Last week, a Visioning Committee convened by Chancellor Mnookin shared an update on the initial concepts that will inform recommendations for the university’s next strategic framework. Throughout April, employees can sign up for an in-person community conversation and share their feedback. In each conversation, a Visioning Committee member will present the initial concepts and facilitate a discussion around key questions.

The Office of Strategic Consulting is hosting Showcase 2025 next Thursday, April 17, at Union South. This free event will feature 40 poster exhibits, poster flash talks, and six breakout sessions on various topics related to continuous improvement and organizational excellence. Faculty and staff can still register to attend without lunch until April 14. Once maximum capacity is reached, registrants will be added to a waitlist.

Please note that there two important schedule updates for Showcase. The Fireside Chat with Provost Charles Isbell Jr. and Vice Chancellor Rob Cramer will now start at 12:45 p.m. (previously 1 p.m.). The Administrative Improvement Awards will now begin at 1:30 p.m. (previously 1:45 p.m.). Learn more at showcase.wisc.edu.

LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Neurodiversity in the Workplace, on Tuesday, April 22, noon‒1 p.m. The term “neurodiversity” is used to describe the individual differences in how people learn and process information. People with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other learning differences are all considered neurodiverse. This session will focus on supporting these employees and helping them to thrive. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

UW-Madison’s Office of Federal Relations is coordinating the campus response to emerging federal updates, including executive orders, agency directives, and congressional activity. Representatives from across campus are monitoring these issues and coordinating communication. The Federal Updates web page provides employees and others in the campus community with updates, information, and resources relevant to campus.