MADISON — The University of Wisconsin Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank presented the UniverCity Year program and its partners, including Green County, with a Community-University Partnership Award June 26 for their collaborative efforts to address community challenges while exemplifying the Wisconsin Idea of expanding education and outreach beyond the classroom.

An interdisciplinary effort, UCY engages with local government leaders to identify challenges and then leverages the talents and expertise of UW-Madison’s faculty, staff and students to address these hurdles through analysis, research, concept plans, designs and policy recommendations. 

Now in its fourth year, the UniverCity Year program has engaged with hundreds of students and faculty members on dozens of projects in communities such as the City of Monona, Dane County, Green County and Pepin County. 

These efforts have proven to be a win-win for local governments and UW-Madison, a sentiment shared by Green County Development Corporation executive director, Cara Carper, who accepted the award alongside others. 

“It is such an honor,” Carper said of this award. “Because of UniverCity Year, communities in Green County that never would have contacted UW–Madison for answers, now have relationships with UW staff and a much better understanding of the vast resources UW can bring to our issues. Student recommendations came in many forms, from hundred page reports to a photo book love letter to Monticello. 

We are so appreciative of this opportunity and relationship that will only continue to grow. The project certainly exemplifies people working collaboratively to transform both the campus and our communities for the public good.”