Stories of Campus and Culture Celebrates Black History, Storytelling, and UW–Madison Alumni Community

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Black Affinity Group will host Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Urban League Black Business Hub in Madison. The free event invites alumni and community members to gather for an afternoon celebrating Black legacy, cultural storytelling, and connection within the UW–Madison community.

The program will feature a cultural presentation by the SoulFolk Collective, highlighting narratives rooted in Black history and campus experience, along with wine education led by the Milwaukee Wine Academy, spotlighting Black-owned producers and the cultural significance of wine. Guests will also enjoy curated snacks and opportunities for alumni networking and community engagement.

The event is free and open to alumni and the public, with advance registration encouraged.

Event Details:
What: Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Where: Urban League Hub, TruStage Entrepreneurship Event Center, 2222 S. Park Street, Madison, WI
Cost: Free with RSVP
Register: https://www.uwalumni.com/events/black-ag-legacy-libation-campus-stories/

MMSD Human Resources Team Strengthens Staffing Stability, Recruitment and Talent Development

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) continues to strengthen its workforce through strategic recruitment, improved staffing stability and targeted talent development, according to a recent update from the district’s Human Resources team. Together, these efforts support consistent learning environments for students and help schools operate more effectively day to day.

So far in the 2025–26 school year, MMSD has filled more than 700 positions across elementary, middle and high schools, including teachers, educational assistants, custodial staff, food service workers and coaches. Having key roles filled allows for uninterrupted instruction, ensures students have access to essential services and reduces disruptions that can affect teaching and learning. These efforts reflect sustained progress in attracting and retaining staff to support students across the district.

“Our Human Resources team is focused on both meeting immediate staffing needs and building a strong, diverse pipeline for the future,” said Jennifer Trendel, MMSD senior executive director of human resources. “Every hire represents an investment in students, schools and long-term operational health across our system.”

In addition to filling vacancies, the district has made steady gains in workforce retention. Over the past several years, MMSD has seen gradual improvement in employee longevity, reversing trends that intensified during and immediately following the pandemic. When staff remain in their roles, schools are better able to maintain strong instructional teams throughout the year.

An area of significant progress has been the expansion of building-based substitute teachers at 10 MMSD schools. Principals report that consistent, on-site substitute coverage has improved both student routines and staff morale by limiting the need to reassign educators from their primary roles.

The district has also seen strong engagement across multiple recruitment channels, with employee referrals emerging as the leading source of successful hires this year. MMSD continues to recruit through colleges and universities, community job fairs and partnerships with local organizations, while also preparing for additional districtwide recruitment events in 2026.

“Recruitment and retention are strongest when people feel supported, valued and connected to the work,” Trendel said. “We are seeing the impact of intentional outreach, internal referrals and grow-your-own strategies that center our current staff and community.”

Long-term workforce development remains a central priority. MMSD’s Grow Your Own to Associate Degree program and Accelerated Licensure in Special Education initiative continue to create pathways for current employees to become licensed educators, while also helping diversify the district’s workforce. Together, these programs support academic achievement, equity and access, and college and career readiness for students.

For a complete listing of the district’s open positions, please visit MMSD’s careers portal.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Supporting workforce well-being: Dupaco leads the way in financial education

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Employers have traditionally offered their workforce benefits like healthcare insurance, retirement saving plans and paid time off.  With consumers continuing to feel budget pinch points, a recent study by PNC (What Today’s Workers Value Most, Across Generations) found 68% of workers are financially stressed and spending four hours per week at work worrying about money. Partnering with a local credit union, employers are supporting their teams and adding a new, no-cost benefit their teams are requesting: financial wellness programs. 

Dupaco Credit Union’s Community Outreach and Education team now partners with over 1,000 employers in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois to provide financial wellness programs with 1-on-1 coaching, on-site financial education classes and on-demand webinars—all at no cost to businesses or employees. 

These programs are designed to help employees manage their personal finances more effectively— reducing financial stress and distractions while improving overall well-being and productivity. 

“When money worries follow people to work, it impacts everything—from focus and safety to retention,” says Erin Engler, VP Community Outreach and Education at Dupaco Credit Union. “That’s why we bring financial education and coaching directly to the job site and back it up with Dupaco’s digital tools they can use anytime. We meet workers where they are and help them build habits that reduce stress and improve outcomes—for the employee and the employer.” 

Engler leads Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education department—a team of employees who travel to businesses across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois providing no-cost on-site, online and on-demand support for companies and their employees.  

In 2025, this team served select employer groups by providing 1,124 on-site visits and delivered 253 presentations on financial topics like budgeting, debt reduction strategies and credit improvement.  

“We’re essentially a mobile version of Dupaco’s branches and Learning Labs. We’re bringing Dupaco to members and non-members at a place where it’s convenient to them: their employer,” said Engler. 

According to PNC, only 29% of employers surveyed said they offer financial education; this is down from 36% in 2024 and 30% in 2023. The same study also found 81% of U.S. workers are more likely to stay with an employer that offers more financial wellness benefits and 61% of workers without access to financial education say they would use these benefits if offered.  

Dupaco has been supporting area businesses and their employees with no-cost financial wellness programs for decades.  

“Providing financial wellness programs is part of our DNA. Dupaco was formed in 1948 by employees of the Dubuque Packing Company to serve the financial needs of their co-workers and families. Dupaco employees would travel to the various meat packing plants to provide financial education and resources. We continue that same service today, traveling to employers and supporting their employees,” said Engler. 

Regardless of company size or hours of operation, Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education team offers no-cost financial wellness programs for employers. For more information, please visit https://www.dupaco.com/business/employee-benefit-program/.  

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About Dupaco Community Credit Union 

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

WisDOT study comment period extended to Jan. 31

Due to the high volume of comments received so far, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is extending the public comment period to January 31, 2026, for the recent public meeting held for the Beltline Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study.

The Study covers approximately 20 miles of US 12/14/18/151 (Beltline) from US 14 (city of Middleton) to County N (town of Cottage Grove) in Dane County. At the meeting the study team presented an overview of the information included in the Draft Beltline PEL Study Summary Report and the Preferred Strategy Package. The materials from the meeting, including the recorded presentation, meeting handout, and exhibits can be found on the public involvement (PI) page of the study website at the link below.

Beltline PEL PI Page

If you haven’t already, please consider providing feedback by filling out the online comment form. A direct link to the comment form can be found on the public involvement page of the study website.

MMSD High Schools to Host Transition Nights for Rising Freshmen

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will host a series of transition nights in January for current eighth-grade students and their families as they prepare to enter high school in the 2026–27 school year.

Held at each of the district’s four comprehensive high schools, these events offer incoming freshmen and their families an opportunity to learn more about academic programs, extracurricular activities and student supports available at each school. Families will also have the chance to meet teachers and staff, ask questions, connect with other rising freshmen and become familiar with the buildings where students will spend the next four years of their academic journey.

“High school is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and we want families to feel welcomed and supported from the very beginning,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “These nights help students see themselves as part of a school community and understand the many ways they can grow, contribute and succeed.”

Each event will include information on coursework, clubs, athletics and student services, along with opportunities to engage directly with school staff and administrators.

“Transition nights are an important step in helping students and families feel informed, confident and connected as they move into high school,” said Mary Jankovich, executive director of college, career and community readiness. “They provide a space to explore opportunities, build relationships and begin imagining the paths students can take toward graduation and beyond.”

Event details are as follows:

• East High School
  Preppin’ to Be a Purgolder Night
  6–8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026
  2222 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704
  
• Vel Phillips Memorial High School
  Vel Phillips Memorial Night
  6–7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
  201 S. Gammon Rd., Madison, WI 53717
  
• West High School
  Welcome to West High School
  7–8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
  30 Ash St., Madison, WI 53726
  
• Robert M. La Follette High School
  Future La Follette Lancer Night
  6–8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
  702 Pflaum Rd., Madison, WI 53716

Families are encouraged to attend the event for the high school their student will enter next year. Additional information is available on the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.