UW-Platteville named a leader in undergraduate engineering programs

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville received the exclusive honor of being named an Engineering College of Distinction. The award underscores the school's dedication to providing a dynamic, experience-based undergraduate education for future engineers.

Colleges of Distinction, an organization that emphasizes the importance of engaging educational practices, commended UW-Platteville for backing its engineering program with a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum and close student-faculty interaction.

"It's one thing to have knowledge about an engineering field," said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. "It's another to have the critical thinking skills, soft skills and experience needed for a successful engineering career. UW-Platteville has shown its strength through such factors as accreditation, practical experience, collaborative work, career services integration and positive student outcomes."

To receive this recognition, UW-Platteville demonstrated excellence in several key areas:

• Stability - The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science (EMS) has a strong foundation, having actively operated for a minimum of 10 years, consistently maintaining enrollment and annually awarding a significant number of degrees.
• Accreditation - The College of EMS proudly holds accreditation from the esteemed Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), ensuring the highest standards of education.
• Practical Experience - Students in the College of EMS engage in valuable hands-on learning opportunities, including internships and co-ops, providing them with real-world experience and preparing them for the demands of the industry.
• Multidisciplinarity - The College of EMS offers a diverse range of majors and minors across multiple engineering disciplines, empowering students to explore their passions and develop comprehensive skill sets.
• Collaborative Work - By fostering a culture of teamwork, the College of EMS facilitates collaborative projects and events like Holiday Toy Hack, WiSys Quick Pitch Competition, Senior Design Open House, student organization competitions such as ASCE concrete canoe, SAE mini-Baja car, etc., enabling students to innovate and create technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges.
• Soft Skills Development - The College of EMS prioritizes the development of essential soft skills, such as effective communication, collaboration, and leadership, ensuring that graduates not only possess technical expertise but also excel as well-rounded professionals.
• Facilities Investment - With substantial investments in cutting-edge facilities, equipment, and technology, the program demonstrates a commitment to providing students with state-of-the-art resources necessary for their skill development.
• Dedicated Advising and Counseling - The College of EMS offers personalized academic advising, major-specific guidance, and career counseling, providing students with valuable support throughout their educational journey and beyond.
• High-Impact Practices - The College of EMS enriches the undergraduate experience through a variety of high-impact practices, including undergraduate research, first-year common introduction to engineering projects course, writing-intensive courses within the engineering curriculum, collaborative assignments and projects, two living-learning communities for Women in STEM and for engineering students, internships and co-ops and nearly 100 senior design projects completed annually across eight engineering disciplines.
• Industry Connections - Students enrolled in the College of EMS benefit from extensive networking opportunities, including career fairs, internships, co-op programs, advisory board participation, Women in STEM professional mentor program, Society of Women Engineers Evening with Industry, industry speakers at student organization meetings, which foster valuable connections and enhance their professional prospects.

Schritter added, "The College of EMS prepares students to adapt to the continuous technological advancements they will experience in their careers. We are inspired by the bright future that lies ahead of UW-Platteville's engineering students."

To explore UW-Platteville's comprehensive profile and discover more about its innovative learning experiences, visit: University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.