MONROE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Dennis Shields visited Monroe Thursday to discuss how to implement university programs to better address the needs of local businesses and government officials.
He began his day with a trip to Klondike Cheese, where fourth-generation cheesemaker Luke Buholzer showed Shields around the facility. The chancellor also stopped by Colony Brands Inc., the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Monroe Truck Equipment.
"It's community engagement," Shields said. "We're a regional public institution, so we have an obligation to serve the whole region where we are. And one way to do that is to get out and meet people."
It has been a priority for university administrators for the last two years. Initially, it was just Shields and Daniel Wackershauser, the chancellor communications specialist. Recently, they added Business Training and Development Manager Tim Noble and Director of Corporate Relations Eric Fleming.
They have visited Darlington, Dodgeville, Fennimore, Prairie du Chien, Cuba City and other communities throughout southern Wisconsin.
In meeting with business leaders, Shields said the collaborative effort consists of discussion about the programs offered by the university and whether the offerings to students help create capable employees. They also noted whether UW-Platteville graduates were being hired at local facilities.
During the tour of Klondike Cheese, the group noted roughly 20 alumni working in various positions at the factory.
Rick Waski, district administrator for Monroe public schools, and Cara Carper, Green County Development Corporation executive director, as well as business owners and other representatives of the community were present at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce to discuss collaborative ideas.
Shields also had lunch with Mayor Louis Armstrong and City Administrator Phil Rath. The group sat down at Minhas Kitchen for a meal and an informal discussion about the possible collaborative efforts between student projects and the progress of Monroe.
"It wasn't anything specific," Armstrong said. "They're incorporating part of their curriculum ... He commented on the downtown and how nice it was."
A native of rural Iowa, Shields said small towns can be depended on to have basic commonalities. Passionate individuals who are committed to their community are a constant, as are challenges as the area tries to be a success.
"This is rural Wisconsin," Shields said. "They're trying to determine 'how do we make our community attractive?"
Discussion with area leaders can help clear up misunderstandings of what services the university offers and opens a door for local people to have input on its operations, he said.
Each employer takes on interns and employees from UW-Platteville, Shields said.
Needs expressed Thursday by a variety of business leaders were generally similar.
"You have trying to attract talent, and then you have the organizational and personal development issues," Shields said. "So, attracting new employees, but also if there's a skills gap or you're trying to improve your organization or there are certificates they need to earn or graduate degrees that they need; how can you do that, can you do that at a distance, can we bring some of that to them?"
Regional comprehensive universities can be stewards, not just for student education but for advancing the surrounding communities, according to Shields.
"We have the capacity to have a tremendous impact," Shields said. "We're not coming to tell them what to do. We're really coming to sort of say, 'How can we help and what should we be doing that will help you?"
He began his day with a trip to Klondike Cheese, where fourth-generation cheesemaker Luke Buholzer showed Shields around the facility. The chancellor also stopped by Colony Brands Inc., the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Monroe Truck Equipment.
"It's community engagement," Shields said. "We're a regional public institution, so we have an obligation to serve the whole region where we are. And one way to do that is to get out and meet people."
It has been a priority for university administrators for the last two years. Initially, it was just Shields and Daniel Wackershauser, the chancellor communications specialist. Recently, they added Business Training and Development Manager Tim Noble and Director of Corporate Relations Eric Fleming.
They have visited Darlington, Dodgeville, Fennimore, Prairie du Chien, Cuba City and other communities throughout southern Wisconsin.
In meeting with business leaders, Shields said the collaborative effort consists of discussion about the programs offered by the university and whether the offerings to students help create capable employees. They also noted whether UW-Platteville graduates were being hired at local facilities.
During the tour of Klondike Cheese, the group noted roughly 20 alumni working in various positions at the factory.
Rick Waski, district administrator for Monroe public schools, and Cara Carper, Green County Development Corporation executive director, as well as business owners and other representatives of the community were present at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce to discuss collaborative ideas.
Shields also had lunch with Mayor Louis Armstrong and City Administrator Phil Rath. The group sat down at Minhas Kitchen for a meal and an informal discussion about the possible collaborative efforts between student projects and the progress of Monroe.
"It wasn't anything specific," Armstrong said. "They're incorporating part of their curriculum ... He commented on the downtown and how nice it was."
A native of rural Iowa, Shields said small towns can be depended on to have basic commonalities. Passionate individuals who are committed to their community are a constant, as are challenges as the area tries to be a success.
"This is rural Wisconsin," Shields said. "They're trying to determine 'how do we make our community attractive?"
Discussion with area leaders can help clear up misunderstandings of what services the university offers and opens a door for local people to have input on its operations, he said.
Each employer takes on interns and employees from UW-Platteville, Shields said.
Needs expressed Thursday by a variety of business leaders were generally similar.
"You have trying to attract talent, and then you have the organizational and personal development issues," Shields said. "So, attracting new employees, but also if there's a skills gap or you're trying to improve your organization or there are certificates they need to earn or graduate degrees that they need; how can you do that, can you do that at a distance, can we bring some of that to them?"
Regional comprehensive universities can be stewards, not just for student education but for advancing the surrounding communities, according to Shields.
"We have the capacity to have a tremendous impact," Shields said. "We're not coming to tell them what to do. We're really coming to sort of say, 'How can we help and what should we be doing that will help you?"