AT THE FOREFRONT
MSOE comes together
The flagship publication of Milwaukee School of Engineering. With stories inspired by our mission and vision, Dimensions shines a light on our students, faculty, alumni and campus events, all while highlighting the values that unite us.
Editor JoEllen Burdue
Managing Editor Annette Pirrung
Creative Director Kristin Dunn
Graphic Designers Peg Houghton, Chase Patt
Contributing Writers Diane Bacha, Jillian Kokott, Colin Terrill, Dr. John Walz
Images Direct Supply, Front Room Photography, Robin Gates, Mark Hines, Komatsu, Bob Lemke, Meg McKenna, Kent Peterson, Gary Porter, Dr. Christopher Raebel, Elise Strobach, Colin Terrill Use, reproduction or storage of the name, address or other information about any individual identified within this magazine is strictly prohibited and constitutes misappropriation of corporate property.
Address correspondence to Dimensions Magazine 1025 N. Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202 marketing@msoe.edu or (414) 277-7117 Editor’s Note: Several photos in this magazine were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPRING/SUMMER 2021 Volume 35, No. 2
GROWING COMMUNITY
Diversity Council unifies campus MSOE’s Diversity Council is working to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are central in all campus initiatives. These efforts build upon years of work in this space and are paramount to our mission to be an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The council is committed to helping MSOE fulfill its goals of recruiting, educating and retaining a diverse community of students, faculty and staff while also supporting diversity in the university’s surrounding communities. Its long-term goals include ongoing campus assessments, climate surveys and feedback about campus experiences from MSOE students, faculty and staff. MSOE’s diversity efforts aren’t limited to faculty and staff, they also expand into the community. Partnerships and K–12 programming through the We Energies STEM Center help to provide experiences to Milwaukee’s youth, especially to high-need students who may not otherwise be exposed to STEM programming. STEM outreach at MSOE creates and supports inclusive, meaningful experiences for all students to explore the possibilities of their future. The Diversity Council is led by Seandra Mitchell, vice president of student affairs and campus inclusion. Members include Colleen Christiansen, Counseling Services; Jessica Curry, Residence Life; Hanna Eden, Human Resources; Allison Heine De Romero, Multicultural Affairs; Tyra Hildebrand, CREATE Institute; Camille Jenkins, Counseling Services; Kiesha Johnnies, Rader School of Business; Kip Kussman, Dean of Students Office; Kristen Landaal, Campus Life; Candela Marini, Humanities, Social Science and Communication; Leah Newman, Mechanical Engineering; Annette Pirrung, Marketing Communications; Luis A. Rodriguez, Mechanical Engineering; Jimmy Shabangu, Information Technology; Jenelle Simon, Admissions; Jacob Smith, Financial Aid; Katherine Toske, Multicultural Affairs; and Hannah Trees, Athletics.
Last spring we asked Dimensions readers and friends of MSOE to come together and help students who were facing incredible challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. The sudden change from in-person to virtual learning, closing of the residence halls and loss of parttime jobs put a tremendous burden on our students. Our community rose to the occasion and helped us raise $186,000 for the Student Persistence Fund. To this day, donations continue to come in to support the pandemicrelated needs of our students, and we are very appreciative. Thanks to your support, and that of two federal relief acts, we have been able to provide more than $2.3 million in emergency grants to eligible students to help them and their families through those difficult times.
3
