The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is an outstanding professional development opportunity for faculty and academic staff to be introduced to the Wisconsin Idea, a commitment to use university expertise and resources to address the challenges faced by our state and beyond. The seminar also introduces participants to Wisconsin, the home of the majority of our UW-Madison students. In addition to building connections with the people of Wisconsin, seminar participants have a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues from many departments across the University, discovering common interests as friends and potential research collaborators.

During this annual five-day seminar bus tour, participants will be immersed in the educational, industrial, social and political realities of Wisconsin. Past routes have included stops at Wisconsin businesses, dairy farms, Native American reservations, UW System campuses, tourism destinations, state correctional institutions and urban high schools.

Nominations are now being sought for participants in the 2016 Wisconsin Idea Seminar. Please note that the tour is especially designed for new faculty, recently promoted faculty, new department chairs or associate deans and lead academic staff with statewide responsibilities.

CALS departmental chairs and directors should submit nominations to Therese Henry in the CALS Dean’s Office by March 2, 2016.

The program is partially supported by a generous grant from the Evjue Foundation. Each sponsoring school or college provides $650 for each participant’s room and board. This fee is non-refundable after May 1.

Nomination forms and additional information may be found at the Wisconsin Idea Seminar website: www.provost.wisc.edu/wis.

If you have questions regarding this year’s seminar, contact the Wisconsin Idea Seminar office by email at wis@provost.wisc.edu.