University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UWM's Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2023-2026 Strategic Plan states that it would "[w]ork with campus partners to expand outreach to diverse communities."

On June 29, 2023, UWM's Chancellor issued a message in response to the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which states the following: "UWM is and always will be a welcoming place for all individuals from various backgrounds, experiences and beliefs, and remains committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. UWM is the most diverse university in the state, and we have a unique mission – one that charges UWM to 'further academic and professional opportunities at all levels for women, minority, part-time, and financially or educationally disadvantaged students'.” 

The university is committed to "Developing anti-racist, anti-bias training for faculty, staff and students; Work is underway now and training is expected to begin early in the spring semester."

Following the Spring 2021 UWM Racial Justice and Equity Programming and Training, the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion conducted a number of Spring 2022 sessions on Racial Justice and Equity Programming and Training including Anti-Racist Pedagogy, Understanding Implicit Racial Bias, Allyship, and Racial Equity.

UWM's Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2023-2026 Strategic Plan states that it would "[o]ffer on-going professional development opportunities for campus stakeholders" on the subjects of "equity mindedness, implicit bias, sexual violence and sexual harassment."

As part of the Bachelor’s degree requirements, all undergraduates are required to complete 3 credit hours of a course within the Cultural Diversity category.

The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee paid $43,500 to critical race theorist Ibram X. Kendi for a lecture on September 21, 2021 “to promote several of his books and train faculty and students” on his anti-racist theories.

The university is committed to "Reviewing of 'Towards an Anti-Racist Campus' action mini-grant proposals; $100,000 has been allocated and we expect to announce awardees next month."

UWM's School of Continuing Education hosts the "Culture of Racism, Recovery & Resiliency (CR3) Series," which is a 12-part series that provides "insightful 90-minute sessions devoted to a range of timely topics, including leadership in diversity, restorative justice, cooperative economics and mental health."

The purpose of the Racial Justice and Equity Program at UWM is to "raise awareness about the history of systemic racism and its enduring impact on our society today, examine our own racial socialization, and provide suggestions for action in our everyday life."

The school’s deal to change its DEI programs so that it would gain more funding resulted in hiring to be frozen for DEI positions for a period of 3 years while the school restructures such positions.

The university is committed to "Creating an independent UWM Police advisory workgroup."

On February 25, 2022, the university held the “Toward an Anti-Racist Campus Symposium” where various presenters discussed topics ranging from Anti-Racist Teaching Practices, Race Equity, and Healing and Restoration fro Students of Color.

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has a number of programs, services, and resources on antiracism and diversity including numerous books by Ibram X. Kendi.

On November 9, 2021, the university hosted an event on “Bridging Understanding about Critical Race Theory.”

On December 8, 2023, Inside Higher Ed reported that after six months of funding negotiations, UW system leaders and the Republican-lead legislature had finally reached a deal which was eventually voted down by the UW Board of Regents. The board had "agreed to vote on a deal between system leaders and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos that would freeze and cap DEI hiring in exchange for funding held up by the Legislature." However, "the board rejected the proposal 9 to 8 leaving over $800 million on the table and the future of the system’s DEI offices in limbo." In response to the boards vote, Speaker Vos and Assembly republicans issued the following statement: "'It’s a shame they’ve denied employees their raises and the almost $1 billion investment that would have been made across the UW system, all so they could continue their ideological campaign to force students to believe only one viewpoint is acceptable on campus'."

The School of Continuing Education at UWM is hosting an event titled "Critical Race Theory – Exploring the Resistance," as part of its "Culture of Racism, Recovery & Resiliency (CR3) Series." Presenters at this event would "share information and encourage dialog while examining CRT and the resistance to teaching and learning."

On February 23, 2024, UWM's Honors College is hosting the "Race, Justice, Power Undergraduate Conference," which would "strengthen UWM’s campus community’s commitment to antiracist activism" and "[highlight] various undergraduate students’ multidisciplinary research on issues that challenge racial oppression."

The research of Tatiana Joseph, PhD., Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning, focuses on "First Language Maintenance, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Critical Race Theory and curriculum development."

UWM's Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2023-2026 Strategic Plan states that it would "provide technical assistance to academic and administrative units (e.g., DEI action plans, coaching, mediation)."

The university is committed to "Formalizing an equity lens framework for development of UWM policies."

UWM's Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2023-2026 Strategic Plan states that it would "[r]ecognize employees with demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and belonging" through the administering of an "annual campus DEI Champion Award."

The school has changed the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Division of Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity, keeping the same policies and programs.