For the first time in the University of Wisconsin’s history, the institution awarded more than 10,000 degrees in an academic year.
Between the 2010 summer session and spring 2011 semester, UW awarded 6,579 bachelor’s, 2,105 master’s and 1,415 doctorate degrees, totaling 10,099, according to a UW statement.
“[UW alumni] go out and do amazing things in the world, and to see more of them out there contributing as educated citizens is great,” said Jocelyn Milner, UW associate vice provost and director for academic planning. “It’s exciting to see so many students be successful.”
UW’s focused attention on the undergraduate experience over the last 15 years is apparent in the graduation rate, Milner said.
This attention has manifested itself in a number of undergraduate student services, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Paul DeLuca, Jr., said. These services include first-year interest groups, undergraduate research, learning communities and study abroad programs, among others.
Milner said in addition to these services, changes in advising have played a role in UW’s success.
She placed specific emphasis on the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates. Through MIU, the institution was able to rework advising and hire 24 new advisors.
Milner also said MIU has allowed UW to increase aid to students by $15.1 million in existing programs within its first two years. This, she said, has provided over 10,000 students with financial awards.
Ultimately, the increase in diplomas handed out this year was a collective effort and great achievement, DeLuca said.
DeLuca said he offers his congratulations to the deans, faculty and UW students. Despite “hating to give names,” DeLuca said history professor William Cronon and Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning Aaron Brower have been instrumental to these increased rates – Cronon for his establishment of the Chadbourne Residential College and Brower for his contributions to high impact practices.
Milner said many of the changes implemented in undergraduate programs are now affecting graduate and professional schools.
Many students are getting undergraduate degrees and not stopping there, Milner said, and a great deal of attention is being carried over to higher education.
In return, UW is starting to look at higher education similarly and is likely to expand its efforts to both its graduate and professional programs in a couple of years. This, she said, is important when it comes to higher education and its impact on the workforce and the economy. Living in a “knowledge economy,” students graduate with the “necessary skills” to add to society.
“In 2010, President Obama set a goal to increase the college-educated workforce,” she said. “We try to help students succeed and contribute to Obama’s goals.”
