Four Wisconsin counties and a nonprofit that supports county conservation staff and elected officials are partnering with UniverCity Alliance to support local initiatives and address challenges including outdoor recreation, public health resources, and recidivism.
UniverCity’s new community partners include Sheboygan, Racine, Trempealeau, and Monroe counties and the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WI Land+Water).
“Our primary goals are to be the front door that welcomes these communities into the university and to connect them with the best tools and resources that can meet their needs,” UniverCity Alliance Managing Director Gavin Luter said. “Our students and faculty will benefit from connecting with these new partners, and we look forward to seeing what’s possible.”
Sheboygan County is partnering with UniverCity to invest in the community’s future and plans to address infrastructure, recreational space, recidivism, and social services. Alliant Energy Foundation is providing financial support for one of the projects focused on trails.
County Administrator Alayne Krause said collaborating on a program that touches many different departments – including Building Services, the Planning & Conservation Department, Rocky Knoll Health Care Center, the Sheriff’s Department, and Health & Human Services – is a unique opportunity.
“Sheboygan County is thrilled to be partnering with the University of Wisconsin–Madison and its UniverCity Alliance program on these important initiatives,” Krause said. “I am excited to see the innovative ideas that the next generation of the workforce develops.”
Now in its 10th year, UniverCity has partnered with 42 community partners. These have included 17 cities, towns, and villages, 22 counties, a collaborative that includes a local business, nonprofit, and local government partners; one nonprofit, and one school district. Through these collaborative partnerships, over 400 projects have been completed and can be found on UniverCity’s website.
UniverCity is also a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N), an international network of universities and colleges partnering with localities throughout the United States and world. Through this network, University of Wisconsin–Madison can demonstrate successful community-university partnerships and learn from programs across the globe.
