UW-Whitewater Makes National Headlines—Find Out Why Students Are Flocking to This Wisconsin Campus

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) is surging into the 2026-27 academic year with record-setting accolades, new academic offerings and major community events that are drawing nationwide attention to Whitewater, Wisconsin. Artificial Intelligence major debuts this fall Responding to employer demand across the Midwest, UW-Whitewater will welcome its first cohort of students in a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, combining data science, ethics and hands-on robotics in a program unique within the Universities of Wisconsin system. Prospective students can still apply for spring admission, and industry partners are already pledging internship slots for Warhawks who enroll. Campus earns $225,000 to boost regional emergency readiness The university’s Institute for Emergency Management just landed a $225 K federal grant to upgrade training labs and create a community disaster-response certificate, expanding opportunities for students in occupational safety, criminology and social work. Special Olympics returns to Whitewater for fourth straight year More than 1,300 athletes will converge on Perkins Stadium June 12-14 as UW-Whitewater once again hosts the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games, an event powered by 800 student and alumni volunteers. Hotels across Walworth and Jefferson counties are near capacity, providing an estimated $2 million economic boost. Warhawks rack up national honors • Wheelchair-basketball legend John Boie, class of ’16, has been named to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, underscoring UW-Whitewater’s reputation as the cradle of Paralympic excellence. • Senior journalism major Chase Keller captured the state’s Collegiate Journalist of the Year award after leading Royal Purple’s multimedia coverage of the 2024 presidential primaries. • The Warhawk Enactus chapter defended its national title in April and heads to the World Cup as the United States representative, thanks to a sustainability startup that turns campus food waste into organic fertilizer. Nation’s top student experience The Wall Street Journal ranked UW-Whitewater No. 1 among Wisconsin public universities for student experience, citing small-class engagement, affordability and career outcomes. Combined with the new AI degree and high-impact internships, the ranking is expected to drive another record freshman class. What’s next • Oct. 12: Homecoming game vs. UW-La Crosse, preceded by the traditional “Paint It Purple” parade downtown. • Nov. 1: Priority FAFSA deadline for scholarships tied to STEM, education and performing arts. • Dec. 14: Winter commencement; keynote speaker is alumnus and NASA engineer Cally Jacque, whose Mars-drone research began in Upham Hall labs. Why it matters From cutting-edge academics to inclusive athletics, UW-Whitewater continues to punch above its weight. Families searching Google for “UW Whitewater” will find a campus redefining regional higher education while delivering championship-level student outcomes. Whether you’re a high-school senior eyeing AI, a volunteer eager to cheer at the Special Olympics, or an employer hunting for skilled interns, the Warhawk community has an open seat at the table in 2026.