Gov. Tony Evers visited UWM’s campus Wednesday afternoon, joining Chancellor Mark Mone for a tour of key sites, including the Northwest Quad Complex and the Maryland Avenue pedestrian bridge. During his visit, Evers met with students and employees to discuss the importance of investing in modernized academic facilities, such as the Health Sciences Renovation and other critical infrastructure improvements.
Evers also toured UW-Whitewater Wednesday to highlight his proposed $4.1 billion 2025-27 capital budget, which includes $1.6 billion for capital improvement projects across the Universities of Wisconsin. The projects aim to modernize aging infrastructure, address critical maintenance needs and create flexible, future-ready spaces for students, faculty and staff. This builds on the governor’s previous proposal of $856 million in state funding for the UWs – the largest such biennial budget proposal in state history. Evers emphasized that these investments will ensure Wisconsin’s campuses remain at the forefront of education, research and innovation.
“The projects that UWM has planned are really going to make a difference on this campus, especially in the issues around health care providers. And we need so many more of them,” Evers said during his UWM visit. “Everybody understands how important it is to have more health care workers, especially well-trained ones.”
At the Northwest Quad, Evers walked through the outdated, unrenovated spaces of the former Columbia Hospital and learned how planned renovations will transform the complex into a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary Health Sciences hub. The $189.3 million Health Sciences Renovation will unify programs currently scattered across five buildings, expand instructional labs and enhance collaborative learning in high-demand fields such as physical therapy, biomedical sciences and occupational therapy.
A prime example of this innovation is UWM’s Clinical Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art nursing simulation facility completed in 2022. During his visit, Evers spoke with faculty and students about how realistic, hands-on medical training can better prepare future health care workers.
UWM currently enrolls 2,000 health sciences students annually – a 120% increase since the year 2000 – but outdated facilities limit further growth. The Health Sciences Renovation is expected to increase student capacity by 15%, producing 300 additional health sciences graduates each year. Over the next decade, that means 3,000 more trained professionals entering Wisconsin’s health care workforce.
Evers also visited UWM’s Maryland Avenue pedestrian bridge, underscoring the need for critical repairs and upgrades. Built in 1981, the bridge serves as the university’s primary pedestrian walkway, connecting key areas of campus. His budget proposal includes $7.3 million to improve safety, accessibility and longevity, ensuring a secure and modern crossing for students, faculty and staff.