The Campus Climate Network Group says campus climate is "behaviors within a workplace or learning environment, ranging from subtle to cumulative to dramatic, that can influence whether an individual feels personally safe, listened to, valued and treated fairly and with respect." (2002). The University of Wisconsin-Madison has made a commitment to improve diversity and campus climate for ALL students, not just the majority.

A diverse campus offers differing viewpoints and perspectives, personal values, customs and life experiences, varying backgrounds, and gender and ethnic differences, which provides a unique learning experience that prepares students for the "real" world in which they work with a wide variety of people.

To create a more diverse and inclusive campus, we need to break down the barriers that separate people by creating programs that will enhance the academic achievements of our students and developing activities that promote cultural diversity, both on campus and off.

Through educational, social and cultural offerings, WAA can provide opportunities to bring a broad range of people together, including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni and people in the community. To accomplish this goal, we need to offer programs and services that invite people from all walks of life to participate in a variety of academic, cultural and social activities, from lectures and discussions to cultural celebrations and receptions, to art exhibits and more.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association's mission is to provide programming that is inclusive to all alumni, but to do this we need the alumni voice. We encourage you to get involved by updating your alumni information so we can keep you informed of the efforts in your area and on campus. Also, let us know how you would like to connect back to the university, and we welcome your feedback on how we can better serve you.

There are many opportunities to be heard and get involved as alumni. The first step is to let us know! For more information, contact Faustina Bohling, WAA's Director of Diversity at fbohling@waastaff.com or (608) 263-4506.

• African American Alumni Association: The mission of AAAA is to promote the welfare and advance the objectives of programs affecting the success of African-American students. AAAA works to connect with past, present and future students of UW-Madison.
• American Indian Alumni Council: Since 1861, WAA has provided a lifelong link between alumni and the university. The AIAC challenges itself to use creative, innovative, and community-inspired programs to assist American Indian students in preserving their diverse cultural values while successfully initiating and obtaining their individual educational goals.
• Hispanic/Latino Alumni:In 1991, a group of very committed alumni organized the Hispanic Latino Alumni Committee to work with the Wisconsin Alumni Association in establishing a Hispanic Latino alumni organization that would be recognized by, and affiliated with, the university.

Through educational, social and cultural offerings, WAA provides opportunities for a broad range of people to come together, including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the community. Thanks to these activities, the diversity department is able to help recruit, support and graduate students of color at UW-Madison.

• Careers
• Dinners on Wisconsin invites alumni in the Dane County area to open their homes for one evening to 10-12 current undergraduates for a night of conversation about their experiences in the professional world over a meal.
• Wisconsin World Connections provides the opportunity to connect students studying abroad with alumni who are currently living abroad in the same country. Our alumni and students feel the UW love thousands of miles from home.
• Prospective Scholars Day is a unique opportunity to invite prospective students from historically underrepresented communities to UW-Madison for a day to learn about student opportunities in higher education, such as the application process and available student benefits.
• PEOPLE Program
• POSSE Program

The Wisconsin Alumni Association is proud to be a part of America's oldest state celebration that pays tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King changed the world with his vision of freedom and equality.

Wisconsin's Annual Statewide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is an uplifting and inspirational event that brings the extended community together to honor his legacy.