plans for all major and minor tracks served by the department, highlighting the specific ways in which our programs help students achieve "Eagle Advantage" outcomes. These ongoing curriculum developments are central to providing students with a cutting-edge education in political science and public administration.

Beyond the classroom, the department remained dedicated to providing students with valuable real-world experiences and engagement opportunities. The annual "UWL in Madison" trip once again brought a group of students to the state capital for a full day of learning focused on internships, job prospects, and networking at the Capitol, followed by a well-attended alumni reception. Once again, a number of students presented their research at the prestigious Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) annual conference and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), underscoring the department's strong commitment to undergraduate scholarship. Additionally, the department is thrilled to continue it its support for exciting faculty-led study abroad programs, including Budapest in Summer 2026 and a return to Barcelona in Summer 2027.

2025-2026

During the 25-26 academic year, the UWL Psychology department demonstrated strong productivity across teaching, scholarship, and all levels of service.

Teaching: Psychology serves nearly 1000 UWL students as majors and minors, as well as numerous courses that serve the university as general education offerings. Ranked faculty not receiving release for administrative work provide 12 credits of course offering during each the fall and spring semesters. In the 25-26 year, 10 of 23 full-time faculty received 14 nominations for teaching excellence awards, and mentored over 40 undergraduate research projects with 21 students presenting at professional conferences (MPA, APA), and dozens presenting at UWL’s Research & Creativity Symposium. Additionally, each faculty member provides academic advising for ~25 students each semester.

Scholarship: Psychology faculty are active scholars and undergraduate research mentors, with nearly all full-time faculty engaging in consistent ongoing research. In 25-26, faculty published 33 papers and nine books or chapters in peer-reviewed outlets, with an additional 16 papers or chapters currently under review. Faculty provided 45 presentations at professional conferences and contributed invited editorial or review feedback for 53 peer-reviewed outlets. Further, faculty actively seek grant support for scholarship, with awards exceeding $40,000 during the 25-26 year.

Service: Psychology faculty service contributions were substantial and diverse across the department, college, and university levels, including important roles on IRB, administrative S&S committees, faculty senate, and Senate Executive Committee. Faculty engage in regular university recruitment activities and attend or lead faculty development activities numbering in the hundreds each year, including many certifications for Master Advising and CIMER training. Service contributions to the community and professional field are also significant, with dozens of presentations for both professional organizations and local organizations, including Chileda and The Parenting Place.

2025-2026

AY 2025/2026 was an impressive year for RGSS, full of departmental and individual accomplishments. Drs. Iwai, Lilley, and Packer each received nominations for the Provost Eagle Teaching Award. Dr. Packer was the recipient of the 2026 CASSH Recognition of Excellence Award for Faculty Research and Creative Activity, releasing Feminism in the Wild with Ambika Kamath (her second book of 2025!). Andrea Hansen, retiring this year, was recipient of the 2026 CASSH Recognition of Excellence Award for Community Engagement. Dr. Sona Kazemi published her first book, Disabling Relations: Wounded Bodyminds and Transnational Praxis and was also honored as one of ALANA’s Phenomenal Women. Dr. Richard Breaux attended several conferences and authored the chapter "Cityscapes, Soundscapes, and Centering Arab American Biographies in Public History," in "Arab American Public History,” (Temple University Press). Dr. Iwai is bringing the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs (MCAA) to UWL in the fall of 2026, introduced a new course on anime, and was also a  speaker for a film series sponsored by the Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at UW-Madison in partnership with the Rivoli Theatre in La Crosse.

RGSS continued to provide invaluable service to the university via an incredibly high general education load. In AY 2025/2026, 1,566 students took our RGS 100 course. Despite this heavy general education load, the department continued to offer a variety of upper division offerings and independent studies to our majors, minors, and other students from across the university. The department has also added new courses to our offerings and has offered multiple courses associated with Living and Learning Communities, led by Dr. Richard Breaux and Kristi Bechtel.

Finally, the department completed a revision of our bylaws and instituted new program level student learning outcomes. The department also began the work of reviewing and re-tooling the major and minor, a task which will continue in the next AY.

2025-2026

The most notable department achievement this year was the UW Board of Regents approval on September 18, 2025, for us to implement our proposal for offering a Criminology Major. In December faculty voted unanimously to rename our program the Department of Sociology & Criminology. We finished implementing the new major and officially accepted new Criminology Majors in January 2026. Additionally, we welcomed two new faculty members, Dr. Tyler Flockhart and Dr. Alyssa LaBerge. Dr. Flockhart’s work will help us further building and solidify our program’s focus in the sociology of health, care, and illness while Dr. LaBerge’s work adds a criminology focus on youth and juvenile justice.

Faculty activities focused on retaining our 209 Sociology Majors/Minors, 146 Criminal Justice Minors, supervising 9 undergraduate research projects, recruiting new majors, and welcoming 63 Criminology Majors who declared during the spring. Simultaneously, the faculty focused on scholarship activities including four peer-reviewed research publications, two trade magazine publications, eight research presentations, two teaching grants, and three research grants. Faculty also stayed active in serving 14 UWL committees, 6 professional committees, holding twelve community organization positions, and giving seven formal service presentations. Two faculty serve as UWL Faculty Senators, and Dr. Bakken continues as Director of UWL Student Research & Experiential Learning and Chair of the Wisconsin Council on Undergraduate Research.

There was much to celebrate this year as UWL alum Elizabeth Evans (Sociology, '05), was presented the 2026 Betsy Morgan Improving the Lives of Others award for her work as community impact director for the Great Rivers United Way. This spring student Katie Spence was presented with the 2026 John E. Magerus Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. Dr. Timothy Gongaware was awarded a sabbatical for Fall 2026. Finally, Dr. Shanna Felix was granted tenure and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor.

2025-2026

2025-2026

Sustainability & Environmental Studies represented CASSH well in the 2025-2026 year. As of April, 52 students were enrolled in this minor. A CIM form was submitted to propose a new certificate in Sustainability Leadership. We are implementing a growth plan for the minor that was submitted in fall 2025. The program hosted 100 students from Longfellow Middle School and seven well-attended events open to the public, including a film screening hosted by ENV 312 students and an evening speaker from UW- Madison. The two full-time IAS faculty collaborated in a college grant and two UWL grants; Remsburg received the Prairie Springs leadership award. They presented scholarly work conducted with students at two conferences, Social Justice Week, Earth Week, and two community events. Service on campus included River Studies Center leadership team, Strategic Plan workgroup 4.3, SfS club faculty advisor, Indigenous Actions Collective co-chair, JCES membership, and Prairie Springs Award committee. Service in the community included City Hall Victory Garden, school district Sustainability committee, Solar on La Crosse Schools (director), Wisconsin Bicycle Federation board, Indigenous Film Series, and Indigenous People’s Day.Courses in this minor excel in community engagement and experiential learning. 17 students completed service-learning projects and internships with 16 community partners, including 6 new partnerships. We update a document on the ENV news webpage each week to highlight local environmental events (85 different events in fall, 50 in spring). Guest speakers visited 50 ENV class periods this year, and 26 trips took place by bus during class. Instructors led dozens of walking field trips and in-class activities such as food preparation and testing appliance watts.Three part-time IAS teach in the program each semester; two new instructors were on-boarded but unable to continue teaching at UWL. Sarah Dollak received the 2026 CASSH student excellence award for Sus/Env Studies.

2025-2026

Theatre and Dance produced a six-production season, attended by over 7000 patrons. The department provided students with quality high impact practices through 57 roles onstage, 64 advanced student opportunities in theatre design, technology, management, and dramaturgy, and experiential learning for an additional 400 students participating in conjunction with a theatre course.

The Department provided multiple opportunities for students to interact with and learn from professional artists. This included Guest Artist workshops or residencies with Jennifer McClure-Associate Dean of Design and Production & Properties Director for Yale Repertory Theatre, Jay Duckworth-Head of Props at Pace University and designer of multiple Broadway shows including Hamilton, and Charissa Bertels-Broadway performer/writer/producer. We also showcased local guests during special pop-up dance classes in Pilates (Amanda Schams) and Hip Hop (Michelle Malone).

As part of an expanded recruitment effort, we welcomed 16 current students to majors or minors in Theatre and Dance, and are currently on track to welcome 35 incoming majors and minors in August.

Greg Parmeter directed an acclaimed production of Come From Away at the La Crosse Community Theatre in January. Mary Trotter served as a guest intimacy director for several productions. Ashley Dobrogosz created a new dance work for the I&E Annual Showcase, and was elected to the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Dance Council. The Department of Theatre and Dance successfully hired an IAS Scene Shop Supervisor/Assistant Technical Director who will begin in August 2026.

Theatre and Dance brought students to regional conferences for both the American College Theatre Festival and the American College Dance Association, and we held an Accessibility Workshop for all faculty and students with Andrew Ives of the Disability Resource Center.

Financial support from the CASSH Deans’ Office allowed for the completion of the effort to convert all of our theatrical lighting fixtures to LED, first begun in 2021. We have expanded our scenic technology and training with a CNC machine, and we are able to provide our sound students with increased access to industry-standard technology with a new mixing console, an electronic drum kit, and in-ear monitors for the orchestra.

2025-2026

During 2025-26, the College of Business Administration began the year by submitting its application for the next AACSB accreditation continuous improvement review. The work towards the next review drove several projects this year including a strategic planning refresh to align the CBA plan with the new UWL Forward plan. Also, continued work on Assurance of Learning in the CBA, along with passage of a new faculty qualification document has prepared us for the future AACSB visit.

Innovation and emerging technologies were another major focus during the year. The College launched a faculty AI Brown Bag series, supported faculty participation in professional development opportunities related to artificial intelligence, and featured AI and business applications as the theme of the 2026 Economic Indicators program. These efforts helped the College to respond to rapidly changing workforce and educational demands.

Student success and workforce preparation remained central priorities. The College supported several Community Engaged Learning projects with philanthropic dollars, along with providing funding to the CBA ambassadors. We also expanded partnerships with employers and alumni to strengthen internship, recruitment, and career opportunities for students. Efforts included direct outreach to corporate partners regarding graduating seniors seeking employment, and expanded discussions with local and regional employers about recruiting and classroom engagement. The College also continued to support experiential and global learning opportunities. Fourteen students received GCP study abroad scholarships totaling $28,000, while students participated in international consulting and applied learning experiences.

Finally, the CBA added capacity through four approved faculty positions: tenure-track lines in Finance, Marketing, and Information Systems, plus an instructional academic staff position in Accountancy, with funding coming from an increase in the CBA tuition differential. Five Hansen Awards totaling $15,000 and three Hetzel Strategic Impact Awards recognized faculty and staff work in teaching, research, service, operations, and strategic impact.

2025-2026

The department had a good year overall. The number of accounting majors and minors rose over the last couple years and remains on solid footing. There were 56 internships during spring 2026. WI law changed from 150 credits to 120 for CPA eligibility; therefore, students will be graduating sooner and though internships will continue, most will be for low or no credit.

Three student board members for BAP attended the BAP regional meeting out of state during spring. A UWL team took first place in a case competition held by CLA in Green Bay during the fall semester. The department has interaction with employers including several outside reps giving feedback before the fall Accounting Career Fair. Fall picnic had about 150 students. Ernst & Young and Kwik Trip sponsored an etiquette dinner for ACC 312 students during the fall semester and Baker Tilly sponsored the etiquette dinner during the spring semester. The professional organization for accounting majors, Beta Alpha Ps (BAP) took a trip with 32 students to KPMG in Minneapolis in October. The annual Accounting Scholarship Event had approximately 45 firm reps, 80 students, and $84K in scholarships.

2025-2026

During the 2025--2026 academic year, the Economics Department offered 43 sections of General Education courses and more than twenty upper-level economics courses. Faculty remained highly active in research, publishing 19 peer-reviewed journal articles, presenting at national and international conferences, and contributing to the profession through editorial activities.
The department maintained its commitment to teaching excellence and student engagement. Dr. Marissa Eckrote-Norland received a Community Engaged Learning grant and incorporated a community-engaged component into her Econometrics course, partnering with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Area to provide students with opportunities to apply econometric methods to real-world questions. The department also supported and mentored its two newest faculty members, both of whom successfully completed their first academic year.

Faculty continued extensive service at the departmental, university, and professional levels. To mention only a few examples, department members contributed to shared governance through service on the Promotion, Tenure, and Salary (PTS), International Education (IE), and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC), among others. The department completed substantial revisions to its bylaws and merit evaluation procedures and initiated discussions on revising the curriculum and the requirements for the economics major, establishing a summer working group to further develop and evaluate proposed changes. Faculty also made significant progress toward digital accessibility compliance, reflecting the department's continued commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining a high-quality academic program.

2025-2026

The Finance Department continued its growth and continues to be the largest major in the College of Business Administration. The department continues to be supported by the CBA Dean’s office, which advises all incoming first-year students, and the Economics department, which advises all second-year students and some upper-level students. The department now has two concentrations in addition to the regular FIN major. The concentrations require a variety of courses that we offer routinely.

On the personnel front, Dr. Adam Stivers was successfully promoted to Full Professor. Dr. Stivers was on sabbatical during the Fall 2025 semester, and Dr. Nilakshi Borah filled in as department chair. Dr. Borah then was on sabbatical in Spring 2026. We welcomed several new adjunct instructors to the department.

The department's new Personal Financial Planning (PFP) program continued to grow, with our first graduate passing the CFP exam. This program continues to receive corporate sponsorship from Trust Point. The funds received from Trust Point allow us to award scholarships to students and to send faculty and students to financial planning conferences and symposia.

The Gordon Spellman Fund continues to perform well and closed the year with a value over $627,000 as of May 31, 2026.

2025-2026

Department of Information Systems: Innovation and Impact
The Department of Information Systems (IS) continues to experience significant growth and innovation through its IS and Business Analytics (BA) programs. Student demand remains strong, highlighted by the remarkable enrollment growth.  BA program enrollments have grown from zero students in Fall 2020 to more than 250 students by Spring 2026, reflecting increasing interest in data-driven careers.

Industry partnerships remain a cornerstone of the department’s success. Our collaboration with Kwik Trip provides students with valuable professional engagement opportunities. During Fall 2025, Kwik Trip professionals participated in a networking event within IS 401, allowing students to learn about career paths and industry roles. In April 2026, the company further demonstrated its commitment by awarding $5,000 in scholarships.
The department also achieved a milestone with its first international student experience. In May 2026, Dr. Haried led students to Frankfurt, Germany, where they collaborated with Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences on an eight-week Information Systems Project Management initiative and presented their project outcomes internationally.

Innovation remains central to the curriculum, particularly in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The department is integrating AI throughout its programs. IS 320, Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making and Data Analytics, was recently redesigned with a stronger AI focus, and a new AI Enterprise course is planned for Spring 2027.

Faculty excellence continues to strengthen the department. Dr. Sidi Zhu will join the department as Assistant Professor in August 2026, bringing expertise in AI and Business Analytics. Faculty members remain active scholars, publishing research, presenting at academic conferences, and securing research and curriculum grants.

Students benefit from guest speakers, industry-sponsored projects, and collaborations with organizations such as Kwik Trip, Deloitte, RSM, Sprocket Security, Light the Way Technology, and Federated Insurance. These experiences prepare students to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

2025-2026

The Management Department’s main efforts were, as always, serving our 519 majors (496 Management majors and 23 second majors), as well as the 28 Sustainable Business minors and 52 Healthcare Analytics Management minors, which are housed in the department. Additionally, the department served more than 2,000 CBA students across the 4 core CBA courses it provides.

Faculty in the department had 14 peer-reviewed journal articles, along with 15 scholarly presentations, published and presented this academic year. The department’s primary efforts continued to be supporting students in their knowledge and skill development in the field of management, with emphasis on quality teaching and High-Impact Practices. Multiple faculty members engaged students with client-based projects, field trips, professional speakers, business simulations, and other innovative pedagogical techniques. Lastly, 14 students headed off to Slovakia in May for the Global Consulting Program, a short-term study abroad program that has been going since 2011 (with the exception of the “Covid years”). The Kwik Trip Integrated Core Program, which MGT faculty are involved in teaching, continued to provide students with an immersive, cross-functional learning experience.

The department successfully concluded a tenure-track search for an Operations Management position this year, strengthening the department’s teaching and research capacity in that area. The department also continued its work on revising its bylaws, an effort that remains in progress, and made continued improvements to the department’s assessment practices to better support curricular and program-level evaluation.

Lastly, the department continued its efforts to support our students and faculty this academic year. Our Student Advising & Appreciation event continued to go well, and we again gathered feedback from students on ways in which the department could support them during the year and implemented their suggestions the best we could. Several students noted their appreciation of this support and these activities.

2025-2026

The 2025-2026 academic year was eventful for the Marketing Department, witnessing the highest enrollment in recent years with 660 primary and 26 secondary majors. We offered 102 course sections, accommodating 1,171 seats in required CBA core courses and 1,582 seats in upper-level Marketing courses.

The Marketing Department maintained its tradition of providing transformational educational experiences. 48 students completed internships for credit, and Drs. Graham and Nasif led study abroad programs in London. Prof. Culver, as AMA co-advisor with Dr. Achenreiner, took 6 students to the 2026 AMA International Collegiate Conference, where the chapter was a semi-finalist in the national AMA Collegiate Case Competition. Professors Trisler and Koepke coached the Sales Team, which competed in the Regional Blugold Sales Challenge at UW-Eau Claire, 2 national sales competitions, and the International Collegiate Sales Competition at Florida State University.

Our department remained actively engaged with the community both in and out of the classroom. We hosted the 13th Annual UWL Eagle Sales Competition, featuring 34 students and 28 industry professionals. This year included a Sponsor Showcase for networking opportunities. Additionally, 139 students in the Sales elective performed role-plays with 13 local industry professionals. We also celebrated the 12th anniversary of the Kwik Trip Integrated Core Program. Several courses included guest speakers and client-based projects for local businesses, e.g. Moka, Kwik Trip, Fastenal, and Northwestern Mutual.

Following a successful search and screening, Dr. Xinge Li will be joining the department in Fall 2026 as an Assistant Professor. Faculty research activities included 5 conference presentations, 10 journal submissions, 4 published articles, and a book chapter. Drs. Crosby, Eklund, McDermott, and Nasif received grants for their respective scholarly research. Prof. Koepke received the Eagle Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Eklund received the Hansen CBA Excellence in Research Award and a nomination for the 2025 UW MBA Consortium Outstanding Faculty Award. Faculty members also served in leadership roles on various University and College committees.

2025-2026

During 2025–26, the College of Science & Health advanced its commitment to academic excellence, student success, faculty scholarship, experiential learning, and community engagement. Across its 11 departments, faculty and staff responded to changing disciplinary, professional, and workforce needs through curricular innovation, accreditation activity, research mentorship, and expanded partnerships. 

Departments developed or revised programs in engineering physics, kinesiology, public health, health coaching, strength and conditioning, and other emerging areas. Computer Engineering underwent ABET accreditation review, the first such accreditation process for a program at UWL. Other significant milestones included the 10-year reaccreditation of the Master of Science in Athletic Training and continued accreditation work in recreational therapy, public health, and other professionally oriented programs. Student outcomes remained strong, including exceptional certification and board examination pass rates in athletic training, recreational therapy, and the health professions. 

Faculty-mentored research remained a defining strength of the College. More than $100,000 in external donor funding supported 13 Dean’s Distinguished Fellowships, expanding opportunities for students to pursue intensive undergraduate research. Students also participated in independent studies, laboratories, clinical research, conference presentations, and externally supported projects. Departments collectively reported more than $5.4 million in grant and external funding, including nearly $3 million in Biology, $1.2 million in Exercise & Sport Science, $596,000 in Health Professions, and $264,445 in Microbiology. Faculty produced at least 47 scholarly publications, in addition to approximately 20 conference papers reported by Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Departments further extended the College’s impact through clinical placements, internships, advocacy, community-engaged courses, and partnerships with schools, healthcare systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regional employers. Physics also continued its Distinguished Lecture Series by bringing Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman to campus for lectures and interactions with students, faculty, and the public. 

The College Office complemented these efforts by revising the Travel and Supplies Grant using faculty and student input, improving support for students and extending eligibility to graduate students. The FYRE program secured donor funding to support undergraduate research during students’ second year at UWL. Associate Dean George, Provost Morgan, and Dean Moeller received a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant to expand community engagement across campus. The College also established the university’s first faculty externship, a paid 10-week Summer 2026 experience sponsored by Trane Technologies. The year included significant faculty milestones: eight faculty members earned promotions, three received tenure, and four retired after distinguished service. Two faculty members received Eagle Teaching Excellence Awards, becoming the first recipients from their respective departments, and a College faculty member received the Eagle Mentoring Excellence Award. Together, these accomplishments strengthened the College’s capacity to support students, recognize faculty excellence, advance academic programs, and deepen community partnerships. 

2025-2026

The Biology department in AY 2025-26 was a time of many faculty/staff searches where we had remarkable success in hiring. We saw the departures of Cord Brundage in the summer, ADA Lynne Freascher in the fall, and the retirement of Jennifer Miskowski and Renee Redman at the end of year. But, in searches for seven open positions, we have been able to secure eight successful hires: Steven Cleveland was hired as our new ADA in the fall. Taylor Medwig-Kinney and Brian Kinney were hired to fill the Cell Biology tenure track lines of Jen Miskowski and Jennifer Klein (from AY 24-25). Francis (Frank) Tillman and Maxwell Carnes-Mason were hired to fill the Anatomy and Physiology tenure track lines of Cord Brundage and Mary Zimmerman (who will stay on with us as a lecturer to help fill the massive need in A&P lectures). We were also able to secure an additional Anatomy and Physiology tenure track line with the hire of Ryan Sprenger who will start in January 2027 to also help with the great demand in A&P. We also hired two Teaching Assistant Professors: Cheyenne Banasik to fill the line from last year’s retirement of Bill Haviland, and Nicholas Lorusso to fill the line of Renee Redman. We were also helped by lecturers Corrie Welch, Callie Horstman and Carmen Reynolds this year to help cover our increasing enrollment pressure in Anatomy and Physiology courses. Callie, Corrie and Mary will continue on as lecturers next year. Our one search that failed was for the open Food Scientist tenure track position, which will be searched again next Fall. In addition, we will search again for a Science Education tenure track line in AY 26-27. Though we will bid a fond farewell to many old friends this year, we look forward to the addition of many new faculty that will help our department stay strong.

Outreach to the community remains a strong part of the department’s activities. Two of our courses received a Community Engaged Learning designation this year, Conservation Biology (BIO 308) and Mycology (BIO 412). Interactions with citizen scientists continues with the Driftless Area BioBlitz and owl-feeding video analysis. Tours of the Anatomy and Physiology labs, and other research spaces continued for area high school students. Collaboration with local environmental and health agencies (USGS, UMESC, FWS, Emplify, Mayo Clinic) also persists, along with ongoing seminar series with Mayo Clinic researchers and with UMESC researchers being well supported from both the external groups and UWL. Our department also was a major sponsor of the very successful statewide Wisconsin Science Education and Research (WISER) conference (led locally by Bio faculty Jackie Wisinski and Microbiology faculty Dan Bretl) held at UWL in the fall.

The department continued its commitment to scholarship in 2025-26 with almost $3,000,000 in new funding from external grants from several sources (USGS, Sea Grant, FWS, FWC) as well as ongoing, multi-year federal awards that continue through this year. In 2025-26, the biology faculty and staff produced 5 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters. Together with their graduate and undergraduate co-authors, the faculty and staff also presented at 89 regional or national meetings and conferences. They also contributed widely to the University through service on Faculty Senate, numerous searches and multiple committees. They serve the community through appointments to local, state and national boards.

2025-2026

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry continues a strong tradition of providing exceptional educational and research opportunities for our students. This past academic year we graduated 42 biochemistry and chemistry majors. Our ACS Chemistry and ASBMB Biochemistry accredited degree programs allows UWL to continue to offer these highly impactful degrees.

Students in our programs continue to gain employment in STEM fields, while gaining acceptance into both professional healthcare programs and graduate school. Alumni continue to engage with our students as an important part of our curriculum. Students interview alumni in their current positions, while discussing their unique paths toward career fulfillment. Students then present these stories to the rest of the class within our required Chemical Community course.

Our department remains research active with actively funded grants supported by both internal and external agencies. Each summer >10 students in our program engage in a 10 -12 week intensive research experience in Prairie Springs Science Center ($80 million teaching and research lab building). Our students are supported by the College of Science and Health Dean's Distinguished Fellow Program, UWL Faculty Research Grants, UWL Undergraduate Research Grants, WiSys grant programs, and federal funding agencies like NSF and NIH. Collectively, our students receive exceptional chemical and biochemical educational training in the classroom, and teaching and research laboratories.

2025-2026

The Department of Computer Science & Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse continues to be a vibrant hub of innovation and education, offering undergraduate programs in computer science and computer engineering and a graduate program in software engineering. This year the department strengthened its national profile, expanded student research, and brought a major international conference to campus.
Our computer engineering program reached a major milestone in its pursuit of ABET accreditation, hosting a site visit from ABET evaluators in Fall 2025. This achievement reflects our commitment to rigorous standards in engineering education. Another highlight was hosting the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Electro/Information Technology at UWL in May, with Dr. Dipankar Mitra serving as General Chair; Dr. Mitra was also honored with the university's Eagle Teaching Excellence Award.

Faculty modernized the curriculum in response to a rapidly changing field, redesigning the artificial intelligence sequence around hands-on Python implementation, updating web design with current industry technologies, and rethinking foundational courses for the age of AI with active learning and industry speakers. Scholarship was exceptionally productive, yielding six journal articles, a book chapter, roughly twenty conference papers, and a patent application, supported by WiSys, UWL-Mayo Clinic seed grants, and internal funding.

Student research flourished: three undergraduates earned Dean's Distinguished Fellowships totaling more than $17,000, students presented at international IEEE symposia, and an Eagle Apprentice team earned second-best undergraduate paper at the Midwest Instruction in Computing Symposium. Graduate students completed MSE capstones ranging from a real-time auction platform to a web application serving Habitat for Humanity. Faculty advised approximately 145 undergraduate and 9 graduate students, launched UWL's first IEEE Student Branch, and completed searches to hire two new tenure-track faculty beginning Fall 2026, ensuring continued growth for years to come.

2025-2026

• Successful revision of Exercise Science Program into Kinesiology Program.
• Successful 10-year reaccreditation of the MSAT Program.
  12 out of 12 MSAT students passed the national board exam on the first attempt.
• 2 faculty members (Narcotta-Welp, Giblin) presented at UWL Celebrates events.
• Department celebrated 2 alumni (Tacara Lovings, Dan Krueger) as Distinguished Alumni.
• 2 PASHE students received awards at SHAPE America.
• Kyla Dickson (MSAT) received a national scholarship.
• CEP Program received the Community Engaged Learning designation.
• Scott Doberstein was inducted into Wisconsin Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame.
• Successful hiring of the new ADA and tenure-track faculty.
• Abbie Wagner promoted to Teaching Professor, Sam Schmidt received tenure.
• Brock McMullen and Abbie Wagner receiving a 5-year $1.2 million grant through DOE.
• Department approval of the Strength and Conditioning minor.

2025-2026

The Department of Geography and Environmental Science provides an excellent educational experience through its hands-on curriculum and undergraduate research mentorship. Enrollment in the department continues to increase, driven by strong interest in the Environmental Science major. Grants were received by four faculty to enhance their courses, including a community engaged learning grant and three course improvement grants. Faculty continue to maintain partnerships within the community, including with the National Weather Service, the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Mathy Construction, J.F. Brennan, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Students engaged in a faculty led study abroad program in Nepal with a faculty member. Faculty published four journal articles and submitted two manuscripts that are in review. Presentations on scholarly work were given at regional and national conferences by six faculty, and 26 manuscript reviews were completed by eight faculty. Research grants were awarded to five faculty, including from UWL, NASA, and the EPA, and several proposals are currently under review. The department hosted the Western Great Lakes Region American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing meeting for the fourth consecutive year, and numerous students attended and presented their GIS course projects at the meeting. At the 2026 Universities of Wisconsin Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity,18 students affiliated with the department contributed to six presentations. Three majors were funded by College of Science and Health Dean’s Distinguished Fellowships and one major received a UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity Grant. Multiple articles were published in the UWL Campus Connection and the College of Science and Health Newsletter that featured Geography and Environmental Science students and faculty. Faculty participated in outreach events to build awareness of our program, including Eagle Fest, River Clean Up, Kids College, and My River Adventure Camp.

2025-2026

Health Professions (HP) Department has 4 graduate programs: Medical Dosimetry (Med Dos), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Physician Assistant (PA), and 4 undergraduate programs: Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT), Radiation Therapy (RT), Radiological Technology (RAD) and Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). After receiving $596,000 in funding for healthcare workforce development to increase undergraduate student capacity in Radiological Sciences (RT, DMS, RAD), NMT, and the graduate program in PT, the programs have added instructional faculty, staff, and students and technology for instruction (ie. VR simulation) and research. UWL is pursuing Wisconsin DHS Funding for a rural medicine initiative ($3,685,204) with UW-Madison. HP challenges remain in HSC clinical teaching/research space and in the recruitment/retention of high-demand faculty. Student demand for HP Programs is strong, based on high application volume and credentials. Board Exam pass rates remain excellent, above the national average (nearly 100% pass rate). Recent surveys report employment within 6 months of graduation. HP offers two undergraduate service courses (HP 106 Intro Healthcare Careers and HP 250 Medical Terms) for college credit with the La Crosse School District. Faculty-mentored scholarship incorporates students, resulting in strong peer-reviewed outcomes (over 20 faculty/student publications, over 40 presentations at professional meetings, and over 50 faculty/student oral or poster presentations at international, national, state, or regional conferences). La Crosse Institute of Movement Science (LIMS) researchers (PT/OT) maintain active research partnerships (Gundersen Health System Sports PT residency program, Mayo Clinic Health System). HP prides itself on faculty/student research, service, and outreach activities. Over 10 internal or external grants were sought by HP faculty for various initiatives. Clinical education coordinators enabled over 930 student clinical placements at over 300 clinical sites across the US in a competitive healthcare environment. HP faculty sustain service-learning activities involving over 850 HP students in health and wellness, health screenings, course-related clinical experiences, interprofessional education, or research. Faculty-mentored OT and PT students have served over 180 clients through the OT adult and pediatric clinics, health, and wellness activities (Community or campus-based health and wellness projects), Exercise Program for Adults with Neurological Disorders (EXPAND), and Lower Extremity Amputee Program (LEAP). Faculty were involved and received recognition based on their service to the college, university, and their respective professional organizations.

2025-2026

Members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics were productive in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Teaching: The department taught approximately 185 classes, including 148 sections of general education, and generated 355 Student Credit Hours in Fall 2025 (compared to the university average of 291 SCH). The department updated its curriculum including combining its Mathematics Majora and launching our new Data Science major. Faculty were nominated for teaching awards and have received both the UWL Eagle Teaching Award and the Wisconsin MAA Teaching Award. The Statistics faculty received the internal grant to revise STAT 145 Elementary Statistics, which serves almost 800 students per semester. The FastTrack programs transitioned over 170 students from MTH 051 to MTH 150, shortening their time to degree.
Scholarship Faculty supported 28 independent studies, teaching assistants, and graduate projects. Faculty supervised 16 undergraduate research project such as "Cluster Analysis of Runner Gait Data”; “Diameters of Transportation Polytopes”; “Gallai-Schur Numbers over the Integers Modulo n” and “Modeling Commuting-Related Carbon Emissions.” These projects led to national publications and presentations involving students. Faculty published 10 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and presented over 20 talks. Faculty applied for $1,200,000 in grants as principal investigators or consultants.

Service: Faculty served on university committees including Faculty Senate, Joint Promotion, Undergraduate Curriculum, Promotion, Tenure, and Salary, and General Education. The department collaborated with community partners including Mayo Clinic, the US Geological Survey, and regional school districts. These projects led to the publications “Computer-Aided Diagnosis for Breast Ultrasound Imagery Dataset” and “Re-Oligotrophy in the Upper Mississippi River”. Faculty served on boards for organizations including the Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, and the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance. Members have also filled roles in administration, including Associate and Assistant CSH Deans, Data Science Collaborative Academic Director, and Secondary Teacher Education Preparation Director.

2025-2026

In 25/26, the Department graduated 31 students with BS degrees in Microbiology or Clinical Lab Science (CLS) - up from 29 in 24/25 but down from the four-year average of 43 graduates/year. The number of total Microbiology and CLS majors (measured Sep-25) was 118, down from a five-year average of 165/year. The number of Microbiology minors reached a new high for the fourth consecutive year with 35 students. Three Microbiology certificate programs became available for 25/26, and over the course of 25/26 students began to enroll in them.

The Department was heavily focused on recruitment. Our “Microbiology Ambassadors” presented to more high school students than ever, visiting 14 high schools and presenting to ~35 separate classes. The Department also hosted ~95 local Health Science Academy students over two “Microbiology Discovery Days” day in January.

Microbiology research labs were active. Faculty mentored 11 graduate, and 35 undergraduate students. Ten undergraduate and graduate students gave 25 poster and oral presentations at meetings. Faculty submitted five external grants (three awarded for a total of $264,445, one pending), had five papers published, continued work on four external grants, and reviewed 35 manuscripts.

Other highlights:

• Via considerable efforts by Dan Bretl and Susan Hall, UWL hosted the second annual Wisconsin Science Education and Research Consortium meeting (Nov-2025).
• The first Endowed Professorship at UWL, courtesy of Michael and Kathi McGinley, began with Paul Schweiger being the first McGinley Endowed Professor of Microbiology.
• Dan Bretl was promoted to Associate Professor!
• Xinhui Li taught FNS 410 (Food safety) for the first time for the new Food and Nutrition Sciences major.
• Bonnie Bratina taught MIC 150 (Discovery Microbiology) for the first time. This course is targeted toward first-year students and should help retain and recruit MIC majors.
• Bill Schwan was awarded the inaugural “UWL Innovations in Graduate Education Award."

2025-2026

The Physics Department continues to advance our curriculum and program offerings to benefit students at UWL. The Department developed a new major in Engineering Physics which began accepting students in late Spring/early Summer 2025. In its 23nd year, the Distinguished Lecture Series in Physics brought Carl Wieman, a 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physics, to campus in September for lectures and interactions with students, faculty, and the public. The Department hosted the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Association of Physics Teachers in November. Shauna Sallmen was awarded the Eagle Teaching Excellence Award.

The Physics Department continued its strong focus on undergraduate student research. Twenty-two students worked with five physics faculty members on various research projects during the semester as Eagle Apprentices, as paid interns, for course credit, or as Sophomore Research Fellows. Students presented their research at national Physics and Astronomy conferences and at local/regional conferences including the UW System Symposium. Our undergraduate students excelled in both academics and extracurriculars. Six students in the Physics Club participated in the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Collegiate Rocket Competition.

The physics faculty continued as leaders in their respective fields serving on state and national committees, refereeing manuscripts, and applying for competitive internal and external funding. This year our faculty gave 12 presentations, published 5 papers and submitted 6 grant proposals. Vacating Cowley Hall in December meant we had to permanently close the Planetarium facility and send off long-term director Bob Allen after 50+ years of outreach and engaging the public. He was recognized by the Wisconsin Governor’s office for his service. The Department also saw the departure of Michael Connolly (IAS) and retirement of Bob Ragan (TT) and hired one new member to fill vacancies beginning in Fall 2026: Tyler Hagen (IAS).

2025-2026

We began Fall 2025 with a push for development and approval of both a new Public Health Minor and Health Coaching Certificate. Both will officially ‘launch’ in Fall 2026, and we are looking forward to increasing public health knowledge across a wide range of majors in both our college and others throughout the University.

We conducted a successful search for an Academic Department Associate, welcoming the wonderful Midge Rigsby to the department in the fall. We also hired Dr. Rachel Myrer as an Assistant Professor, and she will join our faculty in Fall 2026; she brings with her a record of excellent teaching and research and we are thrilled to have her at UW-L.

In Spring 2025, we had 21 students complete their final preceptorship in a variety of community health sites, including the Mayo Clinic Health System, GROW La Crosse, Special Olympics WI, Vivent Health, and the Hunger Task Force.

Our department has always been focused on public health advocacy, and our thriving student organization, Eta Sigma Gamma, worked in conjunction with our faculty, and representatives from Political Science and Public Administration to organize and participate in the 9^th Annual Madison Health Education Advocacy Experience in January 2026. The 29 students and 8 faculty in attendance shared the importance of the Fatality Review Teams bill (AB/SB 192) and the Medicaid post-partum coverage bill (SB-23) with members of the Wisconsin legislature, and we were thrilled to see both bills pass in the weeks that followed.

Nationally, the Department of Public Health & Community Health Education was recognized by the Society for Public Health Education as this year’s Most Valuable Partner, for our continued collaboration and support of SOPHE’s advocacy efforts on a national level.

2025-2026 was a busy year for Public Health & Community Health Education, and we continued to focus on inspiring the future generation of public health leaders in a time of change and uncertainty in the field. The importance of effective public health and community health education training at the collegiate level has never been clearer, and we are all proud to be a part of this effort.

2025-2026

Our undergraduate programs in Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism, & Event Management (ORTEM) and Recreational Therapy (RT) were highly successful. A highlight was the REXPO event, where 30+ professionals, a keynote speaker, and the student WellZone come together for an evening of professional learning, well-being support, and community connections. Over 450 students in REC 150 (Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well-Being) attended in FA25 with over 250 attending in SP26.

Dr. Tanner Knorr joined ORTEM bringing focus to tourism & event planning and stepping into the Director role for the Tourism Research Institute. He secured projects on the economic impact of Lake Onalaska and the Tomah Tractor Pull.

ORTEM supported internships for six students through the Kathy Gruentzel Internship Scholarship. 20 students completed their internships regionally, and across the U.S.

The RT program grew approximately 15% in the past year and, most significantly, our students passed the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam at 98.4%, well over the ~80% passing rate across the nation. The program submitted & completed an on-site visit for initial CARTE Accreditation receiving high accolades for the programmatic excellence.

RT undergraduates served the community via coursework including but not limited to the following: 1) hosting community members on-campus for a 6-week support group for individuals with neurocognitive diagnoses; 2) facilitating Mindful Movement interventions to 25 residents in assisted living; 3) hosting a Zentangle mindful art program at Hillview Life Center & Assisted Living; 4) delivering the Walk with an Eagle Program, partnering with AARP, to 30 community members; and, 5) facilitating grand opening activities at Hillview Life Center’s to support their new Intergenerational Program.

RT faculty and students hosted the Wisconsin Therapeutic Recreation Association State Conference with 100+ attendees. 20 students attended the Great Lakes Student Recreational Therapy Conference at Timber Pointe Camp in Illinois.

2025-2026

The Educational Studies (EDS) and Institute for Professional Studies in Education (IPSE) departments continued to advance educator preparation, graduate education, and innovation during the 2025–26 academic year. The School of Education (SOE), including the SOE-affiliate programs preparing over 300 educators for the profession, across numerous licensure areas and IPSE serving over 150 graduate students.

EDS expanded high-impact learning opportunities through the inaugural year of its paid Teacher Residency Program, the Milwaukee Urban Experience, and international study abroad programs in Japan, Luxembourg, and Puerto Rico, while reestablishing its partnership with Luoyang, China for a planned 2027 study abroad experience. The department also introduced a new TESOL microcredential, and aligned curriculum with Wisconsin's Act 15 Core General Education requirements.

IPSE focused on strategic program innovation with the approval of two new Professional Teaching master's degree emphases—Learner-Focused Instruction and Experience-Based Learning—which will launch in Fall 2026. The department also expanded access to graduate education by implementing more flexible cohort models to better serve rural districts and regional partnerships.

Faculty across both departments continued to distinguish themselves through teaching, scholarship, and service. EDS faculty produced one book, 14 peer-reviewed publications, and 41 professional presentations while earning numerous grants and recognitions, including the Eagle Teaching Excellence Award, an A+ literacy program rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality, and the Boys & Girls Club Program of the Year Award for Reading Buddies. IPSE's Reading and Educational Leadership master's programs were again recognized among U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Master's in Education Programs.

Collectively, these accomplishments reflect the School of Education's continued commitment to preparing highly qualified, innovative educators while strengthening partnerships, advancing scholarship, and expanding educational opportunities to meet the evolving needs of Wisconsin schools and communities.

2025-2026

Educational Studies (EDS) graduated 107 students to teachers from our six programs. Students participated in our strong field experiences, including the Milwaukee Urban Experience and the first year of our Residency Teacher Program, a year-long, paid student teaching experience. Students also engaged in our on-going study abroad opportunities in Japan, Luxembourg, and Puerto Rico. Our collaboration with Luoyang, China was reinstated with a planned study abroad in summer 2027. We created a new TESOL microcredential and we successfully aligned our curriculum to the core general education requirements as per Act 15. EDS additionally added the Associate Chair role, Executive Committee, and updated our Bylaws to reflect new Faculty Senate language.

Two EDS faculty members successfully engaged in post-tenure review. Denise Rueter received the Eagle Teaching Excellence Award. The Reading Buddies program, associated with EDS 318: Literacy Methods I, was awarded the Program of the Year award from the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse. The literacy program as a whole received an A+ ranking from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), one of only three programs in the state to receive such recognition. Our course ECE 335: Learning with Nature was designated as a Community Engaged Learning course. A faculty member also received a “Most Accessible Instructor” nomination from the Disability Resource Center.

EDS faculty contributed one book, 14 articles, and 41 academic presentations as professional scholarship. Many faculty engage in review activities with one as the Editor of the Journal of Multicultural Affairs. EDS faculty received internal Faculty Research Grants (seven), Course Improvement Grants (three), and Lema Kabashi was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which she will complete in fall 2026. Another faculty member has submitted a large Spencer Grant application.

EDS faculty engaged in significant service, with two successful searches (resulting in four hires), and service on School of Education committees including the AI Task Force, Scholarship Review Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Technology Task Force, and the Teacher Candidate Progress Review committee. We also served university committees including Articles and Bylaws, University Curriculum Committee (as Chair), Community Engagement Committee, Joint Multicultural Affairs Committee, River Studies Committee, General Education Assessment Committee, Joint Committee on Civil Discourse, Institutional Review Board, and we have one continuing and one new representative on Faculty Senate (Amy Lein and Jennifer Pierce). EDS faculty serve the La Crosse community on several boards, including the Northside Coulee Community School and the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, and on statewide groups including as OPID (Office of Professional and Instructional Development) and Wisconsin Professors of Literacy. In addition, EDS faculty hold leadership positions in the American Association of University Women (President), Wisconsin Chapter National Association for Multicultural Education (Secretary), and WITESOL (Wisconsin Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages; Secretary and Past-President).

2025-2026

During Academic Year 2025-2026, members of Murphy Library (ML) and the recently renamed Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) remained active and engaged with UWL, the Universities of Wisconsin System, and the local community.

Personnel/Reorganization: Murphy Library and the Tutoring & Learning Center continue to adapt to personnel transitions. The Library Department welcomed two new members, Jason Anfinsen (Student Engagement & Outreach) and Kelly Peter (Web & Systems) and experienced the retirement of librarian,
Michael Current, at the end of spring semester (23 years of service). A search for replacement will occur over the fall semester with an estimated start date in January. A temporary librarian search (50% LTE pool type position) will also occur late this summer to help offset fall semester work demands primarily
in the Instruction and Reference units. A Library Assistant III (university staff) who worked in the Special Collections unit resigned just before spring semester ended, and a summer search to replace this person will start in early July. Another long-time academic staff member, Terry Stika, will be retiring in July (34 years of service). Terry’s retirement will allow for a strategic reorganization of the Access Services and Technology unit as this new position will incorporate supervisory duties to better increase effectiveness
and efficiencies. This further allows one of our librarians to better align their responsibilities in the critical area of Reference and Collection Development, both of which were deeply impacted by Michael Current’s retirement.

TLC: W. Thomas Means was hired to become the new director on July 1. Sara Heaser continues as the Writing Center’s director as does Terence Smith for the Public Speaking Center. Additional monies from Student Affairs and CSH continue to fund Supplemental Instruction (SI) in BIO105, BIO203, CHM103, CHM104, PHY103, and STAT145. Eugenia Turov has been hired to act as
director of SI for the next academic year. By creating this new position, it is hoped that the overall director of the TLC will have a more appropriate set of job responsibilities given the partial reassignment.

ML in collaboration with CATL still participates in an Open Educational Resources (OER) System supported initiative (Kendall Morgan and Sarah Bakken participate). Librarians met with 4,681 students through 188 classroom instruction sessions, staffed the Research Help Desk for 826 hours, conducted 70 individual research consultations, and recorded 410 reference interactions - all of which are similar in quantities to last year.

Budget: Once again, larger than normal collection cost increases for electronic resources (used to be in 3% range) are being noted as this negatively impacts the library’s overall ability to purchase resources
for campus curricular needs. To help offset this, a one-time base budget allocation on the amount of $55,000 was awarded (first increase since the 1999-2000 biennium). This is amazing news and much needed.

Facility: Planning for Phase II of the library’s basement renovation for the eventual relocation of the TLC (on west-side) continued with a projected summer start date. Completion is estimated to be in early 2027. Special “One-Time” funding was awarded to replace and upgrade the library’s failing moveable stacks electrical system ($119,890), replace 19 near obsolete loanable laptops ($27,360), and construct several small group study rooms on the second floor of the building ($45,216). Donor money will further
augment the study room project and increase the number of rooms built, plus fully remodel the existing study rooms. The library’s many wooden chairs on the second floor need eventual replacement (another 60 could no longer be used and were removed this past year).

Librarians shared their scholarship through presentations at regional, national, and international conferences and submitted manuscripts to numerous professional publications. Two librarians (Teri Holford and Laura Godden) received Faculty Research Grants, while more than $8,770 in Library
Endowment funding supported projects focused on student success, professional development, and technology.

Thus, the 2025-2026 academic year was one of transition, collaboration, and continued commitment to the provision of services and resources that UWL’s faculty, staff, and students require for success.

2025-2026

The 2025-2026 academic year was one of transition, collaboration, and continued commitment to librarianship, scholarship, and service. The Library Department welcomed two new members, Jason Anfinsen (Student Engagement & Outreach) and Kelly Peter (Web & Systems), while recognizing the retirement of Michael Current after 23 years of service to Murphy Library. Librarians met with 4,681 students through 188 classroom instruction sessions, staffed the Research Help Desk for 826 hours, conducted 70 individual research consultations, and recorded 410 reference interactions. Collaborative collection development with faculty resulted in the selection and purchase of 911 print books, e-books, and streaming media to support teaching and research.

The department continued to adapt to personnel transitions, with more than half of its members now early-career faculty and four tenured librarians providing continuity and mentorship. Department members advanced strategic planning through the development of unit manuals and future planning initiatives. Librarians shared their scholarship through presentations at regional, national, and international conferences and submitted manuscripts to numerous professional publications. Two librarians (Holford and Godden) received Faculty Research Grants, while more than $8,770 in Library Endowment funding supported projects focused on student success, professional development, and technology.

Department members continued to provide service at the department, university, UW System, state, and national levels. Beginning in 2026-2027, the department will once again be represented in the Faculty Senate through Michael Olson's election to a three-year term.

2025-2026

Graduate & Extended Learning experienced a productive and impactful year marked by continued innovation and adaptation. UWL maintained steady enrollment across its graduate programs, reflecting the ongoing value and relevance of our graduate offerings. Significant progress was also made on a multi-year website redesign initiative, which is nearing completion and will provide prospective and current students with a more accessible, user-friendly, and informative online experience. 

A major milestone was reached with the graduation of the first cohorts from the online Master of Public Health and School Psychology Online programs. These graduates represent the successful expansion of high-quality, accessible graduate education and demonstrate the university’s commitment to meeting workforce and community needs through flexible learning opportunities. 

The unit also expanded its portfolio of professional and continuing education offerings through the launch of its first non-credit microcredentials. Learners who completed these programs received digital badges, providing a modern and verifiable way to showcase newly acquired skills and competencies. This accomplishment reflects the growing demand for short-term, workforce-aligned educational pathways that support career advancement and lifelong learning. 

To further strengthen professional and continuing education programming, Graduate & Extended Learning expanded marketing and student support for learners utilizing federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding. These efforts are intended to increase awareness, improve access, and ensure that participants receive the guidance needed to successfully navigate enrollment and completion processes. 

The unit continues to address financial challenges resulting from new institutional policies related to fringe benefit charges on overload and ad hoc salary expenditures. These changes have created budgetary pressures that require careful planning and strategic adjustment. Graduate & Extended Learning remains committed to collaborating with campus partners to identify sustainable solutions that will allow the unit to continue serving students effectively while adapting to evolving financial realities. 

2025-2026

The Biology M.S. and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) programs continue to demonstrate strong performance through stable enrollment, consistent annual recruitment, and successful student outcomes (e.g., graduation rates, university awards, CSH Graduate Fellowships), as a result of significant faculty engagement. The Biology M.S. had 33 active students in the Spring 2026 semester, largely in the generalized biology and aquatic science concentrations, and the annual CRNA program cohorts have recently increased to 16 students. Student support remains robust through graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, externally funded grants, graduate fellowships, and research awards. Faculty mentorship is a notable strength, with 15 biology faculty members each advising or co-advising about two graduate students. The programs continue to attract new students, with 10 incoming Biology and M.S. students and growing enrollment in the CNRA program.

Recent programmatic reviews identified several opportunities for improvement, including revising program objectives, policies, and the graduate handbook, while implementing more comprehensive assessment and student progress tracking systems. These efforts are ongoing and planned changes to department policies, forms, and assessments are being introduced for the Fall 2026 semester. Future efforts may include the development of graduate coursework certificate program and finding financial resources for additional graduate assistantships. Faculty mentorship and administration of the graduate programs require substantial time commitments that are not fully recognized in current workload models. Graduate faculty collectively invest hundreds of hours each semester in teaching advanced courses, supervising research, mentoring students, and serving on committees. A better understanding of faculty workload demands will be important to sustaining program quality. This research-focused graduate program is characterized by strong student achievement, dedicated faculty mentorship, but there are opportunities for strategic growth, improvement of student success following detailed assessment.

2025-2026

The department worked with the Chancellor and Provost offices to establish an international agreement with Presidency University in India. We hope to see students entering into our MSE program within the year as a result.

The department created an Accelerated Masters with an AI Emphasis. The MSE program director has also contact several local industry partners in an attempt to raise the program's visibility.

2025-2026

The Health Professions (HP) Department has four graduate programs: Medical Dosimetry (Med Dos), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physician Assistant (PA), and Physical Therapy (PT). These graduate programs are fully accredited, continue to attract a strong, competitive applicant pool, have high pass rates (above the national average) on terminal/board certification exams, and have excellent employment prospects for graduates. HP challenges remain in HSC clinical teaching/research space and the recruitment/retention of faculty in high-demand. Exceptional faculty/student research have resulted in 20 journal publications and over 40 presentations at national/state/regional professional meetings. La Crosse Institute of Movement Science (LIMS) researchers (PT/OT) maintain active research partnerships with the Gundersen Health System Sports PT residency program and the Mayo Clinic Health System. Many programs have faculty-mentored research engaging graduate students in contemporary research of high impact. Over 10 internal or external grants were applied for. Service-learning opportunities engage HP students in many unique faculty-mentored programs within the greater La Crosse community. Clinical internships, either regionally or nationally, continue to offer exceptional professional learning opportunities so students are ready to practice in their chosen profession.

2025-2026

In Fall 2024, the department proudly joined the Information Technology Management Graduate Collaborative Program, marking an exciting new chapter in graduate education. This initiative allows the department to extend its expertise into advanced studies and shape the next generation of tech-savvy business leaders.

2025-2026

The 2025–26 academic year was one of strategic innovation and growth for the Institute for Professional Studies in Education (IPSE). The MSED programs in Reading and Educational Leadership were ranked 112 of 333 in U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Master's in Education Programs, earning a score of 80/100. IPSE also enrolled 151 graduate students, with 92 graduates and 59 continuing their studies. The MSED Learning Community program had the greatest number of students (81 students), followed by Reading programs (40 students) and Educational Leadership programs (30 students).

The department's primary accomplishment was the design and approval of two new Professional Teaching master's degree emphases—Learner-Focused Instruction and Experience-Based Learning—which will replace the Professional Development emphasis following its planned December 2026 sunset. Built upon shared foundational coursework, the programs strengthen the action research sequence, incorporate scaffolded signature assessments across multiple semesters, and feature an innovative multi-semester Passion Project that empowers educators to investigate and address authentic challenges within their schools and communities. The inaugural cohort of approximately 20 students begins in Fall 2026.

To expand access to graduate education, IPSE implemented more flexible cohort size structures that allow rural districts, regional partnerships, and individual schools to participate in graduate programming without the larger enrollment previously required.

The department strengthened its instructional team by hiring four adjunct faculty members with terminal degrees and extensive professional expertise in Educational Leadership, Reading, and Professional Teaching. It also welcomed a Recruitment and Enrollment Strategist who redesigned the department website, developed new marketing and recruitment materials, enhanced student recruitment and advising efforts, and advanced planning for future Special Education and TESOL cohorts.

The department's faculty and staff remained actively engaged in professional service and outreach. Faculty continued to provide leadership within state professional organizations, served as peer reviewers for literacy journals, and contributed to interdisciplinary research and community partnerships through participation on advisory boards.

These accomplishments position IPSE for continued growth while expanding opportunities for educators throughout Wisconsin.

2025-2026

The Microbiology Graduate program offered three (two accepted) Clinical Microbiology and seven (four accepted) Microbiology Master’s students admission for the fall 2026 semester out of 27 completed applications. Of those accepted, three received Graduate Assistantships. One incoming and current students was awarded an out of state tuition waiver. Two incoming students were awarded an Advanced Opportunity Program grant. One student applied and was awarded a CHS Summer Graduate Fellowship. Four graduate students were awarded summer 2026 support by the Microbiology Department. All first year master’s students passed their written comprehensive exams on their initial attempt! Two students graduated in December 2025 and two graduated in May 2026. Two will potentially graduate in summer 2026.

The program had one student participate in the “Say it in 6” competition. The master’s program recruited at the 85^rd Annual ASM-NCB meeting in Cedar Rapids, IA and at the UWL/WiSER Career & Education Fair.

2025-2026

The UWL MPH was rebuilt and restarted in the spring of 2024 as an asynchronous online program. It consists of 42 credits completed over the course of 2 years (spring, summer, fall). Most semesters contain 2 seven-week classes that run consecutively. The curriculum was adjusted to account for Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) revised accreditation requirements. As of summer 2026, the BS PHCHE and the MPH are actively seeking accreditation with the full process playing out over the 2026-2027 academic year, including a self-study and site visit. The first cohort of 9 students (out of 11 admitted) graduated in December 2025. Currently, the 2nd year cohort consists of 6 students (9 admitted) and the most recent group of 8 students to be admitted is completing their second semester in the program. The MPH is run as a collaborative venture between the PHCHE department and GEL. The aim is to have cohorts of 15-18 each year to meet budget targets and maximize instructional quality. Most classes are delivered by department faculty or instructional staff, though community partners and faculty from other universities are also utilized as needed. All MPH work completed by department faculty and staff live outside of regular load, including the role of program director. At this time, the main challenges for the MPH is recruitment to reach the size of cohorts desired as well as addressing accreditation needs and ensuring the highest possible quality of educational experiences. Beyond those considerations, the program also works hard to account for current challenges to the field of public health in how students are best prepared for future leadership roles.

2025-2026

Our graduate Recreation Management (RM & RMPD) and Recreational Therapy (RT) programs were highly successful. Our on-campus Recreation Management MS students presented at UWL's Research and Creativity Symposium held in tandem with the UWS for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity this year. Their work involved original research on Prevention Techniques of Human-Wildlife Interactions on Roadways in National Parks and programmatic advances for local and regional recreation agencies.

Twelve students graduated from our online Recreation Management Professional Development program delivering wide-ranging and professionally impactful projects including: Restoration through Recreation: A Look into How Recreation Can Help Restore the St. Louis River Estuary, Parents’ Night Out: Building the Military Spouse Community Through Recreation, Expanding LGBTQ+ Recreation Access: Camp Prism Adult Retreat Weekend, Trail Stewards and Trail School: Investing in Trail Work Volunteers in the Methow Valley.

RM graduate students also supported our undergraduate program by working with the Tourism Research Institute and an undergraduate ORTEM course on an economic impact study of Lake Onalaska and related sustainable tourism implications.

A highlight of the Recreational Therapy graduate program was collaboration with La Crosse County on an outdoor wall mural at the Hillview Life Center as part of their grand opening of their new intergenerational program. These students also completed a fence beautification project in their childcare play area.

Eight students participated in UWL’s Graduate Research Symposium poster presentation and most presented at the annual Great Lakes Student Recreational Therapy Conference.

The RT graduate program facilitated a valuable interprofessional experience during the IMPACT simulation event where 145 allied health professional students from UWL and Viterbo collaborated to practice patient skills focusing on age friendly healthcare. Our RT graduate students also trained 20 radiation therapy undergraduate students on using socially assisted robotic pets in patient waiting rooms.

2025-2026

In 2025-26, the School Psychology face-to-face program had 36 total students. Thirteen first-year students successfully completed their first year in the program, including their first semester of practicum in Spring 2026, and submitted research proposals to present their capstone research projects at the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) annual convention. Eleven second-year students completed their on-campus coursework in spring 2026, passed their Praxis II exam, and are expected to start their full-time internship positions in Fall 2026. All second-year students presented capstone posters at the 2026 NASP Annual Convention in Chicago, IL and the 2026 UWL Research & Creativity Symposium. Twelve interns completed their internships in June 2026, were endorsed for their K-12 WI School Psychology license, and received their Educational Specialist degrees. Eleven graduates have secured permanent K-12 School Psychologist positions, with one student not reporting. In Spring 2026, our admissions committee offered admission to 18 students, and we will have an incoming cohort of 8 students in Fall 2026.

The program this year onboarded a new Program Director (Dr. Adrienne Loh), and two new faculty members (Dr. Angie Goethel and Dr. JJ Wu). Dr. Goethel had previously worked with the program as academic staff, but began 2025 in a tenure track line as an Assistant Professor. In 2025-26, the program supported a variety of structural changes geared towards more streamlined, effective, and equitable program practices, including (a) collaborating with the School of Education (SOE) to align administration and tracking of accreditation-related assessment with the SOE Assessment Coordinator, (b) collaborating with SOE to align arrangement and tracking of practicum placements and hours with the SOE Office of Field Experience, (c) initiating a Student Advisory Council which met monthly with the Program Director to increase communication and transparency between students and faculty, and (d) shifting admission practices to move interviews to a virtual format and realigning GA roles and responsibilities. We also began collaborating with the Pride Center with a long term goal of to better integrating issues surrounding sexual and gender identity into the curriculum, and with the ACCESS/Disability Resource Center to better articulate program practices and support graduate students with disabilities.

School Psychology Online Program (initiated in July 2022):
In 2025-26, the School Psychology online program had 10 fourth year (internship) students, 10 third year, 9 second year and 10 first year students. The size of the incoming cohort (to start on July 1, 2026) is 9 students.
The program this year graduated its first cohort of 10 students who completed their internship, were endorsed for WI School Psychology licenses, and earned their Educational Specialist degrees. The program is not yet eligible for endorsement by NASP, but the program continues to work towards that goal. This year, the program collaborated with the in-person program and the School of Education to align assessment practices and tracking of practicum hours.