Posted 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Carnegie classification underscores UWL’s commitment to high-impact research
UW-La Crosse has been recognized for the vast and impactful research work of its students and faculty.
UWL was named a Research College and University in the 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — one of five UW schools to earn that distinction. The classification, based on total research expenditures and doctoral degrees awarded, underscores UWL’s commitment to providing hands-on, high-impact learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
“UWL is known for its outstanding academic programs, and research is a crucial part of that,” Chancellor James Beeby says. “When we engage in research, we are not only providing students with practical, hands-on experiences that will help them in their careers — we are also contributing to the pursuit of shared knowledge and the betterment of our communities. The Carnegie classification is a reflection of those efforts and the hard work our students, staff and faculty put in each day.”
Between grants, government funding, institutional funds and other sources, UWL invests an average of $3 million annually in research opportunities for students and faculty.
During the 2024 fiscal year, 123 students conducted research with financial support from 107 UWL-supported Undergraduate Research & Creativity grants.
On the faculty side, in fall 2024 alone, institutional funds supported 34 faculty research projects. Many other faculty obtain funding through external research grants.
A unique characteristic of UWL’s research offerings is its emphasis on undergraduate research — not just for juniors and seniors, but for new students as well.
The Eagle Apprenticeship Program, for example, matches high-achieving first-year students with faculty mentors, allowing them to work side by side on research and special projects related to students’ field of study. More than 300 students have completed the program since it was established in 2013.
According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, approximately 27% of UWL seniors report having worked on a research project outside their regular coursework at some point in their college career — five points higher than peer institutions nationally.
But there’s more to research than experience in the lab or the field. UWL students also build confidence and communication skills by presenting their research at various events, including UWL’s Research & Creativity Symposium and the Universities of Wisconsin’s Research in the Rotunda event in Madison.
Melissa Nielsen, research and sponsored programs director at UWL, says the entire research experience — from conceiving the idea to presenting the findings — prepares students to excel in the workforce.
“Participating in research as a student is recognized as a high-impact practice by national organizations in higher education,” Nielsen explains. “When you look at our Eagle Advantage career competencies (including adaptability, collaboration, communication and more), undergraduate research checks all of those boxes. Having faculty who are actively engaged in research is important because they bring those opportunities into the classroom and engage students in those conversations. It isn’t just academic or theoretical — students can see how to apply what they’re learning to the real world.”
The Carnegie classification is just the latest accolade for UWL’s research programs.
UWL received the 2021 Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments from the Council on Undergraduate Research — a national honor recognizing universities for impactful research initiatives and continual innovation.
Additionally, several faculty members have received individual recognition for their research contributions in recent years, including:
- Heather Walder, Wisconsin Archeological Society Increase A. Lapham Research Medal (2024)
- Sujat Sen, WiSys Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year Award (2023)
- Seth King, WiSys Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year Award (2022)
Learn more about research and sponsored programs and student research at UWL.