Announced by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin in 2024, the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative is a multifaceted effort focused on faculty hiring, research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration and student opportunity. It is designed to help address significant, complex challenges of particular importance to Wisconsin and the world. RISE hires are intended to build research excellence while expanding instructional and educational capacity and impact. In order to achieve these goals, there is a strong emphasis on collaboration within RISE.
In the spring of 2024, CALS solicited proposals from departments for RISE positions in RISE-AI and RISE-EARTH. These proposals were reviewed and grouped into thematic areas by CALS which served as the cornerstone of cluster hires within each area. The college conducted four searches and is in the process of working through offers for new faculty.
The RISE program funds new faculty hires through central resources as a match to hires funded by schools and colleges. CALS completed several college-funded hires in RISE themes last academic year. Learn more about the RISE-AI, RISE-EARTH and RISE-THRIVE hires that have already been made.
RISE Themes
The RISE Initiative offers an significant opportunity for the college to expand multidisciplinary teams of experts in critical areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and health.
-Dean Glenda Gillaspy