19 L&S Boards | 480 Members | One Collective
The College of Letters & Science is home to more than 480 members across 19 Boards of Visitors. This represents a powerful network of industry-connected alumni and partners.
The Industry Action Collective (IAC) transforms this network into an action-oriented force that amplifies L&S faculty, research and student initiatives, connects students to opportunities outside the classroom, and strengthens visibility of the College’s impact across public and private sectors. As a college-level collaboration connecting the influence & expertise of Board of Visitor (BOV) Members across L&S departments, the IAC provides a coordinated channel for engagement, giving members clear, simple ways to support L&S priorities.
The IAC puts the Wisconsin Idea into action, strengthening impact of $212 million in annual research led by more than 800 researchers in 39 departments, while creating new opportunities for 20,000 undergraduate and 4,200 graduate students across the College.
The IAC Creates Shared Value
College of Letters & Science:
Elevates brand and value awareness, strengthens industry partnerships, and supports research.
Boards & Supporters:
Provides tangible, time-efficient ways to make a difference advancing the L&S mission.
Industry:
Provides direct pathways to research, faculty, staff, and students for building talent pipelines.
Students:
Expands access to jobs, internships, mentorships, and experience through industry connections.
State of Wisconsin:
Advances the WI Idea by driving innovation, economic growth, and opportunity across Wisconsin.
Goals & Impact
- Increase awareness of L&S value across industry sectors & throughout the state of Wisconsin.
- Build a measurable network of influence advancing research, innovation, and the reputation of L&S.
- Position L&S as the go-to talent center for employers recruiting students for jobs, internships & programs.
- Increase the number of employer and industry contacts available for outreach with opportunities including research, sponsorships, special programs, career fairs and development events, and other collaborations.
- Give L&S Boards of Visitors and supporters new opportunities to make an impact.
IAC Engagement Verticals
To deliver targeted opportunities, IAC strategy and outreach are built around four primary verticals that align with L&S Departmental Boards of Visitors and programs. These verticals ensure BOV Members receive relevant, actionable opportunities they can easily bring to their networks:
Frontier Technologies
Human & Social Impact
Applied Sciences
Cultural Innovation
IAC "Action Requests" to L&S Boards
Each IAC engagement “Action Request” is designed to be low-effort but high-impact, focused on amplifying opportunities and connecting industry partners with people in L&S who can help advance the initiatives of the College and industry. Examples:
- Invite peers to attend a research showcase or conference.
- Identify prospective members for a center, institute, or research lab.
- Connect industry partners to sponsorship or research funding opportunities.
- Offer internships and other experiential learning opportunities for students.
- Promote Career Fair participation or employer engagement in other programs.
- Share L&S success stories with their professional and social networks.