The application window is now open for Community Engaged Learning (CEL) course designations for the fall 2026 semester.

Thanks to generous philanthropic support from Advisors Management Group (AMG), all CEL-designated course sections are eligible to apply for a limited pool of Supplies & Expenses (S&E) funding to support specific course needs such as materials, printing, transportation or other CEL-related costs. S&E awards are based on feasibility and available funding. Preview the CEL proposal. To explore potential community projects, visit the UWL Community Idea Exchange or contact Lisa Klein, director of Community Engagement.

Deadlines:

Round one: Feb. 15, 2026 — The designation will be applied before course registration begins.
Round two: May 15, 2026 — The designation will not appear before registration starts.

Professional development dollars for newly designated Community Engaged Learning course sections will be made available again for the spring 2027 semester. Instructors who receive a CEL designation before academic year 2027-2028 will receive $1,500 in professional development funds. There is a limited number of funds available, and, therefore, the awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds can be used to support your teaching, research, or other professional development activities.

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.

It's time to fall in love with free money! Everyone has the opportunity to apply and earn free tuition dollars via scholarships. Let us — the Scholarship Resource Cente — help you find scholarships that match your unique background and skill set. Soon you will be falling in love with applying to scholarships too!

Free pizza and sweets too!

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 and 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. 

Join us for our next Science Café of 2026! Scott Cooper, UWL professor of biology, will present "Why Hibernators are Cool" at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at JavaVino, 2311 State Rd., La Crosse, WI 54601. Food and/or beverage purchase is required. Please make sure to arrive early. Make reservations to secure your table and place your order to truly enjoy this experience of world class science!

Visit our Facebook page for information about future events.

The Wisconsin Civics Games, hosted this year by the Universities of Wisconsin, is looking for volunteer judges for their virtual playoff rounds on April 8-9. Volunteers should be available via Zoom from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and may participate for one or both days. Judges will serve on teams of three or four and will be responsible for asking civics questions, keeping score, monitoring which team “buzzes in” first, and observing teams during the competition to support the integrity of the competition. Please contact Jeanne Tarantino, University Relations Director for Universities of Wisconsin, with any questions.

We are happy to welcome back Jeff Kersten from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Join us in learning about the most recent scams that affect not only individuals bank accounts, but also love and romance fraud that leaves hearts broken. Get the insight needed to be safe on social media and when meeting love interests online. You and or someone you know will benefit from this knowledge!

Jeff Kersten, agency liaison for the Bureau of Consumer Protection within WDATCP,  travels around the state to educate the public, businesses and law enforcement on privacy protection, data security, identity theft and other areas of consumer protection. Kersten has over 12 years of experience as a police officer and is a prior consumer protection investigator for the Bureau of Consumer Protection. 

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!

Enjoy Free pizza at this event too! Yum!