The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a remarkable place: a world-class public research university filled with talent, knowledge, energy and excitement — all of which can be leveraged into a positive impact on the lives of others throughout Wisconsin and the world. The Wisconsin Idea is as alive now as it has ever been.
The Office of University Relations works hard to tell this story by building and nurturing relationships with local and statewide communities and business and industry and by fostering partnerships and relationships throughout the state and the world. This variety of relationships is key to UW–Madison, making the university a valued resource for industry, ensuring that its mission is understood by government leaders, and providing students, families and communities a meaningful understanding of what campus life is all about.
What We Do
The Office of University Relations has three areas of focus that offer a variety of services and programs for the university community, alumni, prospective students and parents, community and government leaders, business community and the general public. These units, Campus and Visitor Relations, Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, and Industry Engagement, work collaboratively and creatively on projects designed to increase awareness of the university among a variety of constituents.
Campus and Visitor Relations
As UW–Madison’s official resource for campus and community information, Campus and Visitor Relations (CAVR) responds to phone calls, emails, live chats, and in-person inquiries from a variety of clientele, including students, faculty, staff, prospective students and families, visitors, alumni, and community members.
CAVR provides campus tours for prospective students and families, as well as custom tours for a variety of other audiences, through its Campus Visit Program. You can get answers to your questions at Campus and Community Information Desks at Union South, Memorial Union, and the Discovery Building. More than 100 student tour guides, information guides, and operational staff members are here to help.
Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships
The university’s Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships group advocates for UW–Madison locally, at the state Capitol, and in Washington, D.C.; helps foster strong ties between the university and tribal nations and communities; and connects business with a wealth of resources at UW–Madison. These efforts also build bridges with parents, prospective students, K–12 groups and the broader community.
Offices
Industry Engagement
Dedicated to supporting new and existing industry-university relationships, UW–Madison’s Industry Engagement function manages the critical challenges and opportunities that fall within UW’s holistic approach to business and industry. Led by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Industry Engagement, the staff of the Office of Business Engagement strives to amplify the impact of UW research and talent by encouraging the transformation of discoveries into knowledge, products and services with societal and economic value. Serving as a liaison between the tech transfer, talent, innovation, sponsored research and technology licensing arms of the UW–Madison and affiliated organizations, Industry Engagement teams build mutually beneficial relationships with business and industry to access the people, processes and research power of UW–Madison.