Programs and Services

Professional Development

Continuing Education Program on Inclusion

Professional development is an important part of the support and growth opportunities available to all employees within the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the University of Wisconsin Colleges.  The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion provides a range of offerings including workshops, trainings, guest speakers, short courses and immersion experiences, all of which serve to build the critical knowledge, understanding and skills needed to develop engaged and inclusive working and learning environments.

Multicultural Awareness Program (MAP)

Using trained peer educators, MAP strives to:

• increase the diversity of our educational programs, the participants in those programs and our institutional partnerships;
• enhance our ability to apply multicultural concepts and practices in our work environment and our educational programs; and
• improve our ability to recruit and retain a diverse work force while valuing and building on the strengths and abilities of all our staff.

MAP builds upon previous UW-Extension diversity training, including work with VISIONS, Inc. and Michigan State University Extension. MAP is open to both UW Colleges and UW-Extension faculty and staff.

MAP sessions are scheduled for May 1-2 in Madison, and June 4-5 in Brookfield.  Please go to the MAP website for additional information or to register. 

UW-Extension Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program (SAAIP)

The SAAIP is an internship program designed to recruit college students from underrepresented groups for summer employment that will expose them to new experiences and potential career paths within UW-Extension. UW-Extension is an equal opportunity employer and no qualified applicant will be eliminated from consideration. Active recruitment of students for this program will be focused on groups of students who are underrepresented in the department or division that is sponsoring the internship according to goals outlined in UW-Extension’s Affirmative Action Plan. Depending on the position and the department, these groups may include racial/ethnic minorities, women in traditionally male-dominated areas of study, and students with disabilities

To find out more about this program or how to participate, please contact Cathy Debevec at 608-262-0277.  The request for applications for funding of internship positions (up to 50%) generally is posted to our website and goes out via e-mail to all UWEX employees in late October/early November;  however, the timeline may be subject to change, so please check our website or contact our office as fall begins for more exact information re: application dates.

Legal Compliance

Accommodation Coordination

University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension provides accommodations to people with disabilities and people with religious obligations.  The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion coordinates these activities, and safely stores confidential medical information. If you would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion or complete the accommodation request form.

Complaints and Grievances

The University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension Office of Inclusion is responsible for intake and investigation (both formal and informal) of complaints and grievances that are based on illegal discrimination or harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Please contact the Affirmative Action Officer or Civil Rights Specialist in the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion if you would like to discuss your situation, or if you have knowledge of such incidents.

Affirmative Action

While working to provide equal employment opportunity and a workplace free of discrimination and harassment is the responsibility of all employees, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion tracks progress toward meeting affirmative action goals and monitoring compliance with state and federal affirmative action laws and regulations. We also collaborate with others, including institutional leaders and the offices of human resources, to create and maintain an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for all.

Systems of Inclusive Excellence

Planning, Implementation and Assessment

The University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion works collaboratively with individuals and groups throughout the University of Wisconsin System in helping create and sustain the processes and structures needed for planning, implementation, assessment, and communication related to inclusion. For example, the Director facilitated the creation of a framework that will help guide efforts in this area. The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is also developing Web-based technology that allows different programs, offices, and campuses to share information with each other.