University of Wisconsin System leaders discussed the next steps in the merger of UW Colleges and UW-Extension Tuesday.

A group of 18 system representatives has already been commissioned to discuss possible teaching environments at the institutions if UW Colleges and UW-Extension approach the first anniversary of their merge.

"As chancellor, I could not sit in my office," UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson said during his presentation Tuesday. "I had to go out to the campuses and see how we can best respond to the needs of the state and understand and appreciate the state myself."

Wilson said the initiative is currently in the strategic planning phase, with both UW Colleges and Extension presenting its goals and objectives on how the institutions can provide maximum access and resources to their students.

Although the results of the strategic plans will direct the future initiative, Wilson said he would like to see a 15 to 20 percent enrollment increase in the UW System in the next 10 years.

Another goal, Wilson said, is to serve areas within the state that do not currently have postsecondary institutions.

Though Wilson said UW Colleges and UW-Extension "could not be any more dissimilar on the surface," he added the goal is to take strengths from each to unify their missions.

The two institutions previously had two different chancellors, and Wilson said he came to Wisconsin to accept the challenge of the newly combined position.

According to Wilson, the positions were joined in February 2005 in an effort to use resources more efficiently.

"My goal is to effectively lead without getting in the way of this transition process," Wilson said.

Following Wilson's presentation, a panel spoke about reaching students who have the desire to learn, but do not have the time, resources or finances.

The panel included Mark O'Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, Rep. Suzanne Jeskewitz, R-Menomonee Falls and James Veninga, dean and CEO of UW-Marathon County.

"It is a lack of investment on the part of society," O'Connell said. "We have to invest in the desire for knowledge. Increased education directly correlates with higher per-capita income and more tax dollars for our state."

Jeskewitz added legislators and educators have to better prepare students for higher education, especially those in low-income or high-risk environments.

"We need to increase awareness and expectation and get the tech colleges and UW colleges to make a joint effort to get high school students to pursue higher education," Veninga said.

Looking ahead, Wilson and the panelists said another purpose of all UW initiatives is to better prepare for the near future of the UW System.

"Consumers of higher education are different — not better or worse than yesteryear, just different," O'Connell said. "We need to prepare our system to respond and react to that."

Tuesday's forum was sponsored by the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education.