News for Employees

• 2026 Administrative Improvement Awards recipients announced

  April 1, 2026

  Ten team projects received Administrative Improvement Awards, sponsored by Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer, in March. These awards recognize outstanding work and commitment to enhanced service delivery, process development and redesign, increased efficiency, cost savings, and overall administrative improvements. The winning teams, representing innovative projects across campus, will be honored at a celebration event on April 9.

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• Supervision and management program offered virtually and in person

  April 1, 2026

  The Principles of Supervision and Management (PSM) certificate program will be offered in virtual and in-person formats this spring and summer. The virtual classes will be held on Zoom from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 22 through July 1. The in-person cohort will be on the westside of campus at the School of Nursing’s Signe Skott Cooper Hall on Thursday afternoons from May 21 to August 6. Although the program is open to all managers and supervisors, it is designed especially for managers who are newer to their roles.

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• Women and Leadership Symposium call for proposals

  April 1, 2026

  The Women and Leadership Symposium, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:25 p.m. at the Memorial Union, brings together engaged professionals for networking, professional development, learning from women leaders, and sharing of best practices. Symposium organizers are inviting proposals from speakers who would like to share their knowledge and talents with attendees in 60-minute breakout sessions. Proposal criteria and conference topics are available online. Session proposals are due April 17. Registration for the conference is also open.

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• Communities of practice help peers develop their skills together

  April 1, 2026

  Communities of practice (CoPs) are peer-organized learning communities that bring together people from across an organization to teach one another, share resources, and find inspiration in their connections and creativity. CoPs provide a cost-effective way to share information, solve problems collectively, innovate, and engage in professional development. Dozens of CoPS are active at UW–Madison. Find a CoP or learn how to start a new community of practice online.

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• Academic Staff Institute registration deadline approaching

  March 25, 2026

  The Academic Staff Institute (ASI), an annual professional development conference for UW–Madison academic staff, will take place on Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Union South. The registration cost of $25 includes lunch. Those who join the Academic Staff Professionals Representation Organization between now and April 1 will receive free registration to ASI. All attendees will receive free membership to the Madison Academic Staff Network through August 31, 2026. Registration is open through April 1 at go.wisc.edu/xlw5yw.

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• Applications open for Insights to Impact (i2i) program

  March 25, 2026

  The Insights to Impact (i2i) program helps instructors transform data into actionable strategies that improve student learning and success. Selected participants work on a project that is meaningful to them, and receive dedicated teaching and learning data support, pedagogical consultation, and governance guidance. Projects often lead to data-informed curriculum changes and ongoing research opportunities. Faculty and instructional staff are invited to apply to the 2026–27 program. The early bird deadline is April 6, and the rolling deadline ends May 23. Early applications receive priority and spaces are limited.

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• America Saves Week provides resources for financial well-being

  March 25, 2026

  UW–Madison employees are invited to learn about financial well-being during America Saves Week, April 6 through April 10. The campaign encourages everyone to check in on their finances by highlighting areas such as saving automatically, preparing for unexpected expenses, and reducing debt. Live and on-demand webinars will be offered on a variety of topics. Some webinars require pre-registration. Credit check-ups and individual counseling sessions are available by appointment or with pre-registration. Learn more on the Universities of Wisconsin America Saves website. Employees are also encouraged to sign up for Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) News Online from Employee Trust Funds (ETF) to learn more about retirement, finances, and overall well-being.

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• Help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace

  March 25, 2026

  All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning about substance misuse, encouraging others to make healthy choices, and knowing where you or others can go for help, if needed. Review this information and find resources for drug and alcohol prevention at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.

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• Reminder of June 30 deadline to use personal holiday and vacation carryover

  March 18, 2026

  UW–Madison employees are reminded to make plans to use certain leave balances before the end of the fiscal year. University Staff, Academic Staff, Faculty, and Limited appointees must use personal holiday hours, floating legal holidays, or vacation carryover on or before June 30, or those hours will be lost. Employees eligible to bank vacation hours will be able to make those elections in Workday from July 1 to September 30. (Eligible University Staff may also choose cash payout elections.)

  Employees are encouraged to review their leave balances (called “time off balances” in Workday). Workday has several ways to view time off balances, including directly from the Employee Profile (see the HR Guide on How to View Time Off Balances for details). Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors to schedule time off. Employees with questions should contact the human resources department in their school, college, or division.

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• Registration deadline approaching for Administrative Professionals Conference

  March 18, 2026

  The Administrative Professionals Conference will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Union South. The conference is designed for UW–Madison employees and others who would like to learn professional skills across a wide variety of topics, including career management, leadership, workplace skills, relationship building, communication, well-being, and more. Registration is due March 31. The $125 fee includes the keynote, workshops, continental breakfast, and lunch. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to approve staff requests to attend the conference.

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