The window to apply for a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) designation for fall 2026 courses is now open. A limited pool of Professional Development funds and Supplies & Expenses funding is now available on a first-come, first-served basis. A preview of the CEL proposal can be viewed here If you’re looking to connect with a community partner, you can find potential project ideas on the UWL Community Idea Exchange or contact UWL Director of Community Engagement Lisa Klein.  

The round one deadline to apply for the fall 2026 semester is February 15, 2026. The CEL designation will be applied to your course by the start of registration. The round two deadline for fall 2026 is May 15, 2026. If you apply by the round two deadline, the designation will not be applied to your course at the start of registration. 

The Office of Community Engagement is excited to welcome you to the growing list of CEL instructors at UWL. 

UWL staff, faculty and students are invited to find volunteer opportunities and track their service using a platform called UGetConnected. This platform is free for the campus community and provides users with an excellent resource to help track engagement and build their personal volunteer resume.

Employees can join the UWL Employee UGetConnected user group by signing in with their NetID and password. UWL students can log in on the UGetConnected volunteer page. Summaries of student and employee volunteering activities are occasionally reported to demonstrate UWL’s level of engagement. 

The Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention is a trusted signal to students, their families and the community that our campus prioritizes student well-being, safety and success. Seal of Prevention recipients have, on average, an 8.3% higher first-year retention rate and a 9.5% higher on-time four-year graduation rate compared to non-seal institutions.

Recipients of the CPN Seal of Prevention take action to create safer campuses through comprehensive, evidence-based digital prevention education on issues such as sexual assault, alcohol and drug misuse, and mental health. The CPN Seal establishes guidelines for discerning quality prevention education and implementation practices, and positions prevention as central to key institutional outcomes such as student success, campus climate, and retention.

Learn more about the 2025 CPN Seal of Prevention.

Learn more about universal prevention education at UWL.

Have a question, idea, concern or just want to put a face to Student Affairs? Stop by our “Chat with Student Affairs Leaders” table in the Whitney Center or the Student Union and talk with us—no appointment needed.

These casual tabling sessions are designed to make Student Affairs more visible, approachable and easy to connect with. Come for a quick hello or stay awhile and share what’s on your mind.

Who you’ll meet

At every session, you’ll be able to chat with:

• Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Vitaliano Figueroa
• One Student Affairs director (a rotating leader from across Student Affairs)

What you can talk about

Anything. Seriously. Students often stop by to:

• Share concerns or barriers they’re running into
• Offer ideas to improve campus life
• Ask questions about resources and services
• Talk about what’s going well (we want to hear that too)
• Get to know the people behind Student Affairs

What to expect

• Drop-in format: come and go when it works for you
• Low-pressure conversation: no forms, no presentations—just a chat
• Real connection: your experience matters, and we’re here to listen

Where & when to find us

• Friday, Jan. 30
  • 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Student Union (by Sono)
  • w/Kara Ostlund, assistant vice chancellor and dean of students
• Monday, Feb. 2
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Whitney Center
  • w/Jeff Keenan, director of Rec Sports
• Wednesday, Feb. 11
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Whitney Center
  • w/Crys Champion, director of Counseling & Testing
• Friday, Feb. 20
  • 10:30 a.m.-noon, Student Union (by Sono)
  • w/Kyle Burke, director of University Centers & Student Engagement
• Wednesday, Feb. 25
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Whitney Center
  • w/Patrick Heise, director of Residence Life
• Monday, March 2
  • 10:30 a.m.-noon, Student Union (by Sono)
  • w/Ashley Franzo, director of Campus Child Center

UWL Counseling & Testing, Wellness & Health Advocacy and Rec Sports have teamed up to provide non-credit "Intro to Mindfulness" courses for the campus community! UWL "Intro to Mindfulness" courses use curriculum designed by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA). 
 
Mindfulness is simple, but not easy. Our four-week "Intro to Mindfulness" is an introductory class that will teach students the skill of mindfulness. It will also help you build the habit of using it in your life on a regular basis. Positive outcomes include: 

• Less self-judgment 

• Manage stress 

• Increased self-compassion 

• Better sleep 

• Increased calm 

Faculty & Staff - Please consider referring students to attend!  

The course is open to UWL students, staff, and faculty only. There is no fee to attend; however, attendees must register in advance by the deadline. More information and registration are available on the Rec Sports Intro to Mindfulness webpage. Two sessions are offered for the spring semester, starting Feb.19 and March 30.  

The Take a Student to Coffee program, supported by the Division of Student Affairs & The Parent Fund, is an opportunity for outside-the-classroom connections between students and faculty/staff. The program is designed for a faculty or staff member to invite a student for a coffee, beverage or snack and use the time to get to know each other better and/or to discuss projects, events, or activities. We hope this program encourages meaningful discussions and the development of lasting mentor/mentee relationships.

Faculty/staff members may apply to receive a $10 certificate to use to take a student out to coffee or a snack at an on-campus Chartwells dining location. Certificates will be mailed through campus mail. Faculty/staff are then welcome to invite any student to a coffee conversation. Once a certificate is used at the Chartwells location, both the faculty/staff member and the student will receive a survey to complete.

Join the It Make$ Cents! team and Scholarship Resource Center folks for an all inclusive, fun learning event! We will provide you with financial tips and scholarship tricks while you get to test your luck to win fabulous gift cards!

It makes cents to learn life-skills!

Don't forget! There are two ways to make your time and money count! By attending our events you have the chance to win a $50 scholarship each time! What's even better? Double up your odds to win a $150 scholarship if you attend an event and come in for a financial consultation. Cha-ching!

Murphy Library presents Money Matters: Financial Literacy Workshop Series with UW Credit Union and It Make$ Cents! Money Management Center

This spring, Murphy Library will partner with financial experts from the UW Credit Union and money managers from It Make$ Cents! to teach UWL students about financial literacy.

Over the course of four subject-specific workshops on Mondays this spring, students will learn the basics of savings, credit, budgeting and investing during customized one-hour, drop-in events held in Murphy Library.

Bring your lunch, questions and appetite to learn the aspects of financial wellness.

It sure make$ cents to learn life skills!