UW SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES IN DIVERSITY AND SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) AREAS

Plan 2008 Phase I Report from UW Campuses on Best Practices

2003

UW Colleges

Contact:

Nora McGuire
UW Colleges
780 Regent Street
Madison, WI  53715
PH: 608-263-0476
nmcguire@uwc.edu
Fax: 608-262-7872

• UW-Barron County/Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College (UW-Barron County):  This program, which emphasizes math and science for students grades seven through twelve, has both an academic year and a summer component.  The majority of participants are Native American.  Math and science teachers from area schools are also involved in the program.
• Full Circle Precollege Program (UW-Marinette):  This program is offered jointly with the College of the Menominee Nation and serves primarily Native American students.  The program, which has both a summer and an academic year component, is intended for students in the eighth grade.  The academic year component consists of nine meetings that address various topics including science and math, writing, native culture and language and preparation for high school and college.  Field trips are also a part of the program.  The summer camp that is held at UW-Marinette includes a science day, an archeological day, and an art and photography day.
• UW-Richland/Grand Avenue Precollege Program  (UW-Richland):  UW-Richland’s middle school precollege program provides both residential and on-site preparation for college-level courses, advanced instruction in academic subjects ranging from mathematical, natural and social sciences to fine arts and the humanities, and leadership training. 

UW-Extension

Contact:

Vicki C. Washington
UW-Extension
501 Extension Bldg.
432 N. Lake Street
Madison, WI  53706
PH:  608-262-0277
washington@admin.uwex.edu
Fax:  608-262-8404

• EXPLORE Migrant Outreach Program is used to increased participants’ appreciation for science-related education and activities, and to increase participants’ comfort with computers and academic activities.

UW-La Crosse

Contact:

Al S. Thompson, Jr.
UW-La Crosse
1725 State St.
235 Graff Main Hall
La Crosse, WI  54601
PH:  608-785-8541
thompson.alfr@uwlax.edu
Fax:  608-785-8550

• The College of SAH and Office of Continuing Education have created a "Community Outreach in Science" summer program for students of color and/or for students from a family with a financial need. The program is for students who will have finished grades 6, 7, or 8. Although this program is not directly for students of color currently enrolled at UW-La Crosse, it will likely increase the probability of students of color pursuing a college education at UW-La Crosse, and may ultimately lead to increased retention once the students pursue a college education.

UW-Madison

Contact:

Ruby R. Paredes
UW-Madison
354 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI  53706
PH:  (608) 262-5175
rparedes@bascom.wisc.edu
FAX:  (608) 265-6099

• The PEOPLE Program has expanded with the participation of the College of Engineering, the Division of Information Technology and its Information Technology Academy (ITA), College of Letters and Science and the Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE), the Law School through its 3^rd Yr PEOPLE internships, and the School of Nursing.

• Connecting for Academic Success (CAS) is an effort to ensure that each student has early and continuing connections to key support services, and that these services provide timely response particularly during the first year of transition to university life which is supported by:   Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, with the Chemistry Learning Center, Math Tutorial Program, Physics Learning Program, the Business Learning Center, Division of University Housing, Academic Affairs/Pathways to Excellence in the College of Letters and Science, academic advisers and the Cross-College Advising Service, the Learning through Evaluation, Adaptation and Dissemination (LEAD) Center, M/D Coordinators in schools and colleges, the Registrar’s Office, Undergraduate Admissions, and Deans offices in all schools and colleges.
• Environmental Chemistry and Ethnicity (Chem 201) is the first Chemistry course to qualify for the Ethnic Studies Requirement.  Billed as the first ethnic studies course to “break the science barrier,” Chem 201 studies uranium mining and its effects on the Navajo community.  The course was designed, developed and team-taught by Catherine Middlecamp, Distinguished Faculty Associate and Director of the Chemistry Learning Center, and Omie Baldwin, Senior Student Services Program Manager and Counselor in University Health Services.

UW-Milwaukee

Contact:

Gary L. Williams
UW-Milwaukee
Mitchell Hall, Rm. 225
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI  53201
PH:  414-229-5566
glw@uwm.edu
Fax:  414-229-2479

• The MEDAL (Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, Architecture and Law) Program is Designed for students in grades 9 through 12 and is a joint project sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and the Milwaukee Area Health Education Center.
• Pre-college Health Sciences Institute, 15 rising high school juniors and seniors, The PHSI is a six-week, 180-hour comprehensive summer program that provides preliminary education for 15 high school students who are preparing to enter post-secondary education programs at UWM or elsewhere. PHSI enrolls rising high school juniors and seniors from MPS or other area high schools who have a GPA of at least 2.5, and who have successfully completed courses in mathematics, English and biology.  The classes include mathematics, laboratory research/faculty mentoring experience, English, computer literacy, technology and cultural competence.
• Industrial Scholars Scholarship Program.  The purpose of this scholarship is to provide Multicultural student with financial support leading to a B.S. degree in Engineering or Computer Science and future employment with a Milwaukee company. Financial support begins at the junior year of high school and continues for six years. The program offers a strong corporate student/mentoring relationship that sharpens professional skills and broadens career options.

UW-Oshkosh

Contact:

Muriel Hawkins
UW-Oshkosh
Dempsey Hall, Rm. 131
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901
PH:  920-424-3080
acadsupp@uwosh.edu
Fax:  920-424-0836

• The DAS Summer Mathematics and Reading Talent Scholars (SMARTS) Program targets selected Milwaukee middle schools, including Andrew S. Douglas Community Academy, Grand Avenue, Roosevelt, Sholes and Thomas Edison Middle Schools.  UW System primarily funds the program for $21,000 annually, with supplementary DAS funds.  SMARTS offers intensive reading and mathematics classes for sixth grade students. During the summer, students participate in a two-week residential program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, with follow-up activities at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.  Students participating in the program also take study skills and esteem-building classes.
• The DAS Precollege Enrichment Program (PEP) is a two session two-week residential program for students entering grades 8-12 in the fall. The program serves multicultural and disadvantaged students and is primarily funded through the Department of Public Instruction and the Division of Academic Support for a total of $87,000.  The primary purpose of the program is to improve academic skills in English, mathematics, science, computers, and study skills, including personal health and wellness, career planning and multicultural education.

• Distance Education for Summer Enrichment Opportunities (DESEO) is a collaborative program with the Division of Academic Support and UW System Office of Academic Diversity and Development.  It is a part of the “Reach Out” Learning Anywhere Anytime Program (LAAP), partners with six cities in Wisconsin and Minnesota to provide distance learning to students residing in various migrant camps.  Funded through a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (F.I.P.S.E.) grant, DESEO offers a two-week residential summer program for 10-12 Hispanic high school students of migrant families in the Fox Valley (Oshkosh and surrounding communities).  DESEO provides students an opportunity to access courses on-line and receive daily one-on-one tutoring from residential staff.  Additional components include English/composition, mathematics, science, study skills, health and wellness and career exploration. Some students earn credits toward high school graduation requirements. 
• Articulations agreement:  UW Center-Fox Valley & UW Platteville:  Pre-Engineering Program
• DAS & Biology Department received a $1,295 Diversity Council Innovation Grant to have Dr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr. speak on campus.

UW-River Falls

Contact:

Suzanne Hagen
Acting Director
UW-River Falls
117 North Hall
410 S. Third Street
River Falls, WI  54022
PH: 715-425-3833
suzanne.d.hagen@uwrf.edu
Fax: 715-425-3304

• Upward Bound Program: Students apply and begin the program in the 9^th grade and continue through summer programs at UW-River Falls as well as interactions with tutors and at special sessions throughout the academic year.  Key goals for participants include program retention and high school graduation; successful college placement, retention and graduation; receiving effective academic and personal counseling and career advising; exposure to social and cultural enrichment; receiving assistance in ESL; and increased math, science, language and foreign language achievement.

UW-Stout

Contact:

Mary Riordan
UW-Stout
Student Support Services
217 Bowman Hall
712 S. Broadway
Menomonie, WI  54751
PH: 715-232-1381
riordanm@uwstout.edu
Fax: 715-232-1696

• Pre-College Reach for Excellence.  Ongoing and amended for Plan 2008.  Partners:  Each college (Arts      & Science; Human Development; Technology, Engineering and Management) and Multicultural Student Services.  Goals and Duration:  In addition to the overarching goals for Pre-college, our goal here was to deepen and enrich the experience for the participants and to broaden University involvement.  Each student had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the possibilities in one area, and each returning student can try a different field the following year.  Four one-week sessions were offered, and the program will be held again in summer 2003.
• STEPS program (Science, Technology and Engineering Programs for Girls).  Goals:  Foster interests in science and engineering among 12-year old girls.  Every summer for 5 summers.  Hosted 156 participants in 01-02; 32 were students of color; of the 20 counselor and junior counselor positions, 10 were held by students of color.