{"id":107821,"date":"2022-06-09T17:59:38","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T22:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/?p=107821"},"modified":"2024-09-27T09:57:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T14:57:12","slug":"uwm-highlights-regional-impact-of-partnership-initiatives-to-regents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/uwm-highlights-regional-impact-of-partnership-initiatives-to-regents\/","title":{"rendered":"51ÁÔÆæ highlights regional impact of partnership initiatives to regents"},"content":{"rendered":"

51ÁÔÆæ has forged partnerships with academic and industry partners aimed at increasing diversity in the workforce and driving economic prosperity in southeastern Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

Efforts include initiatives that support hiring and purchasing from underserved communities, as well as those focused on connecting diverse student talent with regional employers, a group of 51ÁÔÆæ staff and faculty members told the UW System Board of Regents\u2019 Research, Economic Development and Innovation Committee on Thursday.<\/p>\n

One of the newest such efforts already is off to a promising start.<\/p>\n

The Student Success Talent Pipeline program launched this year in partnership with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Area Chamber of Commerce. It was made possible through\u00a0a $500,000\u00a0Wisconsin Fast Forward<\/a>\u00a0grant provided by the state Department of Workforce Development.<\/p>\n

The funding allows for the placement of 100 students from underrepresented populations into paid internships with Milwaukee-area corporations over the next two years. More than 50 companies attended an information session about the program last month, highlighting the level of interest among employers in a tight labor market.<\/p>\n

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51ÁÔÆæ administrators Chia Vang (center) and Jennifer Abele present to UW regents Thursday. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo\/Troye Fox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThere is more demand for the program than there is funding,\u201d Jennifer Abele, senior executive director of 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Office of Strategic Partnerships, told regents. \u201cWe want to get the foundation set, make the program seamless and get partners at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Student Success Talent Pipeline program would provide students with crucial out-of-classroom experience to develop the skills and confidence to help them succeed after graduation, said Chia Vang, 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s vice chancellor of diversity, equity and inclusion.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Mark Mone recounted a conversation with one employer participating in the program that committed to bringing in 15 interns but had room to take on more. The interest level highlights the potential to secure additional funding to keep the program going after two years.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it our responsibility as employers and educators to think more deeply and aggressively about how people in our state can be more prosperous\u201d and get better pay, said Regent Robert Atwell, chair of the committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to see more of this to be done. \u2026 I would love to see this program be self-sustaining\u201d and profitable, Atwell said.<\/p>\n

Other partnership initiatives highlighted at the meeting:<\/p>\n