University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offers big-city educational opportunities with small-town appeal. UW Oshkosh, located in central Wisconsin's Fox Valley & just three hours north of Chicago, is the third largest university in the UW System with 12,400 total enrolled (11,000 on campus). In the past 5 years, the campus has seen a 9% increase of students and a 71% increase of students of color. The campus offers students opportunities to develop close connections with their professors, via hands-on learning and collaborative research and creativity, even at the undergraduate level. Responsive to the needs of our students, UW Oshkosh promotes the broadest campus experience possible both in and outside the classroom. In addition to a fully modernized & expanded student union offering numerous meeting and social outlets, a new state of the art student recreation & wellness center will provide an additional 102,000 sq ft for intramurals, informal recreation, fitness, wellness and outdoor/adventure programs. Students can become further engaged on campus through a variety of service and volunteer opportunities, joining one or more of the 152 student organizations, or develop leadership skills through student governance or LeaderShops. They can also participate in campus events/traditions like Winter Carnival or Dragon Boat Races. UW Oshkosh also provides a competitive D III athletic program which has won numerous conference & national titles. The University believes so strongly in its mission to create a community of continuous learners that its faculty, students and administration routinely seek out and create collaborations with regional businesses, governments, health care and educational leaders in an effort to develop a responsive and knowledgeable exchange with the region: in turn, students have a chance to gain valuable work and leadership experience. With four colleges, UW Oshkosh students experience a cutting-edge curriculum and out-of-classroom educational opportunities. Undergraduate students from the College of Business students place in the top 15% nationally on the ETS Major Field Test; while MBA students place in the top 5%. Alumni of the College of Education & Human Services consistently win state teaching excellence awards. The College of Letters & Science has garnered more UW System Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Awards than any other campus. The College of Nursing graduates consistently receive a 100% pass rates on the American Nurses Credentialing Center FNP Exam. UW Oshkosh is committed to "green principles", recycling building materials, practicing energy efficiency and providing leadership in environmental pursuits. As Wisconsin's second largest purchaser of renewable energy, UW Oshkosh is one of only 25 institutions nationwide named a founding member of the Higher Education Steering Committee of the American Council on Renewable Energy and is one of four UW campuses selected by the governor to participate in a pilot program to produce as much energy as it consumes. UW Oshkosh sponsors the world's largest annual Earth Charter community summit, which promotes ecological integrity, social & economic justice; democracy; nonviolence; & peace, and was awarded the esteemed Campus Ecology Recognition by the National Wildlife Federation. Oshkosh boasts the largest, non-PhD granting masters program in the UW System. Masters students enjoy challenging, relevant educational experiences that address the needs of working professionals, and many classes are presented evenings, weekends and online. With $500 million in economic contributions to area businesses and benevolence groups, UW Oshkosh has had significant economic impact on the region. The University has also been recognized for its support of minority businesses through the Governor's Top Special Minority Business Award.