University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

UW-L has systematically reached out to local/regional stakeholders who are relevant to our our institutional mission, vision and values. Our mission, vision and values acknowledge the importance of civic engagement, collaboration and sharing of resources and expertise, support of the "Wisconsin Idea", inter-institutional relationships, and economic development.

Guided by our mission, vision, and values, UW-L identifies external stakeholders when interests of community stakeholders and the needs of our university overlap broadly and significantly. Stakeholders are then engaged in various ways, including asking their representatives to serve on the Chancellor's Community Council (CCC), the College of Business Advisory Board, or to serve as members on a board of directors forUW-L sponsored organizations. The CCC is a cross section of local legislators, La Crosse area business owners and leaders, UW-L alumni and supporters, and selected UW-La Crosse administrators. Its stated purpose is “to provide accurate information about University and System issues to those who make or influence decisions affecting the University.” In addition, the Council provides advice to the Chancellor on campus/community programs, issues and concerns. The Council meets three times annually. The College of Business has a similar process to that of the CCC with respect the Dean's Advisory Board. Vulnerable groups are addressed by some of the above mentioned activities. For example, one result of stakeholder engagement has been the establishment of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium (LMHSC). Facilities housing LMHSC are on the UW-L campus, but administration and governance of LMHSC is carried out by a board of governors, comprised of representatives from Viterbo College, Western Technical College, two regional medical organizations (Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System) and UW-La Crosse. LMHC addresses educational needs of its stakeholders, but also serves as the home of "La Crosse Community Dental", which helps meet needs of low-income residents of our community.

This is a partial list of important community stakeholders, including those serving on the Chancellor's Community Council and the College of Business Advisory Board: Gundersen Health System Mayo Clinic Health System Western Technical College Local public School Districts Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (regional U.S. Geological Survey facility) Pumphouse Regional Arts Center Coulee Council on Addictions Kwik Trip, Inc. United Fund for the Arts & Humanities La Crosse Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Assoc., Inc. Trust Point, Inc. Secretary, Wisconsin Dept of Administration La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO) University of Wisconsin La Crosse Academic Technology Services Allergychoices, Inc. University of Wisconsin La Crosse Student Senate Exec. Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse Gathering Waters Design, Inc. Merchants Bank President, Viterbo University School District of Holmen Mayor, City of Onalaska La Crosse Fire Department La Crosse Tribune Co School District of Onalaska Coulee Bank La Crosse County Circuit Court UWL University Communications State Senator Jennifer Schilling Festival Foods Associated Bank Barge and Barge Chiropractic La Crosse Seed Logistics Health Inc. Century Foods International Trane Company

Outcomes of involvement with our medical stakeholders include a number of thriving academic programs at UW-L and Western Technical College (Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiation Technology, etc.), a student health clinic that serves both UW-L and Western Technical students, and the La Crosse Community Dental that has served our dental needs of low-income residents of our community for many years. Local public school districts serve as clinical volunteer and training sites for UW-L students with educational interests. The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) has an ongoing relationship with UW-L that has resulted in hundreds of student research internships and many professional research collaborations among UMESC and UW-L scientists. The Pumphouse Regional Arts Center frequently promote and displays UW-L student and faculty artwork. The CBA Advisory Board has provided input for new programs and curriculum. The Healthcare Management Program and the Business Sustainability Minor are recent additions to the CBA.

see http://www.uwlax.edu/Academic-Affairs/Mission/ La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium: http://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/content/c/home