UW-Eau Claire College of Health and Human Sciences

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Meg Lagunas, associate professor of nursing, and Dr. Tom Sather,professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences, on their appointment as Health Education Initiative Faculty Fellows. Both bring extensive health and healthcare education experience to the role. As fellows, Lagunas and Sather will collaborate closely with Dr. Carmen Manning, special assistant to the chancellor for healthcare education, and Jackie Nevarez,project coordinator, to advance the health and healthcare priorities outlined in the Vision 2030 strategic plan. Their two-year appointments will begin this summer.

05/20/2026

This commencement season, eight UW–Eau Claire students are achieving something truly remarkable—earning their bachelor’s degrees while incarcerated at Stanley Correctional Institution!

This milestone reflects the transformative power of education—opening doors, restoring hope, and strengthening communities. 💙💛

Through dedication, resilience, and opportunity, these graduates are redefining what’s possible and inspiring others along the way.

➡️ Read their powerful story and the impact of UW’s prison education programs below!

Today, eight graduates of UW-Eau Claire will accept their bachelor’s degrees in professional studies — graduates who have earned their degrees through in-person classes while incarcerated at the Stanley Correctional Institution.

While various iterations of prison-based higher education programs have been offered through Wisconsin colleges and universities for over a century, the vast majority of those have been associate or certificate programs.

The eight UW-Eau Claire graduates, alongside students graduating from UW-Stout at SCI the same day, will be among the first incarcerated people to receive bachelor’s degrees from a UW institution in 51 years.

“I never thought I would have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree through a UW school while I was incarcerated." says an SCI student. "This has been a very empowering experience for me. Throughout this journey my confidence has grown, my belief in myself has grown and my sense of self-worth has grown."

Read more: https://www.uwec.edu/stories/graduates-uw-eau-claire-earn-life-changing-degrees-stanley-correctional-institution

05/15/2026

A proud moment for the College of Health and Human Sciences! 💛

Recognizing the incredible work of our Social Work faculty and community partners who embody service, leadership, and Blugold spirit every day. Congratulations to all honorees! 👏

Last week at the College of Health and Human Sciences Meeting, awards were presented to many deserving faculty and community members.
Specifically in Social Work:

Professor Tester-Morfoot was selected for the Jeff Oliphant Blugold Spirit Award, presented by Dr. Quinn-Lee

Karla Jo Broten,
Youth & Family Program Manager,
Barron County Department of
Health and Human Services, was celebrated with the Honoring Our Professionals of Excellence (HOPE) Award. This was presented by Professor Meinen and two students, Amanda Toscano and Amanda Twitchell, whose academic journeys have been greatly supported by Karla.

Professor Bonlender highlighted achievements of the college Student Leadership Development Fellows.

Congratulations to everyone!

05/13/2026

🌟 Big hooray to these outstanding educators and collaborators! Your dedication and partnership are making a difference every day! 👏

This past Friday, our district was honored to be recognized at UW–Eau Claire!

Katie Borreson received the HOPE Award for Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. HOPE stands for Honoring Our Professionals of Excellence. Mrs. Borreson has supported 20 UWEC students on their journey to earning their degrees. Great job! 👏

Megan Jaenke and Ashley Mason accepted the School Partner of the Year Award. This year, our elementary launched a new partnership that provided UWEC students with hands-on classroom experience, including training in interventions, progress monitoring, and data analysis.

UWEC students continue to play an important role in supporting our classrooms while gaining valuable experience for their future careers.

A big thank you to all of our teachers across the district who partner with these students. 💚

GoBlugolds and !

04/21/2026

The first cohort of UW-Eau Claire’s Master of Science in Exercise Physiology program is graduating, and they’re already gaining clinical experience, conducting research, and preparing for what’s next. With more students close behind, it’s clear this program is just getting started!

Check the full article on UWEC.edu

04/16/2026

Support future educators as they expand their global perspective!
This Scotland immersion experience gives prospective teachers the chance to learn across cultures, explore new educational systems, and bring those insights back to their classrooms.
Help make this opportunity possible!

Follow the link, or scan the QR code!

https://blugolds.uwec.edu/campaign/770668/donate

04/09/2026

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has once again been ranked among the top graduate schools for speech-language pathology, according to data published by U.S. News & World Report on April 7.

UW-Eau Claire’s program is tied for 92nd place out of 286 schools based on a survey of academics at peer institutions, maintaining its placement from 2025. It ranks fourth among Wisconsin institutions and first among Wisconsin’s comprehensive universities.

Check out the full story on UWEC.edu/stories!

04/08/2026

🎉🎉🎉

UWEC has once again been ranked among the top 100 graduate schools for speech-language pathology, according to data published yesterday by U.S. News & World Report.

“We have a long tradition at UW-Eau Claire of educating high-quality speech-language pathologists to serve local schools and clinics,” says Dr. Carmen Manning, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “Our faculty take pride in utilizing proven principles and practices to produce strong clinicians year after year.”

Read more: https://www.uwec.edu/stories/uw-eau-claire-maintains-top-100-speech-language-pathology-graduate-program

04/07/2026

Congratulations to the following faculty members
(💙8 are COHHS faculty!!) who were honored by the Blugold softball team on March 24, Faculty Appreciation Day, during the team’s doubleheader against UW-Superior at The Sonnentag:

💙Dr. Nicholas Beltz, kinesiology;
💙Dr. Lynnsey Bowling, kinesiology;
💙 Dr. Saori Braun, kinesiology;
💙 Randi Goettl, social work;
💙 Dr. Marquell Johnson, kinesiology;
💙 Dr. Jeff Janot, kinesiology;
💙 Dr. Benjamin Krings, kinesiology;
💙 Laura Prince, speech, language, and hearing sciences;
💛Dr. Kristen Abbott-Anderson, College of Nursing;
💛 Dr. Robert Arndt, biology;
💛 Dr. Cole Crider, management and leadership programs; and
💛Matt Siverling, management and leadership programs.

03/31/2026

Another faculty and student shoutout!


-Randi Goettl, assistant professor of social work, received a grant from the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Community-Led Learning Event Support program. The project is titled “Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation Training Series for the Social Work Workforce.” The event goal is to strengthen crisis intervention and de-escalation skills among Wisconsin’s emerging and current social work workforce by providing evidence-based training for students, community practitioners and faculty.

-Faculty and students from the master of science in athletic training program presented their research at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and Symposium March 12-13 in Wheeling, Illinois. Dr. Madison Renner, assistant professor of kinesiology, presented “Overuse and Recurrent Injury Patterns Among Dual-Setting Sport Participants.” Dr. Rachel Kleis, assistant professor of kinesiology, presented “Mental and Physical Health Changes in Division III Female Student-Athletes Throughout the Menstrual Cycle.” MSAT students Cerys Ridd and Amelia Topolski presented “Effects of Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy on Lower-Extremity Power Output in College Students.”

-Dr. Madison Renner, assistant professor of kinesiology, was awarded the Clint Thompson Award for the Outstanding Clinical Practice Manuscript from the Journal of Athletic Training for her publication “Factors That Impact Time to Athletic Trainer Evaluation Following Acute Injury Among Secondary School Athletes: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network.” She will accept the award at this year’s National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Symposium, which will take place June 29-July 2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.