The Visioning Process
In spring 2025, the university embarked on a deeply collaborative process to begin developing the strategic framework.
Central to this work was the formation of a Visioning Committee, convened by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin, made up of students, staff, faculty, and alumni who explored forward-facing opportunities, from technology’s potential impact on both education and the workforce to the imperative of partnerships and the promise of entrepreneurship.
The committee played a critical role in shaping a vision that is comprehensive and reflective of the collective aspirations and needs of UW–Madison now and into the future.
Collaborating to envision the future
Drawing on a broad range of inputs, the Visioning Committee evaluated the diverse ideas and experiences the university community shared.
Leading the way
Chaired by former Provost Charles Isbell and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and former University Committee Chair Lauren Papp, the Visioning Committee began by examining UW–Madison’s strengths and opportunities, arriving at initial concepts that captured broad themes to guide the rest of its collaborative work.
This is where the idea of “the Badger Way” emerged.
Engaging the campus community
The Visioning Committee’s draft concepts were an important starting point for gathering meaningful feedback from campus through survey and structured dialogue. The committee collected input from faculty, students, and staff over the course of 40 campus conversations.
These conversations inspired a tremendous variety of perspectives and helped sharpen the committee’s work. They also led to increasing interest in, and support for, the idea of the Badger Way.
Finalizing the strategic framework
In fall 2025, campus leaders reviewed the committee’s efforts and further refined it to arrive at a strategic framework that positions UW–Madison to fulfill a modern interpretation of the Wisconsin Idea and to move Forward, Together the Badger Way. In early spring 2026, campus leaders reconvened the Visioning Committee for further feedback on the draft framework and incorporated members’ comments and suggestions.
Collaboration
How campus shaped the framework
Drawing on broad themes, the Visioning Committee created draft concepts as a starting point for campus engagement. All students, faculty, and staff were invited to review the committee’s initial concepts and participate in a survey and campus conversations.
The Visioning Committee
The Visioning Committee comprised members of the campus community with a broad range of perspectives. The committee devoted many hours to formulating initial concepts, gathering feedback, and creating a draft strategic framework.
- Jon Audhya, Senior Associate Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health
- Heather Barkholtz, Assistant Professor of Forensic Toxicology, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and UW-Madison School of Pharmacy
- Lonnie Berger, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research in the Social Sciences, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
- Harry Brighouse, Professor, College of Letters & Science
- Catherine Chan, Assistant Vice Provost for High Impact Practices, Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement
- Shantanu Chaudhuri, Student & President, Wisconsin Union Directorate
- Brandon Cortez, PhD Student, College of Engineering
- Jon Eckhardt, Professor, Wisconsin School of Business
- Irwin Goldman, Professor, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Jo Handelsman, Professor and Director, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
- Wendy Harris, Vice Chair, College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board
- Tammy Herbst-Koel, Department Administrator, College of Letters & Science
- Tracey Holloway, Professor, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Charles Isbell, Provost (co-chair)
- Ryan Jacobs, Staff Scientist, College of Engineering
- Annie Jones, Professor of Extension, Division of Extension
- Jon Levine, Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine
- Marc Lovicott, Executive Director, Communications, UW–Madison Police Department
- Megan McClean, Associate Professor, College of Engineering
- Renagh O’Leary, Assistant Professor, Law School
- Christina Olstad, Dean of Students, Student Affairs
- Lauren Papp, Associate Dean for Research, School of Human Ecology (co-chair)
- Katie Pavek, Clinical Associate Professor and Wellness Officer, School of Nursing
- Krishanu Saha, Professor, College of Engineering
- Marcus Sedberry, Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, Athletics
- Soyeon Shim, Dean, School of Human Ecology
- Judith Simcox, Assistant Professor, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Leslie Smith, Associate Professor, School of Education
- Jeff Wiesner, Board Member, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
- Eric Wilcots, Dean, College of Letters & Science
- Dominic Zappia, Student
Ex officio attendees
These attendees offered pivotal perspectives and expertise to the Visioning Committee and were positioned as important resources in the process of developing the strategic framework.
- Kyle Buchmann, Co-Chief Development Officer, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
- Diana Harvey, Vice Chancellor, Office of Strategic Communication
- Erla Heyns, Dean and Vice Provost, University Libraries
- Crystal Potts, Senior Director, University Relations
- Peter Schlecht, University Architect, Facilities Planning & Management
- Fran Vavrus, Vice Provost and Dean, International Division
Support offices and teams
The Office of Strategic Consulting provided critical expertise in coordinating and facilitating the process of creating the strategic framework. Additionally, multiple teams across at least 10 different campus offices contributed to supporting the work and success of the effort.
- Office of Strategic Consulting
- Office of Strategic Communication
- Data, Academic Planning and Institutional Research
- UW Survey Center
- Cultural Linguistic Services, Translation Services
- McBurney Disability Resource Center, CART Captioning
- Office of Human Resources
- University Housing
- Discovery Building
- Health Sciences Learning Center
- Wisconsin Union
This notion of the Badger Way is a new and interesting way of describing the secret sauce that makes the university special. There is something about the ethos here and it is a differentiator.
