Campus Connection

UWL joins new consortium supporting Midwest's water workforce

UW-La Crosse, a longtime leader in freshwater education, has joined forces with colleges across the Midwest to strengthen the region’s inland maritime workforce. 

The newly formed Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium establishes a network of institutions from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri to support workforce development in the inland maritime industry and spur economic growth across the Midwest. 

It is the region’s first formal, long-term collaboration designed to boost the workforce that propels inland commerce. 

“We are proud to support this innovative partnership, which will strengthen our communities while connecting our exceptional graduates with employers who depend on them to build a strong, skilled workforce,” UWL Chancellor James Beeby says. “At UWL, on the banks of the Mississippi River, freshwater education is a core part of our identity. We look forward to sharing the expertise of our students and faculty, as well as the strength of our programs and partnerships, to advance workforce development in these critical industries.”

UWL is uniquely suited, geographically and programmatically, to meet employer needs in inland waterways, ports, logistics and other maritime-related work. 

Through the years, UWL has embraced its proximity to the Mississippi River, launching a now internationally recognized River Studies Center and offering many strong programs connecting students to careers in freshwater. 

The state-of-the-art Research Vessel Prairie Springs, christened in 2024, has unlocked even more possibilities for research, skill development and community partnerships. One such partner, J.F. Brennan Company, helps to store and maintain the vessel, in addition to consulting with UWL on skill-based projects and curricula. 

UWL’s standing as a premier university for freshwater education is further illustrated by a new designation from the Maritime Administration arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

The department named UWL a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, signifying an institution that plays a vital role in supporting the maritime industry through workforce development, research, collaboration, promotion and policy support. 

This work takes on added significance with the launch of the consortium, which coincides with mounting federal efforts to bolster the United States’ maritime industry and workforce infrastructure.  

By leveraging partnerships and expertise, the consortium positions the Midwest as a leader in expanding workforce training, developing career pathways and aligning programming to meet the needs of employers.