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.

Looking for additional ways to afford college? It is time to get your scholarship side-hustle started! We will demonstrate how any amount of extra $$ towards your tuition will help you in the long run. You will walk away with helpful tips to make your scholarship side-hustle a success.

Bring a bag lunch and let's learn together!

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 and 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 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 Carla Molloy, of WiSys Research Development, and Alex Tahk, of the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership, for a discussion about applying for funding opportunities at the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership. The center offers grants across the Universities of Wisconsin to support research that advances public leadership and policy challenges in Wisconsin. Register in advance online. Contact the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs with any questions.

TheTake 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.

Student Success Coaching continues as a service offered through the Student Life Office. While the expanded grant program has ended, the Student Life Office staff will continue to work with students in this capacity. Students can schedule a Student Success Coaching appointment with the Student Life Office in Navigate.

The Food Pantry, located in The COVE on the second floor of the Student Union, serves many individuals in the UWL campus community. It is a vital source of nutritional assistance for many. In order to pursue our commitment to meeting the essential needs of students, it is crucial that we keep our pantry fully stocked with food and hygiene supplies. This way we can continue to meet the needs of individuals and help them continue their academic success. 

That is why every month we host a food drive to collect donations for our pantry! The theme for our February Food Drive is rice and beans, but we are always in need of items such as: 

• Canned corn, fruit, etc.
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Condiments
• Breakfast items
• Shelf-stable snacks

If you are interested in donating to the pantry, please drop your items off at the front desk of The Cove! 

If your Office/Department or Student Organization would like to participate in the Monthly Food Drive for the Food Pantry, please complete this form and the Leadership and Involvement Center will contact you! We will be collecting donations from Departments and Offices during the first week of March. 

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to all of the donations that we will receive for our students! 

The Pride Center invites all LGBTQ+ friends, family and allies to join us for Pints for a Purpose! Turtle Stack Brewery will donate 10% of the night's proceeds and all of the tips to the Pride Center. 

UWL will conduct a sale of surplus property in partnership with the online auction site www.wisconsinsurplus.com running through Feb. 16. Pre-registration and a bidder number is required prior to bid submittals. Terms and conditions of sale, along with contact information can be found on the auction’s website.

Rec Sports is offering the following promotions to all UWL faculty and staff.  

15% discount on new faculty and staff memberships

Rec Sports is offering a 15% discount for all first-time faculty and staff memberships. You can purchase your membership by visiting the REC or make your purchase online. Use the promo code SAVE15% to get your discounted price. This discount is only available until Feb. 27! Interested in paying via payroll deduction? Please visit the information desk at the REC or contact Cindi Swanson at cswanson@uwlax.edu.   

5% discount on membership renewal

Rec Sports offers a 5% discount when renewing your REC membership. This can be done at any time and for any type of membership (month, semester and annual). When renewing your membership, use the promo code RENEW5% to get your discounted price. 

Free one-week trial membership

Rec Sports offers all faculty/staff a one-time, free one-week trial membership  to try out the Recreational Eagle Center. The trial membership is available at any time by visiting the information desk at the REC.  Make sure to use the promo code FREEWEEK.  

To purchase or renew your membership online, visit the Rec Sports website and log in with your UWL Net ID.

For more information regarding the Recreational Sports Department and the programs that are offered, visit the Rec Sports website or contact the office at recoffice@uwlax.edu. 

Join members of United Academic Professionals of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UAPUWL, pronounced U-apple), a labor union affiliated with AFT and AFT-Wisconsin, local #6502, for a drop in informational session. We represent both faculty and instructional academic staff at UW-La Crosse.

We'll provide light lunch, snacks and solidarity at this drop in event open to all. If you are already a member, drop by to socialize with other members or bring some grading for a comfortable space. 

 Deadline March 1: 2027 Reoccurring Faculty Led Proposals are due to IEE by March 1. For more information and the recommendation approval form, please visit the International Education & Engagement (IEE) website or contact Alexis Bergstrom, international program manager, abergstrom@uwlax.edu.