Plexus

Spring 2009

Platteville Extending to Us

Inside:
Project Management Student
Synthia Faulks’
Journey to Uganda
Acquiring New Skills Necessity - Not Luxury
By Dawn Drake

As the economy struggles to recover, workforce development agency, or

individuals continue to lose their
jobs or live in fear of finding their
employment picture changing
dramatically. Because it can be very
easy to become paralyzed during this
time, it is important to be proactive
in acquiring additional skills so you
will continue to bring added value to
your employer (or a new employer).
Historically, people turn to education
to upgrade their skills in tough
economic times. This time is no
exception.
If you have been thinking about
starting or completing a degree
program, NOW is definitely the time
to take advantage of the programs
that UW-Platteville offers.
• Check to see if your company has
tuition reimbursement programs.
The flexibility of taking courses
at a distance allows you to stay
employed while upgrading your
skills.
• If you have recently been laid
off from a job, take advantage of
the training packages or funding
provided by your company, local
state assistance. Often, tuition for
our programs can be covered by
these funds. If you have a question
about this coverage, contact the
Distance Learning Center to see if
we are an approved provider for
your funding agency. If we are
not, we will be happy to complete
the necessary forms to become a
recognized educational provider.
• Consider a certificate program
– it may be the best way to start
working toward a degree program.
There are several certificate
programs available at a distance.
Check them out at www.uwplatt. Dawn Drake
Executive Director of
edu/disted.
Alternative Delivery Systems
• Acquire training for a specific skill resources office to determine if
set, while you are earning your the cost of these courses might be
degree. See the announcement covered from a training budget or if
on page 17 for more information this would be a cost savings for your
about our non-credit online business. One way to help you keep
training opportunities. your job is to help your company
control their costs.
Businesses often cut back on in-house
training during tough economic UWP is a willing partner interested in
times, but your employer may be finding the best way to help you, and
willing to cover the cost of online your company, survive and prosper
training. Talk to your human in these tough economic times.

Northeast Iowa Community College Signs Articulation

Agreement with UWP
By Christine Hawkinson
The path to a UWP Bachelor of
Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ)
degree has been cleared for students
graduating from Northeast Iowa
Community College (NICC) with an
Associates of Arts in Criminal Justice.
“The UWP program is a natural
fit for our students,” explains Dan
Avenarius, dean of business and
2
computer science at NICC. Many of
them receive their two-year degrees
and enter the workplace, so sitting
in a classroom is difficult. The UWP
online program allows them the
flexibility to pursue their bachelor’s
degree while working.”
The articulation agreement between
UWP and NICC speeds up the credit
evaluation process because courses
that transfer are pre-determined
and students earning an associate’s
degree from NICC’s online or
on-campus program can focus
immediately on the UWP BSCJ major.
Coursework will transfer such that
the only UWP course students will be
required to take to complete the
cont. on pg. 10
INSIDE
spring
FEATURE
Trip of Many Journeys Provides Untold Rewards ..........................................12-13

PROGRAMS
Master of Science in Engineering .....................................................................4, 5, 7,
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration ...............................................6, 20
Master of Science in Project Management ...............................................................8
Bachelor/Master of Science in Criminal Justice .........................................11, 15, 19

IN EVERY ISSUE
Alumni Spotlight ........................................................................................................4
PLEXUS is the UWP's Distance
Alumni Advisory Board Update ...............................................................................7
Learning Center's newsletter,
Student Advisory Board Update ...............................................................................9
published every winter, spring and
Ask A Librarian ..........................................................................................................16
summer. PLEXUS is available
Online Course Listings .............................................................................................22
online at:
Contact Information for Online Courses ...............................................................21
www.uwplatt.edu/disted/edp/plexus.

PLUS Distance Learning Center

Acquiring New Skills Necessity - Not Luxury .......................................................2 UW-Platteville
Northeast Iowa Community College Signs Articulation Agreement with UWP...2 1 University Plaza
Know the Financial Aid Process ................................................................................7 Platteville, WI 53818-3099
URGENT: Reset Your Forgotten Password Service.................................................8
Pomp and Circumstance ............................................................................................9 Phone: 608.342.1468
Help Create Assessment for Return to Learn ........................................................10 Toll-free: 1.800.362.5460
Return to Learn Class Off to Great Start ................................................................10 FAX: 608.342.1071
Drums and Cymbals - Second Rendition with a Different Beat .........................11 E-mail: disted@uwplatt.edu
A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss ..........................................................................14
Retention Committee Provides Calendars .............................................................14
Fall 2009 Applications Due July 1 ...........................................................................14 PUBLICATION CREDITS
New Editor Joins Distance Learning Staff .............................................................17 Editor: Christine Hawkinson
Online Non-Credit Training Now Available .........................................................17 Graphic Designer: Christal Swigart
Financial Aid Reminder ............................................................................................17
Enhancing Student Services .....................................................................................18 UW-Platteville

Clear These Three Hurdles to Reach Your Finish Line ........................................18

Benefits for Veterans .................................................................................................21
D L C
Distance Learning Center
Summer Tuition .........................................................................................................23
Summer 2009 Registration Deadlines ....................................................................23
Current Students and Alumni: Update Contact Information..............................23
3
Alum Provides Inspiration and Tips for Success
By Christine Hawkinson

After earning her bachelor’s degree people currently working in the

in physics, Kelli Johnson realized
that to attain a competitive edge
in the market, she needed to take
one more step in her education.
Johnson has always enjoyed taking
things apart and putting them
together, so a Master of Science in
engineering was a natural choice.
“I just did some research. When I
learned about the distance learning
program, I thought ‘UWP would be
awesome because they are known
for engineering,’ so it didn’t take
me long to decide to apply,” said
Johnson.
The flexibility of the online
program allowed Johnson to work
nearly full time as a substitute
teacher and waitress. Though
she may have preferred to be on
campus, the distance learning
program provided logistical and
financial benefits as well as some
unexpected advantages. Johnson’s
instructors created a small town
feel by getting to know her online
as well as on the telephone.
Because the program appeals to
engineering field, she learned a great
deal from her peers and she enjoyed
learning various points of view. She
keeps in touch with a few of those
classmates and enjoyed meeting a
few of them at the UWP graduation
ceremony.
Time management was Johnson’s
biggest challenge. “You need to pay
your bills, and you need to study and
get good grades. In the beginning, I
had to find what worked best for me.
I tried a variety of things, but found
I needed to block myself off from
the outside world – no phones, no
people. I just told myself that’s how it
had to be. I missed out on a lot of fun,
especially in the summer, but in the
end it was worth it when I realized
my goal,” Johnson affirmed.
Johnson’s hard work paid off with
a job offer almost immediately after
graduating. She teaches physics
as an associate lecturer for UW-
Barron County and is also a physics
instructor for Wisconsin Indianhead
Technical College. Johnson has also
Kelli Johnson
Class Year: 2007
Major: Master of Science in Engineering
assumed additional duties as an
admissions representative and
youth outreach coordinator for
UW-Barron County.
Johnson encourages students
currently in distance programs
to network with professors and
classmates. Get involved in the
campus even though you’re not
physically there. And don’t be
afraid to ask questions. Be sure
you are fully aware of policies
and procedures. Finally, be sure
to build in some time for yourself.
“Online learning is different,” she
says, “embrace it and prepare for it.”

Special Invitation for MS Engineering Graduates

By Mary Jo Stutenberg

We would like to invite our MS engineering graduates to join the Order of the Engineer and attend
the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Order of the Engineer ceremony. The
ceremony will take place Saturday, May 9 (following the afternoon graduation) at approximately
3:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. This is a small, private celebration for family and friends and
lasts approximately one hour.

If you would like to participate, contact Mary Jo Stutenberg at stutenbm@uwplatt.edu or

608.342.1625 for further information.

4
Kershaw Enjoys Challenges and Benefits of Online Teaching
By Christine Hawkinson
Tom Kershaw
provides a learning
experience for
his graduate
engineering
students that
mirrors how he describes his own
career: a parallel and complementary
process of learning and work
experience. His online courses
provide students the opportunity to
apply key skills and new knowledge
about their work immediately.
Kershaw believes that students come
to a distance learning class with the
expectation of immediate value.
“They are there for a reason and
expect me to create awareness and
provide skills that will help them
in their current or future jobs – they
expect a meaningful experience,”
says Kershaw. According to Kershaw,
creating that awareness is key in all
of the courses he teaches. When a
MS Engineering Degree Yields Many Rewards
By Christine Hawkinson
Recent engineering graduate, Don
Zurek, can’t say enough about his
distance education experience. Zurek
believes that online learning offers
a better learning environment than
on-campus classes as it provides a
valuable mix of academic knowledge
and real world experience. Many
students, as well as instructors
like Tom Kershaw, have worked
in industry. Zurek explains, “With
online learning, you tend to meet
more people in the same situation
you are, facing the same challenges,
and we can all bring actual work
experiences to the classroom.”
Zurek was immediately able to
apply what he was learning in class
to his job, and his new skills and
student can take two or three ideas
out of a course and impact a current
project, it’s easy to make a connection
to what they have learned in class
and retention is much higher.
Teaching online requires that
Kershaw plan ahead. In a classroom,
students raise their hand and get an
immediate response. Technology
allows online students to raise their
hand using Skype, a page, or e-mail,
but it may take up to 24 hours to
receive a response in online learning.
Kershaw explains, “I try to anticipate
questions, so they don’t have to
raise their hand. I can put notes in
the new section of a unit or chapter
to provide the same information I
would walking into a class, but I have
to do it all ahead of time – for the
entire semester – and anticipate what
comments or introductions I should
include to correspond with that part
of the calendar.”
knowledge translated to a promotion
and raise from his employer, General
Motors. Now that he has completed
his degree, Zurek, currently a
project manager, anticipates further
advancement and opportunities
when the economy improves.
Like most distance learners, Zurek
was faced with time management
challenges. He and his wife work full
time, share household duties, and
are raising two children. Without
the support of his wife, he would
not have been able to dedicate 10-15
hours a week to his studies. Zurek
also learned to find time by reading
over lunch or in the car while his
wife drove. “You have to give a lot
Presenting information online is
complicated by the fact that there are
many ways to accomplish any task
and students have varying learning
styles, which means that every course
provides Kershaw with new insight
on the best ways to accommodate a
diverse group of students.
Kershaw enjoys the challenges of
teaching online, especially when he
gets feedback from students that
he has succeeded in anticipating
their needs and they have a new
perspective as a result of a course.
Teaching online also offers Kershaw
the flexibility to spend time with his
family. Whether he’s working from
his home in Neenah, Wisconsin or
visiting family in North Carolina or
Minnesota, Kershaw continues to
enjoy a parallel and complementary
balance in his life.
of things up,” Zurek affirms, “but
it is definitely worth it.” He also
appreciated the program’s flexibility
and took a couple of semesters off
when he knew he would not have the
time to devote to his studies.
Zurek recommends that students
work closely with their UWP advisor
and staff. “Lisa (Riedle) and Mary Jo
(Stutenberg) gave me a lot of advice
and direction. They pointed me in
the right direction and gave advice
when I needed it. I’ve talked with
these ladies for the last six years and
they are outstanding. The advisors
at UWP are superb and I’m looking
forward to meeting them at the
graduation ceremony in May.”
5
Kelly Curtiss Enjoys New Role as Advisor
By Christine Hawkinson

Kelly Curtiss brings a great deal
of enthusiasm and energy to her
position of associate advisor for
business administration students.
A self-described information guru,
Curtiss encourages advisees to
consider her a resource, explaining,
“I enjoy educating students about the
process and encouraging, energizing,
and empowering them to take the
next step.”
their goals, review their credit
evaluation documents, and begin a
discussion about classes they should
take. After establishing a student’s
interests and goals and discussing
program and grade requirements, as
well as course availability, she uses
her knowledge creatively to help
students as they progress, taking into
consideration their personal, family,
and professional challenges.

Curtiss’ work experience includes Curtiss explains, “I plan to be here

employment as the reservations
systems manager at a four-star hotel
and a stint in the insurance industry
where she earned her agent’s license
through a self-study program. She
combined her interest in helping
others and empathy for employed
students by working as an online
admissions advisor for registered
nurses at the Chamberlain College of
Nursing, a branch of DeVry Inc. As
students moved through that process
very quickly, Curtiss is looking
forward to working with UWP
distance learners over a longer period
of time.
New students meet Curtiss in a
scheduled phone call to discuss
for some time, and since my goal is
to be here long term, I want to find
ways to enhance communication with
students. My goals include making
the most of every phone call because
I know that a working student’s
schedule can be difficult.”
Having grown up on a farm just a
few miles from Central Michigan
University, where she earned a BS
in business administration herself,
Curtiss feels at home at UW-
Platteville and is delighted to work
with a program that offers so many
options to students. In her spare
time, she enjoys bowling, horseback
riding, line dancing, cross stitching,
crocheting, and sewing.
Kelly Curtiss
As a reminder, registration for summer
classes is currently underway. If
you are a student in the Business
Administration Program, please
feel free to contact Curtiss with
any advising questions you have
or just to welcome her to her new
position at curtissk@uwplatt.edu or
608.342.1886.
The Distance Learning Center and
the Department of Business and
Accounting are pleased to welcome
Curtiss to our distance learning team.

New Business Courses Offered in Spring 2009

By Christine Schuldes

This semester, the Business
Administration Program is offering
two courses for the first time: BSAD
3500/5500 Employee Training and
Development and BSAD 4100/6100
Supply Chain Management.
Employee Training and Development
was created by Machelle Schroeder,
who is teaching the online course this
spring and will be teaching it every
6
spring semester. Schroeder teaches
courses both on campus and at a
distance and specializes in teaching
human resources courses.
Supply Chain Management was
developed by Wendy Brooke, who
is teaching it this spring. The course
will be offered again Spring 2010,
and then, starting Fall 2010, it will
be offered every spring and fall
semester. Brooke teaches courses on
campus and online, including Quality
Management, Advanced Quality
Management, Management Science,
Operations Management, and Global
Business.
If you are currently enrolled in one
of the new courses, we hope you are
enjoying it and are gaining valuable
information that will be beneficial in
your career.
Alumni Advisory Board Grows
By Dawn Drake
The Distance Education Alumni
Advisory Board (AAB) is off to
a great start in 2009. Our call
for participation was met with
a great response, and we added
eight members this year. This is
the first year that the group will
be functioning as a recognized
constituent chapter of the UWP
Alumni Association. We believe that
this new affiliation will continue to
increase the visibility and impact
of the alumni from the distance
programs. As usual, this group
will be involved in a wide variety of
activities. Some of the topics include:
• Recruiting and retaining students
• Developing opportunities for
alumni to stay connected to UWP
• Determining how to use the funds
that come to the chapter
• Providing feedback on policies,
processes, procedures, and projects
associated with distance education
• Encouraging alumni support of
UWP and distance education
To learn more about the members and
the various projects they are involved
in, please visit their website: www.
uwplatt.edu/disted/alumni/aab. If
you would like to get involved or
have ideas for new activities for the
AAB, feel free to connect with any of
the board members.
Requirement Change for Certificate in
Engineering Management
The requirements for the Certificate
in Engineering Management were
revised effective November 15,
2008. Students who were admitted
to the program prior to November
15, 2008 can earn the certificate
by either completing the current
requirements or by completing the
Know the Financial
Aid Process
Your Alumni Advisory By Susan Mann
Board Members If you are electing the financial aid
payment option for online courses,
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
you must adhere to these guidelines:
Jeanne Beckley
Jean-Luc Bourdon
1. Your financial aid paperwork
Tara Sanders
must be submitted before you
Jodi Zeal
register for courses. You should
work closely with the UW-
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Platteville Financial Aid Office to
Colleen Armstrong
make sure that you submit all of
Sharon Beery
your financial aid paperwork on
Beth Bland
time. To check your status, call
Debbie Bourdo
800.616.0412 or 608.342.1836.
James Ems
Melissa Gavin 2. To be eligible for financial aid, you
Carl Ross must be admitted and matriculated
Terry Tanner with UW-Platteville and must be
Francie Tuescher enrolled in at least six credits for
undergraduate students, or five
ENGINEERING credits for graduate students. If
Derek Beimgraben you are combining any online
Kelli Johnson courses with other delivery
Jason Zajicek mechanisms (i.e. on-campus
Don Zurek courses, print-based courses,
capstone courses, etc.), ALL credits
CRIMINAL JUSTICE must be processed within the
Gary Apperson same term in order for aid to be
Dan Avenarius considered.
Dan Chlebos
3. You should plan to purchase
Lisa Cousins
textbooks for your online courses
Kyle Konkol
with your own funds so that you
Theresa Panek Ives
have them when classes begin.
Jennifer Taborski
Financial aid is not disbursed until
after the start of the semester. Your
financial aid may help you cover
the costs of your books, but you
should not wait until it is disbursed
to purchase your books.
requirements effective at the time of If your financial aid paperwork is not
their admittance to the program. in order by the registration deadlines,
you must pay up front to secure a
Details are available at www. spot in your courses. Please contact
uwplatt.edu/disted/degrees/eng. your advisor, the Distance Learning
Please contact Dr. Lisa Riedle at Center, or the UW-Platteville
engineering@uwplatt.edu if you Financial Aid Office if you have
have questions. questions about this process.
7
UWP Professor is
Keynote Speaker at
John Deere Forum
By Bill Haskins
Dr. Ginger Levin,
lecturer with UWP’s
online MS Project
Management degree
program, was a
featured speaker
at the John
Deere project management forum
on January 28. This annual event
is held at the picturesque Deere &
Company corporate headquarters in
Moline, Illinois. Dr Levin delivered
the keynote address on knowledge
management to an audience of nearly
200 project managers who work for
John Deere. Later in the day, she
presented two breakout sessions on
virtual teams and project metrics to
capacity audiences.
Deere & Company is a worldwide
manufacturer of equipment
for construction, forestry, and
agricultural applications. The firm
employs numerous UWP graduates
and is an important component of the
economy in UWP’s trade area.
URGENT: Reset
Your Forgotten
Password Service
Project Management
Updates
By Bill Haskins
CHANGES TO CREDIT FOR LIFE
EXPERIENCE
As many student members of PMI
are aware, for a number of years,
UWP has offered six credits to
matriculated students who hold
PMI’s PMP® credential. On February
2, 2009, new rules for our Credit
for Life Experience took effect;
an outgrowth of our program
accreditation by PMI in 2008. Credit
for Life Experience continues to be
awarded for the PMP® credential.
The award will now consist of three
credits, applied toward the elective
category of the student’s degree plan.
This change applies to any
new student who submitted an
application for admission after
February 2, 2009. Students who
submitted applications before that
date, regardless of their actual date of
matriculation, are eligible for Credit
for Life Experience in its original
form upon admission. Students who
applied after that date are subject to
the revised Credit for Life Experience
policy. For questions, please contact
program director Bill Haskins
at projectmgmt@uwplatt.edu, or
608.342.1961.
ADVISING NEWS
a new job in the healthcare industry.
Our program was greatly improved
by her talents and our students were
in highly competent hands when
advising was required. Though
disappointed to see her go, we all
wish her well in her new job.
The search for a new advisor for the
project management and business
programs is underway. Until a new
advisor is hired, current students in
business can contact Kelly Curtiss
(curtissk@uwplatt.edu) and current
Project Management students can
contact Bill Haskins (haskinsd@
uwplatt.edu) for advising assistance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you are currently enrolled in
PM 7010 - Project Management
Techniques I, you will likely complete
PM 7020 - Project Management
Techniques II this summer (2009) or
in the near future.
A new edition of the Kerzner
text now in use for PM 7010 was
published March 2009. The PM
7010/7020 courses are undergoing
revision to accommodate the new
edition (10th), but UWP is using the
current (ninth) edition during the
Spring 2009 semester.

Due to recent system maintenance,
you must configure your forgotten
password service again in case your
NetID password is ever forgotten or
allowed to expire. Everyone using the
system must reset this information,
even if you’ve already configured
it in the past. Learn more at
www.uwplatt.edu/disted/forgotten-
password.html
8
Many MSPM students have had the
Students who take PM 7020 for the
pleasure of working with Francie
Summer 2009 term or later will need
Tuescher, our program’s very own
to purchase a copy of the new (10th)
academic advisor. Tuescher was very
edition of that textbook.
active with committees and process
improvement activities which
Note that similar new edition dates
have benefitted not just our MSPM
and similar purchase requirements
program, but all distance learning
also apply to the other two textbooks
degree programs offered by UW-
for PM 7010/7020 – the Kerzner case
Platteville. Her last day at UWP was
study book and the PMBOK Guide®.
February 4, after which she started
Student Advisory Board Takes Short Hiatus
By Dawn Drake
This year is the eighth consecutive
year of the Distance Education
Student Advisory Board (SAB).
When the group started back in 2002,
we expected it to operate for two to
three years to help with some special
projects and to give input as the
university and the distance programs
moved through several review and
accreditation processes. However,
it was evident that there was ample
interest from a wide variety of
students to keep this group going
beyond their initial responsibilities.
This year, there were fewer people
interested in serving on the SAB, and
the topic list was much shorter than it
Pomp and Circumstance
By Travis Courtney
The Distance Learning Center is
pleased to announce its annual
celebration to honor the graduates of
all the distance programs. Students
with graduation dates of December
2008, May 2009, and August 2009 are
invited to the weekend festivities.
If you are planning to graduate in
May or August and have not yet
contacted your academic advisor and
submitted the necessary paperwork,
please do so immediately. If you have
not received an invitation or RSVP’d
for the event, please contact Travis
Courtney at courtnet@uwplatt.edu or
call 800.362.5460.
A formal recognition dinner will
take place Friday, May 8, at Velzy
Commons of Ullsvik Hall to honor all
graduates and to hear brief updates
from administrators about the
campus, departments, and programs.
This is a great opportunity to connect
with a variety of people from UWP,
had been in previous years. Because
there is less interest in serving on
the SAB this year than in the past,
we decided to take the semester
off and review the future direction
of the SAB. One suggestion from
current students and staff was to
have the group membership follow
the academic year, instead of the
calendar year. To this end, we will
use this semester and early summer
to recruit new members to the SAB
and begin meetings in August, if
enough people are interested.
The current members of the SAB will
stay connected with UWP via e-mail
as well as classmates from around
the country. For many, this will be the
first chance to match friendly faces to
a familiar list of names. Please bring
your family and friends to share this
wonderful time.
On Saturday, May 9, we will host a
brunch reception in the Nohr Gallery
of Ullsvik Hall directly after the
morning commencement ceremony.
This will give our graduates and
their families another opportunity to
interact with fellow students, alumni,
faculty and staff.
We look forward to seeing many of
you, but if you are unable to attend
the celebration, you can take part in
the festivities by logging on to the
Virtual
Graduation
website from
the UWP Distance
Education home
during the spring semester and make
recommendations for changes to
the SAB structure. They will help
determine if the SAB should continue
in the current format, change in some
way, or disband completely. We
need members for the SAB from all
majors, but especially from project
management and engineering. If
you have an interest in serving on
the SAB, beginning during the Fall
2009 semester, please contact Dawn
Drake at drake@uwplatt.edu. To
obtain additional information about
the group, please review their
website at www.uwplatt.edu/disted/
studentcent/sab.
page. While visiting, feel free to
post congratulations wishes for the
graduates in the yearbook.
Fall 2008 Graduates
Warm wishes to our 50 plus Fall
2008 graduates! It was great to see
those of you who were able to attend
the ceremony. If you were unable
to attend, you are welcome to join
us in May. Contact Travis Courtney
(courtnet@uwplatt.edu) in the Distance
Learning Center with any questions.
Congratulations to all of our
2008-2009 graduates!
9
Help Create
Assessment for
Return to Learn
By Shenita Ray
The Distance Learning Center’s
Return to Learn (R2L) class, an online
First Year Experience course for
distance learning students, is taught
by two members of the Distance
Learning Center’s team, Kim Maier
and Amy Griswold. We are confident
the R2L class can help distance
learners achieve academic success,
with your assistance.
We plan to administer assessments
to determine how the R2L course
influences the students enrolled in
the class and their success. Your
experience with online learning gives
you an edge in understanding what
is most important for new students
to learn. Your ideas and feedback
will be instrumental in helping the
team create assessment questions
and tools. The results will be used to
improve the content of the course and
how it is delivered.
As a starting point, tell us:
1. what indicators you would review
to determine success of the Return
to Learn course.
2. how you would collect data to
measure the indicators identified in
question one.
Please share your ideas with the
leaders of the R2L project, Maier
and Griswold. They can be reached
at 800.362.5460 or e-mail: Maier –
maierk@uwplatt.edu and Griswold
– foleya@uwplatt.edu.
10
Return to Learn Class Off to Great Start
By Amy Griswold
Return to Learn, the Distance
Learning Center’s online orientation
class, was up and running quickly in
January with nine students. Students’
enthusiasm and interest was evident
by numerous posts to discussion
boards.
One of the many interesting things
I learned about my students is that
while they all know the importance
of planning and studying, they each
have unique time management and
study skills. Also interesting, was
how students returned to previous
discussions and continued posting
responses to each other, which was
really great to see.
In the first week, we completed
an in-depth introduction that
included information about their
Agreement with NICC cont. from pg. 2
general education requirement is an
ethnic and gender studies course.
Additionally, several courses from
NICC will apply to the BSCJ major
giving students a head start on
completing their requirements.
Avenarius says, “The decision to
form this agreement with UWP was
an easy one, based on affordability,
accessibility, and of course, the UWP
reputation speaks for itself. This is
a well-recognized program and an
excellent opportunity for someone
who wants to go on for a four-year
degree.”
UW-Platteville offers all of the
necessary classes for the Bachelor of
Science in Criminal Justice degree
online. By the end of 2009, NICC
plans to have their two-year degree
available entirely online as well,
making it possible for students
student services representatives
and academic advisors. The second
week covered time management and
study skills and required students to
post comments for several different
discussions regarding those topics,
along with creating and uploading a
mind map. The third week included
working in groups to complete a
mini-project about team building.
Other topics in the course include
learning about various resources and
tools necessary to complete an online
degree.
The eight-week course ended last
month. Watch for an in-depth review
of Return to Learn in the next issue of
Plexus. Check the distance education
blog and RSS announcements for
information on the next session of
Return to Learn.
to complete both degrees from a
distance.
“The online Bachelor of Science
program at UW-Platteville offers
students many of the same benefits
as being on-campus including one
on one advising, an opportunity to
be a part of an advisory board, small
instructor-student classroom ratios,
financial aid and many other great
opportunities,” said Amy Nemmetz,
program coordinator for the Bachelor
of Science program at UW-Platteville.
“Most students are elated to complete
their degree entirely at a distance. We
look forward to assisting students on
their academic journey to reach their
educational goals.”
For more information about the
articulation agreement and the UWP
Bachelor of Science in Criminal
Justice major, call the Distance
Learning Center at 800.362.5460.
Drums and Cymbals – Second Rendition with a Different Beat
By Bob Streff
We are halfway through the second
phase of the Drums and Cymbals
project. Twenty of 21 planned projects
have been completed, with the last
enhancement scheduled to go live
this summer. We have initiated some
innovative, as well as some tried and
proven, technology enhancements.
The Drums and Cymbals project
grew from survey results, committee
discussions, focus groups, and other
sources. We set a goal to incorporate
technology enhancements in all of
our courses by 2010. Sounds easy,
right? Just add them like another
instrument to an orchestra.
Criminal Justice Faculty Update – Dedra Tentis
By Christine Hawkinson
If you’re not part of the solution, you’re
part of the problem. Dedra Tentis, an
instructor for online criminal justice
classes since 2004, lives with this
quote in mind and encourages her
students to do the same. “Criminal
Justice professionals touch many
lives, so it’s important for them to
be passionate about their work, she
explains. They need to continue
growing as lifelong learners. My
hope is that our CJ graduates will
challenge the status quo, because
the current system is not working.
Offenders aren’t getting the help
they need, victims are often ignored
in the system, communities lack a
sense of safety and togetherness, and
our budgets continue to face serious
shortfalls. Besides becoming part of
THE solution, I hope our graduates
become a strong voice and actor for
those in need.”
Tentis shared the following
highlights from the past couple of
years; evidence that she is indeed
part of the solution.
Exactly! Except that our courses
(the performance) are designed
to be asynchronous, and many
technologies are based on real
time interaction. Furthermore, the
conductor (the instructor) can’t just
add a bass drum to a piano concerto.
The instructor must find portions of
the course content (music) where use
of a technology will get the message
across more effectively; determine
which technology is most suitable;
modify that part of the content to
allow the technology to flow into the
course, and then implement it.
Dedra Tentis
Tentis deployed to Arizona as an
Air Force commander in support
of Operation Jump Start (border
mission) from May-August 2007.
Following the above deployment,
she was selected in September 2007
to serve as the Inspector General
of the 133rd Airlift Wing, St. Paul,
Minnesota, which includes 1,270 Air
Guard members.
This is a time-intensive process. A
year was spent testing technologies
and refining our requirements.
We examined each course for
areas needing improvement and
the benefits and drawbacks of
using a particular technology.
We also considered the cost of
implementation, the time required
to create and implement the
enhancement, necessary training
for faculty and students, reusability
within other courses, and other factors.
cont. on pg. 20
In 2008, Tentis completed a book
review of Media, Crime, and Criminal
Justice for Wadsworth Publishing,
as well as four chapter reviews
for McGraw-Hill Publishing
for a criminal justice research
textbook. She also had an article
accepted for publication by the
U.S. Air Force Inspector General
entitled “Generational Differences:
Anticipating and Shaping Future
Leaders”. The article appeared in
the U.S. Air Force TIG (The Inspector
General) Brief, Spring 2008.
Tentis, along with two of her
undergraduate students from
Research Methods in Criminal Justice,
presented “The U.S./Mexico Border
Mission: An Air Force Commander’s
Perspective.” at the Midwest Criminal
Justice Association meetings in
Chicago last year. And in September,
Tentis presented “Using Criminal
Justice as a Transition Topic for
Connecting with First Year Students”
at the Midwest Criminal Justice
Association meetings in Chicago.
11
 TRIP OF MANY JOURNEYS PR
By Christine Hawkinson
Synthia Faulks can attest that
something very special occurs when
our personal, professional, and
spiritual interests converge. She
recently had such an experience
while sharing a similar message
with her audience. Faulks explains,
“A single that is whole is satisfied –
when we become whole emotionally
and spiritually, we have a means of
providing for ourselves and others. “ similarities end
Synthia Faulks
In August 2008, Faulks took her
second mission trip to East Africa
with the Anointed Word Evangelistic
Tabernacle Church of God and Christ.
The group’s mission was two-fold:
to provide healthcare supplies to
hospitals and clinics, as well as
health and spiritual teaching and
preaching for women during two-
day conferences held in the cities
of Jinja, Tororo, and the capital of
Uganda, Kampala. Faulks, a licensed
practical nurse, was accompanied
by registered nurses, a dentist, and
podiatrist. In addition to providing
medical information and answering
Kampala Uganda Conference
12
questions in the workshops, they of life that I want to live. What I have
met with directors of the clinics and discovered is that without Christ, I
schools they sponsor. cannot do anything – everything I do
Conference held in Torror, Uganda
is from a spiritual
The conference perspective first – I
organization and appreciate how
process was similar God has given me
to a conference the ability to raise
held in the United three daughters,
States. But, the travel for work
four days a week,
there. For most of and stay focused
us, attending a two-day workshop to work on my master’s degree. I
might entail a flight, a hotel stay, and really don’t think I’d be able to do
working via laptop computer. The it if this venue of learning was not
hundreds of women who elected to available. I hope it is going no where
attend this conference had to first be in the future and will remain a viable
granted permission by the heads of option for higher learning. Because of
their households to sacrifice two days my experience, I am even considering
of wages. Some had no choice but to becoming an online instructor myself.
bring their children. For many, the I love teaching through my church,
four-to-six hour journey from their on my job ... I really like to teach and
village started with a long, barefoot see people become empowered to
walk and concluded with a truck have better lives.”
ride. Attendees slept
on mats on the floor,
which for many was
a step up from daily
living.
At the conference,
the women were
nourished with food,
health information,
and messages about
Jesus Christ. Their
determination to
attend was matched by
their gratitude.
Faulks says, “It really
opened my eyes to
knowing that as a
single woman in our
world today, I have to
prepare for the type
The three cities Faulks visited were Kampala, Jinja, and Tororo.
ROVIDES UNTOLD REWARDS
Delivering medical supplies to hospital
“I really don’t think
I’d be able to do
it if this venue of
learning was not
available.”
– Synthia Faulks
Faulks’ journey to the UWP project
management degree began when
an advertisement in PM Network,
the Project Management Institute’s
monthly publication, caught her
attention and a co-worker familiar
with the UWP program passed
along contact information for Bill
Haskins, the program coordinator.
Chief physician of Jinja Hospital opening
supplies
She researched other universities, but
explained, “I felt comfortable talking
with Bill (Haskins). He was very
helpful – and instrumental in getting
me started in the program. And,
he’s been a great advisor along the
way because balancing a heavy work
schedule and traveling for work four
days a week is challenging.”
Faulks recognizes that coordinating
any conference requires project
management skills such as
Clinical members of the team with nurses
organization and communication,
but this conference posed additional
challenges such as language
barriers that sometimes necessitated
interpreters for the interpreters. The
organizers needed to execute all
The “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge” (PMBOK
Guide) describes nine knowledge areas of processes that require
consideration in almost all projects:
• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Communications Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management
nine areas of the PMBOK Guide (see
below) to pull together a conference
of this magnitude. Her own
contribution to the event benefited
from her project management
coursework, as she planned and
presented material for her workshop.
Project management coursework
has also enhanced Faulks’ skills
in her job as a project manager for
Cerner Corporation, a supplier of
healthcare information technology
and electronic medical records.
She began working on her Master
of Science in Project Management
in 2005 and plans to graduate this
December. After that, who knows
where life may take her. Faulks never
closes the door when she hears a
call. It seems very likely that she
will have similar experiences in the
future and she encourages others to
“ ... get a passport and make plans
to travel abroad. Maybe Africa is not
for everyone, but there are cultures to
be experienced in other places of the
world that will enrich a person’s life
if they are open to it.”
13
A Rolling Stone Retention Committee Provides Calendars
Gathers No Moss By Kim Maier

By Les Hollingsworth
When things get tough, it’s human
nature to hunker down and wait
out the storm. Unfortunately,
hunkering down is often the
opposite of what you should do.
Sometimes, it’s important to keep
moving. While everyone else is
tightening up, it’s the perfect time
for you or your organization to
take advantage of opportunities
that arise because there’s less
competition. Now might be
a good time to reach out to
your professional network and
strengthen those relationships.
Or, it may be the right time to
expand your skill sets by starting or
finishing your degree. Be proactive
and don’t wait for something –
good or bad, to happen.
As a marketing group, we are
taking proactive steps to fulfill our
mission: To provide access to education
for those who can’t put life on hold to
secure a better future. We continue to
promote our programs and show
prospective students why UW-
Platteville is the ideal choice for
their educational and professional
development. In 2009, we will also
expand the data-driven decision-
making we use in recruitment
efforts. The increased efficiency will
allow us to reach more students
and provide the outstanding service
for which UWP is known.
But the fact is, no matter how good the
teacher, how small the class, how focused
on quality education the school may be
– none of this matters if we ignore the
individual needs of our students.
Roy Barnes
At the Distance Learning Center, we
value your willingness and drive
to continue your education, your
determination to succeed, your
ability to balance many tasks, and
all the other traits that make you
exceptional.
We also recognize the challenges
you face. With time management
high on the list of reasons students
Fall 2009 Applications Due July 1
By Clint Nemitz
Are you ready to earn your
degree and open the door to new
opportunities? If so, we are ready
to assist you with your educational
goals. Below is a checklist for
submitting your application to the
UWP Distance Learning Program.
As you can see, this is not a long
list; however, it is important to start
taking steps to complete it because
deadlines can sneak up on you
quickly. Unlike some deadlines,
these cannot be delayed until the
week before they are due.
stop taking courses, our first step
toward accomplishing our retention
goals for the year was to send pocket
calendars to new distance learning
students in January, along with their
student identification card. The
calendar will help new students
keep track of important dates,
assignment deadlines, and personal
commitments.
If you are a new distance learning
student, please let us know if the
calendar is helpful. The Retention
Committee will continue to evaluate
and provide tools to meet your
needs as part of our educational
commitment to you.
To apply for the Fall 2009 semester,
your application materials are due
in our office by July 1. For an online
application and more information,
click the Apply Now box on our
home page at: www.uwplatt.edu/
disted
If you, or someone you know, are
ready to make a difference in your
life, take the first step today!

Undergraduate Students Contact: Kim Maier

q Online application maierk@uwplatt.edu
q Official copies of high school transcripts 608.342.1468
q Official copies of any and all college transcripts 800.362.5460

Graduate students Contact: Clint Nemitz

q Online application nemitzc@uwplatt.edu
q Undergraduate transcripts 608.342.1468
q Detailed work resume 800.362.5460

14
UWP and Washington State CJ Training
Commission Partnership Expands
By Dawn Drake
During the Fall 2008 semester, nearly
50 law enforcement professionals
from Washington State participated
in the first non-credit online classes
offered in the area of Leadership and
Supervisory Training for Criminal
Justice Professionals through UW-
Platteville Distance Education. This
newly formed partnership was
patterned after the successful multi-
year partnership between UWP and
the Wisconsin Department of Justice
Training and Standards Bureau,
which serves Wisconsin criminal
justice professionals.
After a successful first semester, the
Washington State Criminal Justice
Training Commission (WSCJTC)
expanded their agreement with UWP
to offer four additional online non-
credit classes. The classes include
these topics: juvenile offenders, radar/
lidar, Emergency Vehicle Operators
Course (EVOC), and corrections.
The current plan is to offer the
juvenile offenders class during the
summer session and the next two
classes during the fall semester. The
corrections class will be developed at
a later time. Details about registration
and timelines for each class are being
finalized and will be provided for
eligible participants through the
WSCJTC.
Dr. Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller,
director of UW-Platteville’s online
criminal justice program, explains,
“It has been, and continues to be,
such an amazing experience working
with the folks at the Washington
State Criminal Justice Training
Commission, collaborating on the
development and delivery of online
training and educational programs
for Washington State criminal
justice personnel. What a great
opportunity these online training
programs will provide to the hard-
working law enforcement officers,
correctional officers, and other
criminal justice personnel in the state
of Washington!”
Distance education excels at
mutually beneficial partnerships that
allow states to economically train
individuals in various locations.
Individuals who live in small towns
can access the same training (at the
same time) as people in large cities.
According to Dawn Drake, executive
director of distance education at UWP,
“The partnership with Washington
State Criminal Justice Training
Commission allows both groups
to use their expertise to provide
a quality product. UWP provides
instructional design, student
support services, technical support,
instructor training, and curriculum
development services. The WSCJTC
identifies the training that is needed
and promotes the courses throughout
their state. They also provide the
instructors for the courses. It has
been a truly successful
partnership and
we hope that we
can replicate it
with other states.”
Steve Lettic, division manager for
Organizational Development and
Standards from Washington CJTC,
echoes the same sentiments. “The
Washington State Criminal Justice
Training sought to find someone
that has demonstrated innovative
thinking and had a proven track
record in e-learning development
and deployment. The University of
Wisconsin-Platteville is that perfect
partner. This partnership enables
our agency to widen our training
and education efforts and be fiscally
responsible to both ourselves and our
customer agencies. We are excited for
future collaborations.”
As businesses, states, and organizations
continue to grapple with the economic
forces in our country, it is important
to look at new partnerships that
can address the ongoing need for
education and training. To discuss
possible partnership opportunities
offered at a distance, contact Dawn
Drake at drake@uwplatt.edu.
15
Ask a Librarian
By John Leonard Berg
How Can I Locate and Receive Library Books?
Every professor expects a well-
selected bibliography of reviewed
and authoritative books for research
projects. The Karrmann Library home
page at www.uwplatt.edu/library
is an entry point into the world
of information. You will discover
the library catalog, 150 electronic
databases, newspapers and an
abundance of Internet sites that have
been reviewed and evaluated by
library subject bibliographers.
How can you locate some first class
books? The link Library Catalog (on
the home page) will open the door
to 300,000 books and publications
housed at UW-Platteville. Click
Simple Search, and then enter a term
in the dialog box. If you are searching
for a term like “animal rights,”
you must use quotation marks to
indicate you are interested in a multi-
termed keyword and not just several
unconnected words. You may also
combine several ideas with a Boolean
operator, such as “and.” A possible
search might be: “animal rights” and
ethics.
When you find books you need
for your research, you can request
they be sent to your home from the
Karrmann Library. However, you
can check first with your local public
library about requesting materials
through their interlibrary loan
service. Depending on where you
live, the book may be available in or
near your city and working with your
local library could result in faster and
more direct service.
If that is not an option, the Karrmann
library will mail books to you at no
charge. To request a book, complete
this online web form: www.uwplatt.
16
edu/library/ill/book.html. Please
be aware that regular loan periods
are in effect and that you are
responsible for the cost of returning
books to the Karrmann Library.
What happens when the
Karrmann Library does not
own the title you want or
doesn’t have a book on your
topic? You might find what
you need by exploring other links
on the Karrmann Library home
page. For example, you
might search WorldCat,
a national library catalog
listing the holdings of all
major research libraries
across the country
and even abroad.
Here’s how:
1. Click the link Journal Indexes, The Karrmann Library also has a
Full-Text and more ... service called Universal Borrowing.
This patron-initiated service allows
2. Scroll down and select WorldCat.
students living in Wisconsin to
This allows you to search for
request books from any UW System
information in hundreds of
library and have them delivered
libraries with one convenient
to the most conveniently located
search.
campus. Watch for more information
3. Enter the information for your about this service in a future issue of
search. the Plexus.
4. When you locate the book you
Sound confusing? Need help?
are looking for, next to External
Resources, click Request item
• The Help screens associated with
through ILLiad, and provide the
the library catalog provide an
required information.
abundance of relevant examples
appropriate to the selected page.
Note that it may take about two to
• Consult our guide: How to Find
three weeks to receive your book,
Library Materials at: www.uwplatt.
depending on the location of the
edu/library/guides/find.html
holding library and available copies
for loan. • Call the toll-free library number:
1.888.450.4632 to speak with one of
You can also contact our interlibrary our reference librarians.
loan department for additional
assistance at 608.342.1648.
New Editor Joins Distance Learning Staff
By Samantha Brehm
“I have always loved being in
school,” Christine Hawkinson
exclaimed as she spoke of her new
opportunity to work on a college
campus. Hawkinson explained that
while her work experience is in the
business world, she has always had a
dream to work on a college campus
and is thrilled about the opportunity
to be the Distance Learning Center’s
editor and writer.
Hawkinson is looking forward to the
challenges and rewards she is sure
to encounter in her new position
and is thankful for the welcoming
atmosphere the DLC provides. She
says, “I felt at home immediately
when I stepped foot on campus, and
my job is a perfect fit.”
Hawkinson thoroughly enjoys
the variety of work and personal
interaction with students and staff.
She also hopes to aid the DLC
in providing students with new
skills and a unique opportunity to
learn. She conveyed a true sense of
determination and excitement for her
future with distance learning.
Hawkinson stated, “I hope to find
new avenues for disseminating
information about the Distance
Learning Center and raise awareness
of what the program has to offer.”
She has a strong belief in the positive
Financial Aid Reminder
By Sheila Trotter
You can still file a federal financial
aid application for the 2009-10
academic year on the web at www.
fafsa.ed.gov. If you prefer a
paper application, please contact
the UW-Platteville Financial Aid
Office. Information about summer
Christine Hawkinson
influence of education and that
distance learning can provide a
unique educational experience
to many individuals. She advises
anyone entering a new field to focus
on developing strong communication
skills and stresses the importance of
those skills for any profession.
While Hawkinson has made
remarkable improvements in the
DLC already, she is still taking time
to be actively involved in the lives
of her husband and two teenage
daughters. She cherishes any time
she has to spend with her family and
is now finding a little more time to
relax with one of her favorite books.
financial aid and the application will
be available on the Financial Aid
website beginning in April. If you
have questions regarding financial
aid, please contact Sheila Trotter at
trotter@uwplatt.edu or 800.616.0412.
Online Non-Credit
Training Now
Available
By Dawn Drake
Do you know someone who has
been laid off from their job? Is your
company looking for alternatives
to its in-house training programs?
Are you in need of a new skill set
to help you do your job better? Are
you retired and want to continue
your learning? If you answered
yes to any of these questions, then
you will want to learn more about
UW-Platteville non-credit online
training.
UW-Platteville recently partnered
with Gatlin Educational Services to
provide online non-credit training
opportunities in a wide variety of
fields:
• Business and Professional
• IT and Software Development
• Management and Corporate
• Healthcare and Fitness
• Media and Design
• Hospitality and Gaming
• Skilled Trades and Industrial
The training is broken down
into two distinct areas: career
certificates and individual courses.
To learn more about these online
training opportunities, visit our
website at: www.gatlineducation.
com/uwplatt
You will find information about the
courses, instructor, costs, materials,
etc. Registration for these courses
is processed throughout the year,
so there is no need to wait until the
beginning of a semester.
17
Enhancing Student
Services
By Shenita Ray
One of the many things I love
about the start of a new year is an
overwhelming sense that I have
gained new opportunities to change,
renew myself, and build upon the
goals I have already achieved.
Throughout 2008, the Student
Services team worked very hard to
improve upon the services offered
to distance learning students. Our
accomplishments include:
• Restructuring the roles and
responsibilities of several team
members
• Improving communications to
students
• Creating a first-year-experience
course for students new to distance
education
• Revising the handbook for
undergraduate students
The team is focused on adding more
value to student services in 2009. Our
goals for this year include :
• Identifying, collecting, and
synthesizing reliable data to
measure the student services
processes
• Implementing electronic evaluation
summaries
• Supporting the university-wide
PeopleSoft upgrade
• Improving our internal processes
We are working toward these goals
and are very excited to make the
services we offer our students even
better. Please let me know if there
are additional goals you think are
important for the Distance Learning
Center, in general, and the Student
Services team, specifically, to focus on
for 2009.
18
Clear These Three Hurdles to
Reach Your Finish Line
By Chuck Christison
Learning in an online environment
is not for everybody. Success as an
online student requires dedication
and the ability to structure your time
and energy. Let’s look at some hurdles
we all face at one time or another.
The first hurdle is procrastination.
In an online course, there is no
regular class meeting time and
responsibilities of home and work
compete for our attention, so setting
things aside for later is easy to do.
You need discipline and motivation
to overcome this hurdle. Scheduling
time each day to focus only on the
responsibilities of your coursework
will help. This should become a
routine activity in your daily life.
Set goals for yourself. For example,
course assignments have deadlines;
you might set a goal to complete your
assignments prior to the deadline.
Learn to recognize procrastination
and develop means to side step it;
such as reviewing your goals.
The communication hurdle will
also affect your success; that is,
your connection to your advisor,
faculty and classmates. You should
contact your advisor regularly for
assistance as you progress through
your academic career. Your advisor
can offer encouragement and insight
as well as information crucial to your
success.
Faculty should respond to questions
posted in the discussion area and
to direct e-mail. You can facilitate
good communication by reserving
direct e-mail to faculty for issues
of a personal nature. Questions
concerning class content or concepts
should be posted in the discussion
area so all can share in the response.
Some faculty post their phone
number in their welcome message
as a means to foster communication
with their students. Faculty members
also post office hours when they
will be available to field calls; please
respect these posted times.
Our courses provide a discussion
topic for non-course dialog between
students, often titled “the water
cooler” or “the hallway.” Use this
discussion board as a means to
communicate with your classmates.
Connecting with others can help you
stay motivated and improve your
understanding of coursework. Use
other social networking technologies,
such as Facebook or Twitter, to build
your support network.
You will clear the third hurdle
when you learn about the various
resources available to you and how
to use them. For example, explore the
Karrmann Library website to learn
about the online catalog and hosted
databases. Don’t miss the Ask A
Librarian article in this issue to learn
about locating and receiving library
books and Kelli Johnson offers some
great tips for success in our Alumni
Profile. You can read additional
student and faculty profiles on our
website. These are just a few of the
many resources at your fingertips.
Superstar Instructor: No Cape – Just Smiles of Success
By Amy Nemmetz
Since our learners
deserve the best,
finding instructors
who have truly
“worked in the
trenches” and are
willing to go the extra distance for
students is a challenge that I happily
embrace. I would argue that the
UW-Platteville Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice instructors are
definitely top notch.
Criminal justice instructor, Gary
Apperson, was here for the kick off
of the online Bachelor of Science
in Criminal Justice Program and
continues to shine in the program.
After 25 years in law enforcement
with the Anchorage, Alaska Police
Department, Apperson handed
over his badge to open the door to
retirement. Even though he quickly
turned his focus to teaching the
fundamentals of law enforcement
at the academic level, his legacy
lives on in the Anchorage Police
Department. The following quotes
from Apperson’s policing days truly
reiterate that UWP struck gold when
latching on toApperson:
• After an emergency room doctor
joined Patrol Sergeant Apperson
on a ride along, the doctor
recapped gleaming highlights of
his interaction with several teens
heading for mischief. The doctor
stated, “Rather than be punitive,
Apperson walked up with smiles
to talk with the kids; in the end, the
kids were glad he stopped by. He’s
able to change people’s opinions
and bring them over to his side
without using violence.” (Brandt,
2003, p. 1).
• Apperson’s police chief tried
profusely to talk Apperson out of
retirement (Brandt, 2003). While
recalling the wonderful assets
he brought to the department,
the chief also stated, “He’s one of
those guys that takes you about 10
seconds to like!” (Brandt, 2003, p.1).
• Apperson recognized that reaching
the top level in the department
would mean more time in the
office and less time in squad car.
Subsequently, he was elated with
the promotion to senior patrol
sergeant in 1982. He proudly stated,
“I recognized the best job when I
saw it; as a sergeant, you’re in the
most hands-on position to help the
street troops.” (Brandt, 2003).
I must admit that scoring 100 percent
on exams still brings me satisfaction.
Give the following questionnaire
a whirl – I bet you’ll know all the
answers:
1. Who received the 1997 Anchorage
Municipal Employee of the Year
Award?
2. Who created alcohol free zones for
the city of Anchorage?
3. Who developed an Internet Security
Alert System for local hotels?
4. Who coordinates a writing
workshop focusing on APA, Topic
Selection, Research Databases,
Thesis Statements, Abstracts, and
Revision?
5. Who has spent countless hours
developing a wonderful “Writing
the Research Paper” tutorial for the
UWP Drums and Cymbals project?
6. Who sends Learning Innovations
cheesecake from the Cheesecake
Factory to show appreciation to the
staff?
7. Who always tries to fly from
Alaska for the graduation events
each spring?
8. Who continually receives student
evaluations that say, “Having an
officer who knows the theory and
the practical nature of criminal
justice is by far the best way to
present the material; whenever I
needed something, he was there for
me; I truly attribute my scholarly
writing to this instructor.”
9. Who said “a real thrill for me
is when former students e-mail
me with ‘A’ paper results in their
subsequent classes.”
10. Who is adventurous enough to
take a motorcycle ride with his
wife, Deb, even when there is still
snow on the trees?
Answers to Questions 1-10: Gary
Apperson
It is clear that Apperson is truly
a superstar. He may not wear a
cape to advertise his abilities and
accomplishments, but he definitely
shines. Even retirement cannot keep
him from embracing new challenges.
Sources:
Brandt, T. (2003, October 2). So long Appy: Cop
with ‘ferocity of a teddy bear’ retires after 25
years. Anchorage Daily News, p.1.
Roth, B. (1997, December 11). Apperson
named top city employee. Anchorage Daily
News, p.D4.
19
Susan Hansen Represents UWP as Teaching Scholar
By Jason McGraw, UWP Public Relations
Professor Susan Hansen has been
selected to represent UWP as a
Wisconsin Teaching Scholar.
Every year, each school in the UW
System selects an established member
of the faculty or academic staff who
has been instrumental in developing
new teaching and learning plans, and
has proven to be an inspiration for
education.
“Each scholar embarks on a research
project aimed at evaluating and
advancing the student learning
experience,” Hansen said. “This year,
the scholars hope to learn about how
they can improve their teaching so
that true learning takes place.”
Linda Metzger, UWP student, said
that Hansen presents very complex
information in a non-intimidating
way. “She’s great at drawing parallels
from what is being learned in the
text and lecture to real-life examples
and current events,” Metzger said.
Textbooks have changed as well.
Today’s student aides are laden
with colorful graphs, pictures and a
Second Rendition cont. from pg. 11
So far, we have successfully used
several strategies ranging from
low impact (images and graphs)
to intensive technologies (students
using audio and video in an
online debate). Other successful
implementations include:
• Web conferencing for virtual
office hours
• Audio files for feedback on
assignments and exams
20
myriad of what Hansen refers to as
learning objects.
“She utilizes lecture with PowerPoint
and group exercises accompanied
with discussion to better clarify the
objectives of the exercise,” Metzger
said.
“My global business class, which is
an introductory class, has students
that have been around computers
their whole lives,” Hansen said.
“Students today are more dependent
on technology.”
With students comprehending and
processing information differently
than they did 10 years ago, teaching
styles have to change. “Learning
styles have changed over the years.
We have to find out what hits the
student, to meet the student where
they are at,” Hansen said.
Hansen has taken a well-rounded
career path before arriving at UWP.
“I’ve worn a lot of hats,” said
Hansen. After graduating from
Bethany College in Kansas, Hansen
entered the job force as a treasurer
• Audio and video files (in Flash
format) to demonstrate examples
of procedures and processes
• Collaborative tools for students to
work on group projects
• Video tutorials
New courses and those undergoing
revision will be scrutinized for areas
where technologies will enhance
learning. Instructors teaching courses
not yet enhanced will have a toolbox
of technologies to use as they find
the need. This toolbox contains
Susan Hansen
for Roundup Enterprises and over
the next seven years, worked as a
controller for both Colonial Savings
and Loan and Kornfeld-Thorp Inc.
During that time, she earned her
MBA in finance from the University
of Missouri at Kansas City. She then
received her DBA in international
business from the University
of Sarasota while she was the
coordinator of the online business
program at UWP. Hansen has been
with UWP since 1991 and resides in
Dubuque, Iowa.
technologies the instructor can
incorporate without assistance.
They can insert these toolbox items
in non-content areas of the course
such as news, discussion, feedback,
and in supplemental links.
We are on target to meet our 2010
deadline, and we are committed to
the technological changes that will
assist our students and maintain
the UW-Platteville Distance
Education Program’s reputation
of being a leader in high quality
distance education.
Benefits for Veterans
By Shenita Ray

If you are a student and a veteran,
there are federal and state
educational benefits available for
which you may be eligible. The
Registrar’s Office is the certifying
office for veterans’ benefits at the
University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
To qualify for educational benefits
through Veterans Affairs, a veteran
must be enrolled in an approved
degree program. Veterans have 10
years from their date of discharge to
use their federal educational benefits.
Benefits are payable for 36 months
while enrolled in school.
Please visit the Department of
Veteran Affairs website www.gibill.
va.gov for more information about
Federal GI Bill Education Benefits.
Also, for eligibility assistance and
information regarding other veterans
benefits, contact the Veteran Service remission. For further information
Officer, Tom Taber, 111 S. Jefferson, about eligibility and what costs are
Rm. 142 Lancaster, WI 53813-1671 covered, please visit the UW System
Phone: 608.723.2756 Fax: 608.723.4048 FAQ page at www.uwsa.edu/acss/
veteran@co.grant.wi.gov. student/WI_GI_Bill_FAQs.htm.
At the state level, the Wisconsin Whether applying for state or federal
G.I. Bill provides a waiver of veteran educational benefits, it is
tuition for eligible veterans and important to contact the
their dependents for up to eight Veteran Service Officer
full-time semesters or 128 credits at for your county to learn
any University of Wisconsin System about the application
or Wisconsin Technical College System process for these
institution. Qualifying veterans benefits even before
receive a 100% remission of standard you are formally
tuition and segregated fees admitted to the
excluding textbooks. However Distance
some programs, like the Learning
Distance Learning Program, Program.
have higher tuition
costs are not
eligible for 100%

UW-Platteville Program
Contact Information for Coordinators

Online Courses Business Administration

Christine Schuldes
Phone: 608.342.1980
Technical Support - UW Learning Innovations E-mail: schuldesc@uwplatt.edu
Direct questions that relate to problems getting access to the course (e.g., passwords,
login name) and/or other hardware/software problems that you encounter when Project Management
navigating through the course. Bill Haskins
Toll-free: 877.724.7883 Phone: 608.342.1961
E-mail: techsupport@learn.uwsa.edu E-mail: haskinsd@uwplatt.edu

Learner Services - UW Learning Innovations Criminal Justice (bachelor)

Direct questions that relate to billing, registering for an online course, ordering exams, Amy Nemmetz
nominating proctors, refunds and problems with receiving textbooks from the online Phone: 608.342.1494
bookstore. E-mail: nemmetza@uwplatt.edu
Toll-free: 877.895.3276
E-mail: info@learn.uwsa.edu Criminal Justice (master)
Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller
Student Services - UW-Platteville Distance Learning Center Phone: 608.342.1652
Direct questions that relate to admissions information and status, course grades, financial E-mail: banchoc@uwplatt.edu
aid, transfer of credits, general questions about programs offered at a distance from
UWP, information about policies and procedures associated with each online program. Engineering
Toll-free: 800.362.5460 Lisa Riedle
E-mail: disted@uwplatt.edu Phone: 608.342.1686
E-mail: riedle@uwplatt.edu

21
 Summer 2009 Online Courses
Registration is now open for Summer 2009 online courses. Please refer to our website www.uwplatt.edu/disted for admission requirements, registration instructions,
course descriptions, course rotation schedules, and for any changes to this course listing and fee schedule. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

ACCT 3000 Accounting Issues for Managers CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice
BSAD 1300 Global Business CJ 2130 The Police Function
BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management CJ 2230 Correctional Philosophy
BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing CJ 3330 Police Administration
BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice
BSAD 3100 Compensation Management CJ 4030 Criminal Law
BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior CJ 4130 Police-Community Relations
BSAD 4840 Business Policy/Strategy CJ 4230 Community-Based Corrections
*BSAD 4950 Portfolio Development COMM 3010 Business Communication
COSC 1830 Microcomputer Applications

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice *CJ 4930 Criminal Justice Seminar
CJ 2130 The Police Function ACCT 3000 Accounting Issues for Managers
CJ 2230 Correctional Philosophy BSAD 1300 Global Business
CJ 3330 Police Administration BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management
CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing
CJ 4030 Criminal Law BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management
CJ 4130 Police-Community Relations BSAD 3100 Compensation Management
CJ 4230 Community-Based Corrections BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior
*CJ 4500 Directed Individual Studies (1-3 cr.) COMM 3010 Business Communication
*CJ 4880 Internship in Criminal Justice (8 cr.) COSC 1830 Microcomputer Applications

You may register for undergraduate print courses for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice any
working day of the month. Contact us for information.

Master of Science in Engineering

ENGRG 5030 Linear Algebra *ENGRG 7980 Independent Study in Engineering (1-3 cr.)
ENGRG 6050 Applied Statistics PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
ENGRG 7030 Simulation Modeling of Engineering Systems PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II
ENGRG 7520 Design for Manufacturability

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

CJ 7230 Criminological Theory *CJ 7920 Seminar Paper Research
CJ 7330 Law as Social Control *CJ 7980 Independent Study in Criminal Justice (1-4 cr.)
CJ 7430 Victimology *CJ 7990 Thesis Research (3-6 cr.)
CJ 7520 Civil Liabilities in Criminal Justice Agencies BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management
CJ 7530 Criminal Justice Administration BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior
CJ 7630 Contemporary Correctional Systems: CE 7130 At Risk Youth
Institutional and Community-Based Corrections PSYC 7030 Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
*CJ 7880 Criminal Justice Internship *PSYC 7980 Independent Study in Psychology (1-4 cr.)

Master of Science in Project Management

BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II
BSAD 5100 Compensation Management PM 7030 Project Risk Management
BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior PM 7040 Interpersonal Skills for Virtual and Co-Located
COMM 5010 Business Communication Project Teams
ENGRG 6050 Applied Statistics *PM 7840 Project Management Capstone
PHIL 7530 Business Ethics *PM 7940 Special Topics in Project Management (1-3 cr.)
PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I * PM 7980 Independent Study in Project Management (1-4 cr.)

*Contact advisor for prior approval and registration instructions.

22
 Summer 2009 Tuition
Subject to change without prior notice
Course specific fees are not included. Textbooks are also at the student's expense. The cost will vary depending upon the textbook and the number of required textbooks.

TUITION AND FEES FOR ONLINE COURSES

Cost per Credit (regardless of residency) Transfer Application Fee (nonrefundable)
Undergraduate $350 Undergraduate $44
Graduate $595 Applicable to all transfer students except those transferring directly to
UW-Platteville from one of the two-year UW Colleges.
Application Fee (nonrefundable)
Undergraduate $44 Online courses must be paid for in U.S. dollars by check, money order or credit
Graduate $56 card (MasterCard or Visa).

TUITION AND FEES FOR UNDERGRADUATE PRINT-BASED COURSES

Cost per Credit University Services Fee (nonrefundable)
Wisconsin Resident $211.84 One course per contract enrollment plan $60
Nonresident $527.39 Two or more courses per contract enrollment plan $120

Administrative Fee (nonrefundable) Course Extension Fee (nonrefundable) $30/course

Wisconsin Resident $10/credit Portfolio Assessment Fee (nonrefundable) $75
Nonresident Student $10/credit Portfolio Transcripting Fee $150
International Student $25/credit (for 1-9 credits) plus $50/credit for each 5 credit increment beyond 9 credits

Application Fee (nonrefundable) $44 Print-based courses must be paid for in U.S. dollars by check, money order
or credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa).
Transfer Application Fee (nonrefundable) $44
Applicable to all transfer students except those transferring directly to
UW-Platteville from one of the two-year UW Colleges.

Summer 2009 Registration Deadlines

March 2, 2009 Registration opens for Summer 2009 online courses.
April 14, 2009 Last day to submit Independent Study Proposal (Financial Aid Recipients).
April 28, 2009 Attention: Financial Aid Applicants – last day to register and choose the financial aid payment option.
May 4, 2009 Last day to register and choose the Wisconsin GI Bill payment option (for those who qualify).
Please note that online courses have a higher cost than the standard on-campus tuition rate covered by the Wisconsin GI Bill remission.
Therefore, the Wisconsin GI Bill does not cover 100 percent of online tuition and you will be responsible for payment of the difference.
May 4, 2009 Last day to submit Independent Study Proposal (Non-Financial Aid Recipients).
May 11, 2009 Last day to register and choose mail-in payment option.
May 18, 2009 Last day to register (with credit card payment) and payment deadline for those who sent in payment by mail.
May 18, 2009 Last day to cancel your enrollment and have the administrative fee refunded.
June 1, 2009 First day of classes.
Aug. 7, 2009 Last day of classes.

Current Students and Alumni: Update Contact Information

Are you getting updates from the
Distance Learning Center? Has your
mailing or e-mail address changed
since you first gave them to us? When
was the last time you updated your
contact information?
You will miss important updates To update your addresses and phone
and deadline reminders, as well as numbers, click the Contact Us button
information about activities and on the Distance Education home
events, if we do not have your current page and select Update Your Contact
contact information. We have created Info – or go directly to the web
a web form for you to complete with form at www.uwplatt.edu/disted/
your current information. changeform.html.
23
PLEXUS Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
Platteville Extending to Us PAID
Permit #477
Dubuque, IA
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
1 University Plaza
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818-3099

What our
GRADUATES
are saying!
“Do it. Definitely do it. The biggest thing that I learned was
to use your resources; meaning, use everyone you can.
People are more than willing to help you out to get your
college education. You can tell somebody you’ve never even
met that you’re about to graduate and you need their help
and they will just help you. It’s unbelievable – so I would say
definitely do it and just know people will help you.”

–Kelly Blindauer, 2008 Graduate

UW-Platteville

D L C
Distance Learning Center