For nearly 10 years, UniverCity Alliance has stood as a model for how UW–Madison expertise can help Wisconsin communities thrive. What began in 2016 as the UniverCity Year program — designed to support one-year partnerships between local governments and the university — quickly grew in scope. Early successes and rising demand led to its evolution into UniverCity Alliance, which now facilitates long-term collaborations among regional leaders, students, and university faculty to tackle challenges across the state.
These partnerships have fostered innovation in Wisconsin communities, helping turn ideas into action:
- Adams County launched a housing incentive program to attract new residents.
- Green County developed a mental health and substance abuse navigator role to connect people with care.
- Jackson County created a strategic plan for area development.
- Monroe County evaluated its drug treatment courts.
- Waunakee introduced a land acknowledgment and museum exhibit to honor Indigenous history.
- Wisconsin Rapids created a digital public art inventory.
- Wood County secured funding to support rural childcare and public health initiatives.
These diverse projects showcase UniverCity Alliance’s practical, community-driven impact, and its success has not gone unnoticed. In the 2025–27 state budget, the program received $600,000 in funding to support its continued growth and statewide outreach.
UniverCity Alliance by the Numbers
