How UWL's Parent Advisory Board drives meaningful change on campus

When his son enrolled at UW-La Crosse, Mike Gross didn't want to just stand on the sidelines. He wanted to make an impact.

Gross found the perfect platform through UWL's Parent Advisory Board, a group of parents and guardians of current UWL students who provide feedback to the vice chancellor for Student Affairs and support university initiatives such as philanthropy, community outreach and more.

"Becoming part of the Parent Advisory Board has enriched my connection to UWL and offered valuable opportunities … to make a positive difference within the university community," Gross says. "There's a real sense of camaraderie - parents come together with a common purpose, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and building a network that benefits both us and our children."

By day, Gross is a human resources business partner for the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Healthcare System, where he works to promote organizational effectiveness, foster employee engagement and support the VA's mission of providing quality care to veterans.

He brings the same principles to his service on the Parent Advisory Board, helping to identify opportunities for the university to grow and making a direct impact on student success.

For example, board members advise the vice chancellor on how to best distribute dollars from the UWL Parent Fund, which provides financial support for student experiences, campus engagement programs and emergency resources for students in need.

Members also play an important role connecting with families during START (STudent Advising Registration and Transition) and UWL's Family Weekend each October.

Gross says he's grateful to UWL for offering parents a place where they can feel not just involved in their child's college experience, but that they are truly making a difference.

"UWL consistently fosters a campus environment that feels welcoming, authentic and inclusive," he says. "The university's commitment to community makes our involvement feel meaningful and appreciated."