MADISON, Wis. — The Universities of Wisconsin are outlining a series of proposed state investments aimed at tackling workforce shortages, expanding Wisconsin’s health care pipeline, creating new businesses and advancing research into diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s.
The initiatives are part of the UW System’s upcoming state budget proposal, which the UW Board of Regents is expected to consider next week.
One of the largest pieces is Healthy Wisconsin, which seeks a $90 million state investment across Wisconsin’s 13 public universities. UW leaders say the goal is to train 35,000 new health care professionals over the next decade.
“When health care professionals are in short supply, it can be harder to get an appointment, harder to get timely care, and harder for communities to thrive,” said Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter. “This proposal strengthens the health care professional pipeline and involves all UW universities to make it happen.”
UW leaders are also proposing investments designed to address broader workforce needs and encourage entrepreneurship.
The Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin initiatives would help move new technologies from university research labs into the marketplace while supporting entrepreneurs as they create businesses and develop new products.
Combined with other workforce initiatives, UW leaders say the goal is to produce 300,000 career-ready workers, help one million existing workers gain new skills and support the creation of 2,500 new businesses over 10 years.
“The Universities of Wisconsin play a critical role in developing talent, spurring innovation, and sparking entrepreneurship,” Board of Regents President Kyle Weatherly said.
Other proposals include UW for U, focused on continuing education, online learning and competency-based education, and U Succeed, which would expand student support such as academic and career advising.
The university system is also seeking $25 million for its Cures for Tomorrow initiative, designed to advance research and treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases.
Wachter said the investment would support promising research, strengthen partnerships and give students opportunities to participate in work that could ultimately lead to new treatments and medical breakthroughs.
“Every family knows what it means to hope for more time, better treatment, earlier diagnosis, and a breakthrough that changes someone’s future,” Wachter said.
