Fox Cities News

Jenna Graff, international programs manager at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, is being recognized for her work to support student success. The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will honor Graff and two additional recipients of the Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting in Milwaukee on June 7. The awards recognize exceptional service to the university and are the Universities of Wisconsin’s highest recognition bestowed on members of its academic staff.

“This year’s award recipients reflect the impressive range of initiatives conducted by our academic staff across the Universities of Wisconsin,” said Regent Jim Kreuser, chair of the selection committee. “Our honorees create vital education programs and opportunities that foster student success and support community partnerships.”

Award recipients are selected for superior performance resulting in significant contributions to their department and institution; use of positive personal interaction to manage work changes; and a consistently creative approach that improves productivity and work quality. Each recipient is awarded $7,500.

The 2024 recipients include two individuals and one program:

**Jenna Graff, International Programs Manager, UW Oshkosh**

Graff has served as UW Oshkosh’s Director of the Office of International Education since its inception in 2003. During her tenure, she has facilitated study abroad trips for over 6,000 students, led by more than 100 UW Oshkosh professors and instructional academic staff to 50 countries on all continents except Antarctica. Students have studied tropical ecosystems in Belize, engaged in clinical nursing practices in India and Peru, and partnered with community organizations in Nicaragua to study human rights and social justice. In addition to developing faculty-led study abroad programs, Graff has supervised recruitment, admission, orientation, and retention of international students.

**Lynda Bader**

Lynda Bader is Director of Clinical Trials Strategic Initiatives at UW Clinical Trials Institute at UW-Madison. Bader has enhanced the clinical trials landscape at UW-Madison by initiating strategic improvements that have catalyzed growth and increased performance in this critical area of research. Recognizing the need for standardized cost structures, Bader orchestrated a collaborative effort involving multiple departments to establish a universally applicable fee structure template for industry-sponsored clinical trials. This initiative facilitated efficient budgeting leading to increased revenue from industry-sponsored research—an accomplishment that has gained attention from other academic institutions seeking her guidance.

**Children’s Center, UW-Whitewater**

The Children’s Center's mission is to transform lives by providing a learner-centered early care environment inspired by Reggio-Emilia practice—a student-centered educational philosophy focused on preschool education. Led by Director Chelsea Newman, it provides over 6,000 placement hours annually for students completing fieldwork in Early Childhood Program studies. The program has built partnerships across campus since its opening in 1974 including with Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate students who provide screening services benefiting both children at the center and offering vital clinical experiences.

The committee also recognizes other nominees:

Individual nominees included Dr. Connie Schroeder (UW-Milwaukee), Liz Schaal (UW-Platteville), Mark Huttemier (UW-River Falls), Dr. Tobias Barske (UW-Stevens Point), Britta Miller (UW-Stout), Kristine Zaballos (UW-Whitewater).

Program nominees included UW-Madison’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program; UW-Milwaukee’s Office of Assessment & Institutional Research; UW-River Falls’ Campus Recreation Department; UW-Stevens Point’s STEAM Point Days Program; UW-Stout’s Instructional Resources Service Department.

Besides Krueser (chair), other members on the Academic Staff Excellence Awards selection committee included Regent Robert Atwell, Regent Haben Goitom, Regent Mark Tyler.

Learn more:

Universities of Wisconsin