UniverCity Alliance is looking for new local government partners to collaboratively address local priorities by leveraging resources at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Through its partnership program called UniverCity Year, Wisconsin cities, counties, municipalities, school districts, or groups that work with local governments develop projects that address a local challenge. Then, UW–Madison faculty, instructors, and students work on these projects and hand them back to the community to be implemented.
“The best part of our program is that both groups benefit,” Managing Director Gavin Luter said. “UW-Madison faculty, staff, and students benefit from learning about what issues look like on-the-ground, and communities who work with our university partners benefit by getting access to new ideas, research, and other information that strengthens communities.”
Through their application, communities identify projects that would benefit from UW–Madison expertise, and UniverCity staff help shape research-to-practice questions. Then, staff connect these projects with faculty, staff, and students across the university. Students, including those enrolled in academic courses and completing internships or field placements, complete these projects in partnership with the community partners.
Now in its 10th year, UniverCity has partnered with 42 community partners that have included counties, municipalities, towns, nonprofits, and a school district. Through these collaborative partnerships, over 400 projects have been completed, addressing topics like transportation, housing, health, agriculture, criminal justice, environmental sustainability, childcare, economic development, and the arts.
To learn more about the UniverCity Year program, please email UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu with any questions. UniverCity accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply today!