Recently, outgoing UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone, Carthage College President John Swallow and I had the opportunity to have a conversation with the Greater Milwaukee Committee’s membership about the opportunities and headwinds we see in higher education – certainly a widely discussed topic these days.
In a ballroom full of business and community leaders gathered at UWM’s student union, we were intentional about emphasizing the important role that listening to the needs of our region’s employers, and innovating to meet those needs, plays in the present and future of our institutions.
We do this partly because it’s smart strategy: Innovation makes our institutions even more relevant to students and employers in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape. But it’s more than that. We are committed to innovation because it is inherently a part of our purpose — who we are, and why we do what we do every day.
One important example: HERA and its member institutions are fully engaged in developing microcredentials – bite-sized, online, skills-based learning opportunities that will help us better serve even more members of our communities. We are moving quickly to put our resources and our energy to work. In this newsletter, you’ll learn more about these efforts from Melissa Smiley, HERA’s new microcredential coordinator.
Other examples of moving quickly to meet the needs of students and employers can be found throughout HERA’s member institutions. Here at Carroll, we recently announced the launch of new undergraduate majors beginning in Fall 2025: Artificial Intelligence, Industrial and Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
So when you are out in your communities and talking to people about higher education, I’d ask you to drive home the point that we are constantly listening to the needs of our businesses and innovating to meet them. This doesn’t always make headlines, but it is nevertheless true. It’s the essence of what we do and how we serve our communities and their people.
And speaking of innovation, I want to take a moment to thank some of our leaders as they move on to the next chapter of their careers: First, HERA’s founding chair, Dr. Mone, who is stepping down as Chancellor on July 1 and will be succeeded by Dr. Thomas Gibson. I want to thank Mark specifically for doing so much of the heavy lifting to get HERA off the ground, and more generally for his leadership in our region. Other leaders at HERA shared similar thoughts in a brief video message you’ll see elsewhere in this newsletter. I also want to congratulate Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, who recently was inaugurated as Marquette University President, and Milwaukee School of Engineering President Dr. John Walz, who recently announced his retirement and transition to President Emeritus. He will be succeeded by current MSOE Executive Vice President of Academics Dr. Eric Baumgartner. Congratulations to all, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.
Sincerely,
Cindy Gnadinger
President, Carroll University
Chair, Higher Education Regional Alliance
