Note from the Director

Greetings and Welcome to University Centers!

My name is Kyle Burke, and it is my sincere honor and privilege to serve as the Director of University Centers. Having assumed this role in March 2021, I now feel as though I have a solid understanding of the University, our department, and most importantly, our students.  

I continue to be in awe of the excellent programs and services that University Centers provides to our students and greater UWL community. None of this would be possible without the hard work and expertise of the University Centers team. Together we have accomplished great things over the past year and have many exciting plans for the year to come. My sincerest appreciation to each member of the University Centers team for all your hard work and dedication. 

I would like to take the opportunity to provide you with a few highlighted achievements from the past year. With the involvement of a number of campus partners, the University Centers team successfully:  

• Engaged 95% of new first-year students and 82% of second-year students in at least one activity/program/service during the first six weeks of the fall semester 
• Produced the first Eagle Fest which saw over 4,000 student, staff, faculty, and local neighborhood attendees 
• Launched the UWL chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success
• Launched the Chancellor’s Volunteer Service Award  
• Developed new residential and off-campus Dining Plans 
• Recognized 10,409 student volunteer service hours on campus and in the local community 
• Collected data reflecting 60,848 OZZI reusable containers were used at the Student Union and Whitney Center 
• Redesigned the University Centers websites including the Student Union, COVE, and Campus Dining sites 

Some of our goals for the 2022-2023 academic year include: focusing on the engagement of our first-and second-year students, supporting student wellness initiatives, streamlining the promotion of campus activities and events, implementing the new Dining programs, and to build upon our initiatives to engage our students in campus activities, programs, and volunteer service. As we approach our work towards these goals, it is imperative that we keep the holistic well-being of our students and their success at the forefront of our efforts.  

The University Centers department, and the buildings we operate, will continue to be safe and inclusive environments. We remain dedicated to celebrating the diversity of our community in an equitable and inclusive manner. As always, we hope that you will get involved in the many programs and services that we provide and take time to enjoy your campus living room. I hope to see you in “The U” very soon!   

Take good care!  

Kyle E. Burke

Director, University Centers