University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
About Us
Innovative Leader. From our Malcolm Baldrige National Quality award to our polytechnic designation, UW-Stout is a leader in educational innovation.
Quality Consultants
Charles W. Sorensen
Chancellor
Charles W. Sorensen is Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Before his appointment in 1988, he served as a member of the faculty and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University and as Academic Vice President at Winona State University. He has been a strong advocate of partnerships with the private sector and building alliances with K-12 schools. Under his leadership, UW-Stout developed a technology park and an award winning technology transfer program. He has served on state wide committees and a blue ribbon commission on the future of the state's economy. Dr. Sorensen has been a strong advocate for distance education, developing a digital campus at UW-Stout, private fund-raising, and using quality tools in an educational environment. He earned a B.A. from Augustana College, a M.S. from Illinois State University, and holds a Ph.D. (history) from Michigan State University.
Julie A. Furst-Bowe
Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs
Julie Furst-Bowe has been in higher education for more than 20 years. She has been at the University of Wisconsin-Stout since 1990, and served as graduate program director, department chair and associate vice chancellor prior to assuming her current position. She has been extensively involved with Baldrige efforts at UW-Stout and serves as an examiner for the Baldrige Awards Program and for the Academic Quality Improvement Project. Dr. Furst-Bowe holds a doctorate in education. She has worked with universities across the country on quality improvement initiatives.
Meridith Wentz
Director, Office of Budget, Planning, and Analysis
Meridith Wentz is director of the Office of Budget, Planning and Analysis at UW-Stout. Dr. Wentz has more than seven years of experience conducting research at UW-Stout. She designs and conducts institutional research studies, and performs statistical analysis of database and survey data. Dr. Wentz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Biology from Saint Olaf College in 1999, her Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2001, and her doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration (Evaluation Studies) in 2007 from the University of Minnesota.