UW System initiative on track to propel university, community into the future

The UW System is accomplishing “significant progress” in their 2020FWD initiative as revealed in the second annual report announced at the recent Board of Regents meeting.

Prior to the start of the 2016 academic year, the regents approved the 2017-’19 operating budget of $42.5 million. At the same time, Cross announced the initiative after listening to the opinions of thousands of Wisconsin citizens.

2020FWD includes four essential components: the educational pipeline, operational excellence, university experience and business and community mobilization.

The initiative is built on the premise of creating a relationship between the community and the university by making campuses a stepping stone for preparing for the future. This includes boosting science, technology, engineering and math and healthcare programs as well as increasing internships and research.

They have seen a record increase in the number of students pursuing STEM programs as well as health care-related fields. 

In 2011-’12, the system handed out 7,512 degrees in STEM and 2,992 health care degrees: three times as many degrees have been handed out this year.

On average, students graduated in 9.0 semesters, a decrease from the previous 9.3 semesters in the 2011-’12 academic year.

There has also been progress on shared services, human resources and budgeting.

“Our students are the core of what we do – why we exist – and how we as a public institution of higher education transform Wisconsin,” Cross said at the meeting. “Our impact goes beyond numbers – we see it in individual stories that change neighborhoods, communities, cities, states and entire economic sectors.”