With 70% of graduates staying in Wisconsin, UW-Platteville is a key driver in developing and securing top talent for the state’s workforce.
Workforce development
Investing in Ottensman Hall is investing in Wisconsin’s future. This renovation will increase our capacity to be a pipeline for highly skilled graduates, all prepared to excel in critical public service and technical roles. With adaptable laboratory facilities including civil engineering and state-of-the-art forensic science and chemistry labs, the renovated Ottensman Hall will allow UW-Platteville to drive workforce development for generations.
Designed
to mimic the workplace of today
The renovated Ottensman Hall will move beyond traditional lecture-based learning spaces and instead shift to collaborative environments. By learning in settings that mimic the dynamics of today’s workplace, our students will continue to be valuable, productive, and collaborative employees from their first day on the job. These modern, industry-informed learning environments will allow students to collaborate using digital platforms, project management tools, and industry-specific software alongside our stakeholders and corporate teams.
Efficiency and rightsizing
This renovation will allow us to take two of our outdated buildings and approximately 84,000 square feet offline, reducing utilities and deferred maintenance costs while optimizing our responsible use of campus resources.
OTTENSMAN HALL
RENOVATION
$6.7 million for design in 2025–27 biennial budget request
Leaders for tomorrow’s workforce
UW-Platteville delivers a remarkable return on investment: a 96% placement rate and average starting salaries exceeding $66,000. The Ottensman Hall renovation will amplify this success by integrating project-based learning into its core design. This strategic investment in flexible, cutting-edge learning spaces— targeting UW-Platteville’s key centers of excellence in chemistry, forensic investigation, criminal justice, civil engineering, and technology—will guarantee graduates are workforce-ready for years to come.
Modern infrastructure
Modern, attractive facilities are an important deciding factor for students and their families as they make decisions regarding college. Modern spaces that mimic future workspaces and provide increased opportunities to work collaboratively with industry will attract students to UW-Platteville. With our notably high retention and placement rates, attracting and keeping these students in Wisconsin is the goal.
Good stewardship of state resources
By taking 84,023 square feet offline, we will reduce utility consumption, cut deferred maintenance costs, optimize campus resources, and create a more economical campus footprint. This renovation will enable us to consolidate classrooms, offices, and laboratories currently housed in aging buildings with significant deferred maintenance, allowing us to be continued good stewards of state dollars.
