UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Gibson gives State of the University Address

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

STEVENS POINT – On Jan. 19, UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Tom Gibson gave his State of the University Address in Michelsen Hall of the Noel Fine Arts Center, where he imparted the college’s 2022 accomplishments and impact and plans for 2023.

Gibson said that enrollment at UW-Stevens Point has stabilized.

“We have maintained a 23% increase in first-year student enrollments over the past three years. This was accomplished despite a statewide decline in the traditional age student population,” Gibson explained.

“Our successful recruitment is due in no small part to the focus efforts and personal contacts made by our exceptional recruitment and admissions personnel. UWSP is realizing the benefits of our integrated marketing and enrollment infrastructure with strong indicators for the fall 2023 recruitment cycle.

“A few of the highlights include the following admissions applications are up by 13% from last year and 23%. From the three-year average, admitted student day RSVPs are up by 20%, confirmations are up by 16% and housing applications, which is a really good indicator, are up by 27%.”

Gibson said that the college was growing institutional reserves to mitigate a potential shortfall in the 2023-25 budget.

Looking ahead, finances will be aligned with UW-Stevens Point’s institutional vision.

“We’ve developed a budgeting model that is transparent, flexible and aligned with our enrollment and planning efforts. Business Affairs has provided regular updates of our finances and training to help our university colleagues better understand the budgeting process.”

UW-Stevens Point will also focus on serving both the internal and external communities for “the greatest impact.”

“A university-wide committee will be established to promote campus climate, community health and overall well-being,” Gibson said.

Other strategies are focused on “serving our students in enhancing our institution’s success.”

 “Intentional, impactful, innovative, that is what we strive for through purpose-driven education as we live out our mission,” Gibson added.

“That is what energizes us to do our best in our professions and guides us to inspire our students to succeed as a top regional public institution in the state and beyond.

“UW-Stevens Point is a leader and partner in solving problems and addressing issues locally, regionally, and statewide. This may happen quietly behind the scenes, or it may involve collaborators publicly or privately.

“Our intrinsic obligation is to help meet community needs. We are committed to being a steward of place.

“Take for example our doctor of physical therapy program which launched last summer, North Central Wisconsin population is older with a greater incidence of heart pain related in cerebrovascular diseases. Yet the number of licensed physical therapists per 100,000 residents is about half of what it is in southern Wisconsin.

“Our College of Professional Studies team worked with health care providers and other professionals for nearly eight years, planning how to best address this need.”

“The Wisconsin Forestry Center at UWSP is receiving a State Workforce Innovation Grant of $8 million. The grant will support education and help to create a pipeline to forestry careers for the next generation.

“The grid brings together a coalition of partners in industry, education and economic development. All across Wisconsin, hundreds of homeowners have benefited from the expertise at the water and environmental analysis lab. The lab has collected and analyzed more than 125 wells samples in its 50 years of existence.

“This outreach and leadership has extended to every corner of Wisconsin, helping state residents to verify drinking water quality.”

Gibson also relayed that UW-Stevens Point had implemented a university diversity plan

“A university diversity plan will be introduced following reviews by shared governance and university cabinet. The plan outlines institutional objectives and strategies in four areas – institutional commitment, student success, campus climate and education,” he explained.

Enrollment and collaboration on branch campuses will also be addressed.

“We’re also partnering with our branch campus executives to grow enrollment, exploring new collaborations with school districts and business leaders in the region. Our branch campuses are critical to expanding educational access to students and we are committed to their success,” he added.

Gibson also applauded the UW-Stevens Point staff for their commitment to providing a purpose-driven education.

“I see them grow personally and professionally. They are transformed during their time at each of our campuses. They are transformed by what they learned in the classroom and lab by the co-curricular activities and hands-on learning experiences,” he stated.

“By the opportunities they didn’t even know existed before they became a pointer, they are prepared to reimagine and make an impactful difference in their world.

“This purpose-driven education is important, life-changing work and we cannot do it without each of you. So let’s continue to be intentional, impactful and innovative and 2023.”