College takes on new shape and structure at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in a landmark proposal that
realigns academic programs, strengthens connections to Wisconsin career-clusters and cuts administrative
costs.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ed Martini announced the plans to UWO students, faculty
and staff members in the last week. The proposal, developed by a university workgroup over the last several
months, includes two new college structure models, each career-cluster oriented and each preserving UWO’s
academic programs.
Martini also unveiled new academic planning recommendations to enhance student success, hone UWO’s
“research-enhanced” university identity and prepare for transformative technology in teaching and learning.
The academic planning recommendations also help UWO close its structural deficit.
Details on the academic plans and proposed restructuring models are available at UWO’s Academic Planning website.
“These new ways forward were imagined, built and advanced by UWO’s people,” Martini said. “Each academic
model is a product of a significant analysis, input, feedback and discussion during an intensive and inclusive
design and planning process led by representatives of the entire UWO community.”
“The models are designed to meet the needs of our current and future learners and the needs of our region
and state. Both reflect hard choices, trade-offs, and clearly have seized an opportunity to reimagine how we
organize ourselves administratively and how we deliver our academic offerings for the short term and into the
future.”
“Model A” proposes a shift from three to four UWO colleges and, within, a new structure containing six new
“schools.” The colleges are titled: the College of Business, Media & Communication; the “College of Culture,
Society & Education;” and the “College of Nursing, Health Professions & STEM.”
“Model B” also proposes three colleges but with eight new schools. The colleges include: “College of Business,
Science & Technology;” “College of Culture, Society & Education;” and the “College of Nursing & Health
Professions.”
Both models better align UWO’s distinctive academic units with nationally recognized career clusters already
infused into Wisconsin’s K-12 school systems.
Career clusters help connect academic programs to career pathways. UWO’s models increase student success
and retention by supporting learners to explore complementary academic programs, connect and transition
between disciplinary areas and build stronger relationships and social networks.
With the proposed models now released, the UWO community will have multiple opportunities to ask
questions and provide feedback through town hall meetings, open forums and other college-specific meetings
in the month to come. It is anticipated that UWO faculty members will ratify and recommend one of the two
restructuring models to the Chancellor during this spring 2024 semester. The goal is to operationalize the
restructuring plan in 2025.
Martini applauded the UWO academic planning working groups excellent recommendations for
enhancing student success; defining and operationalizing what it means to be a research-enhanced university;
and how to plan and prepare UWO for future learning environments and technologies.
Learn more:
UW Oshkosh Academic Planning