Performing telehealth simulation training in the UWO nursing simulation lab in fall 2024, is Carly Redman, a nursing student from Edgerton.
Three University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh programs have joined forces and will use a grant award to help low-income households with telecommunications services.
UWO Nursing, the UWO Sociology program and the Whitburn Center for Governance and Public Research collaborated to earn a Lifeline Outreach Grant Program Award from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for its UWO Digital Access Empowerment Initiative.
Broadband access is critical to student success—and thriving communities.
The team is being awarded $44,863 in grant funds, with an additional match of $27,916 (in-kind resources from UWO), totaling $72,779.
“The primary objective of this initiative is to increase awareness and access to affordable telecommunication services for eligible low-income households,” said Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the UWO College of Nursing, Health Professions and STEM.
The Wisconsin Lifeline program complements the Federal Lifeline program, and through a network across the state, it provides an additional discount to eligible low-income households for essential telecommunications services. In 2024, program supporters found low enrollment—a utilization rate of just 20% of potentially eligible subscribers, Chung said.
The grant program aims to increase awareness and access. UWO will design and develop a survey to identify barriers and potential solutions. Findings informed by research into existing literature and Community Health Assessment and survey data will be used to create a ready-to-use digital toolkit to support outreach and education.
UWO leaders who collaborated on the grant are Debbie Walrath, Nursing; Sam Larson, Whitburn Center; Juyeon Son, Sociology; and Paul Van Auken, Sociology. Larson will be hiring student workers and Son and Van Auken’s students in sociology as well as Walrath’s students, will be engaged in the project.
“As someone who grew up in a rural area, I’ve seen and felt the negative impacts of how communities suffer when access to technology lags behind,” Larson said.
Samantha Larson
Larson says data bears this out.
The Rural Broadband Association has shared studies showing a significant difference between communities with high versus low adoption of broadband, she said, including an eye-popping 213% higher business growth rate in areas of strong broadband adoption.
“And when businesses increase, people follow,” Larson added, noting communities with less access to broadband see more businesses closing and residents leaving’. 
Broad benefits of affordable telecommunication access
- Broadband boosts employment rates and labor productivity by enabling remote work, job searches and small business growth.
- Students in low-income households can participate in online learning and complete assignments.
- Telehealth becomes a viable option, reducing travel, reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes. Medication refills and even home delivery may be possible over the phone versus needing to travel to a pharmacy.
- Digital access allows residents to apply for benefits, pay bills and engage with civic services.
- Staying connected with family and friends combats isolation and supports mental well-being.
The grant initiative adds to those UWO has developed to better examine and bring solutions to rural communities with an array of regional and state partners.
” In short, digital inclusion is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Walrath said. “Programs like Lifeline are foundational to closing the digital divide and ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has a fair shot at participating in modern society.”
Learn more:
UWO nursing partnership seeks to boost health care in rural Wisconsin
UWO nursing students offer education, health screenings at WPS Farm Show
UWO nursing students learning, practicing, leading advances in telehealth delivery