A Message from the Provost: Week of 3.09.26

March 12 | 2026
 

Dear Colleagues,

 

As we approach spring break, I wanted to share just a few brief updates. Thank you for the many ways you continue to support our students, one another, and the land-grant mission of the University of Wyoming as we move through the semester.

 

The Office of Community Engagement and the Service, Leadership, and Community Engagement (SLCE) office invites nominations for the 2026 Community Partner Excellence Award. This award recognizes a Wyoming organization that has demonstrated outstanding collaboration with UW to create meaningful community-engaged learning opportunities for our students through service-learning courses, internships, community-based research, and other forms of experiential education.

 

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or community partners, and self-nominations are welcome. The recipient will be recognized during the Experiential Education Showcase on Friday, April 10. The nomination deadline is Monday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m. You can submit a nomination [Qualtrics survey]. A big thank you to the many community partners and colleagues across the university and in Wyoming who help make experiential learning possible for UW students, and a shout-out to our Special Assistant to the Provost for Experiential Education, Nevin Aiken, for his work over the last couple of years to support these great initiatives!

 

On Monday, March 16, benefited employees will receive an invitation from Modern Think to participate in the Great Colleges to Work For survey. This confidential survey provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to share candid feedback about the employee experience at UW, including topics such as collaboration, leadership, benefits, and workplace culture. Your perspectives help us better understand our campus climate and identify areas where we can strengthen our community. The survey will remain open through April 3, and I strongly encourage you to participate.

 

On the recent staff and faculty listservs, there was an important note from International Students and Scholars (ISS). ISS has received many questions regarding admission and funding decisions for incoming international students, particularly those from countries currently included on the federal travel restriction list. At this time, UW continues to recruit, admit, and issue immigration documents for students from all countries, including those currently on the list. Federal officials are expected to review the list every 180 days, and we want students to have documentation prepared should visa appointments become available. Departments are encouraged to continue considering qualified applicants from all countries. If you have questions about the visa process for specific applicants, please contact ISS. Their website also maintains an updated section on current immigration topics and policy developments. My thanks to Isa Helfgott, Jill Johnson, and the ISS team for their continued guidance and support for UW’s international student community.

 

Finally, a quick celebration moment as our own Dean Peter Parolin will appear as Leonato in the upcoming UW production of “Much Ado About Nothing”. Performances will take place April 10–12 and April 16–18. Our performing arts programs contribute greatly to the creative life of our campus and community, and I hope many of you will have an opportunity to attend! Break a leg, Dean Parolin!

 

 

 

I hope spring break provides many of you an opportunity for rest and renewal. Please note that there will not be a Provost’s message next week during the break. The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees will meet in Laramie March 25–27, and we will share updates following those meetings.

 

Thank you for all you do for UW and for our students.

 

Anne 
Email: provost@uwyo.edu | Phone: (307) 766-6476 
University of Wyoming
1000 East University Avenue Laramie, WY, 82071