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Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesota

goersab — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesotagoersab February 4, 2026

Computer science senior hired as a hardware developer before graduation

IBM, the largest industrial research organization in the world, has been at the forefront of innovative technology and systems for more than a century. Advancing from its earliest electric accounting machines to partnerships in space travel and cloud computing, IBM is a leader in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

At IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, �� computer science senior Amber Kuhn is completing her cooperative learning experience as a hardware development intern.

Kuhn, of Andover, Minnesota, will graduate in May 2026 and has accepted a full-time hardware development position at IBM, where she plans to continue growing her skills in industry while gaining deeper experience in large-scale systems and engineering practices, she said.

“This internship has reinforced my interest in the field of computer science and confirmed that I am on the right career path. I am grateful for the support from both �� and IBM, and I am excited to continue learning and contributing as I move into a full-time role.”

What interests you most about computer science?

What interests me most about computer science is the combination of problem-solving, logic and creativity. I enjoy building systems that have real-world applications, especially when software interfaces directly with hardware. I find it especially rewarding to take abstract concepts and turn them into functional, reliable solutions.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to make an impact by contributing to well-designed, reliable systems and by building tools that improve efficiency and reduce errors for both engineers and users.

Long-term, I want to be involved in work that bridges software and hardware and that has tangible, real-world impact. Enterprise computing systems are a strong example of software and hardware with significant real-world impact. Large-scale server hardware, combined with low-level software, firmware, and automation tools, supports industries such as health care, finance, government, cloud services and research. These systems are critical because they must be highly reliable, secure, and scalable to support essential services and large volumes of data.

Through my internship experience, I’ve seen how internal software tools and automation can make a meaningful difference by streamlining workflows, reducing configuration errors, and improving system reliability. While these tools may not be customer-facing, they have a broad impact by supporting the engineers and technicians who build and maintain complex systems.

I hope to contribute to fields that rely on dependable infrastructure and high-performance systems, particularly enterprise computing and hardware-software integration. I am especially interested in building tools and systems that support technical teams and help ensure that critical technologies people rely on every day function reliably and efficiently.

What are your main roles as an intern with IBM?

My main roles include supporting hardware development and testing, assisting with automation and tooling, working with cross-functional teams, and contributing to projects that improve reliability, usability and efficiency of engineering workflows.

One project I worked on involved developing and improving internal tools to automate test setup and configuration, making bench setups more consistent and reducing manual errors. I also assisted with hardware-related testing and documentation efforts that helped streamline workflows for engineers and technicians.

These projects were primarily designed to support enterprise computing and infrastructure development. While the tools and testing work I contributed to were internal-facing, they directly support hardware platforms that are used across many industries, including health care, finance, cloud computing, government and research.

My team ��. work fits into a much larger system at IBM, where every part of the supply chain, from hardware design and manufacturing to testing, integration, and deployment, plays a critical role in delivering reliable systems. Each team contributes a piece that ensures these platforms can meet the needs of a wide range of industries and use cases.

By improving test automation, configuration consistency, and documentation, the work helps ensure that hardware systems are reliable, scalable, and ready for deployment in environments where downtime or errors can have serious consequences. In that sense, the impact extends beyond a single field and supports industries that rely on high-performance, dependable computing systems to operate critical applications.

The projects also supported engineering and technical teams directly, helping them work more efficiently and accurately, which ultimately improves the quality of the systems delivered to customers across these industries.

What do you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoy most is working on meaningful, real-world problems alongside experienced engineers. I appreciate being trusted with responsibility and having the opportunity to learn how large-scale systems are designed, tested and maintained in an industry environment.

What is challenging about your internship, and how do you face those challenges?

The most challenging aspect is the complexity of the systems and the steep learning curve that comes with enterprise-level hardware and software integration.

I face these challenges by asking questions, seeking feedback, reviewing documentation and breaking problems down into manageable pieces. I’ve learned to be persistent and proactive when troubleshooting.

How will your courses and experiences at Stout help you make an impact in your career?

�� . hands-on, applied learning approach has been especially valuable. Courses in software development, databases, and web programming, along with project-based assignments, have prepared me to work on real systems.

Projects where I designed full applications from backend to frontend stand out the most, as they closely mirror the work I’ve done during my internship.

A strong example of this preparation is my capstone project, Rock the Wall, which I completed the semester before starting my internship. Rock the Wall is a full-stack, web-based route management system designed for the Stout Adventures Rock Climbing Wall. The application was created to replace a manual Excel-based process used to track climbing routes and employee hours, which was time-consuming, error-prone and difficult to manage collaboratively.

The application serves multiple end users. Climbers can view currently set routes, track their progress, see leaderboards and climbing rankings, and leave feedback on routes. Employees can add, edit, or retire routes and log their setting hours, while managers have additional administrative tools to manage user roles and oversee wall activity. The system was built using JavaScript and PrimeVue for the frontend, Firebase for authentication, PostgreSQL for the database and GitHub for version control.

Designing Rock the Wall required me to think critically about user roles, data modeling, authentication, and usability, skills that directly transferred to my internship work. Building a complete application from backend to frontend gave me confidence working on production-level systems and reinforced the importance of clean architecture, collaboration and user-centered design. This experience has been foundational in helping me contribute meaningfully in a professional software development setting.

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Computer science senior hired as a hardware developer before graduation Amber Kuhn, IBM internship

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Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

giffeyt — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learninggiffeyt January 29, 2026

M.S. applied computer science student finds workplaces experience aligns with coursework

Tom Giffey

A yearlong business intelligence internship at Royal Credit Union, one of Wisconsin ��. largest financial institutions, has helped a �� applied computer science graduate student gain confidence and skill in both data engineering and machine learning.

“It ��. been a fun experience. I’m really grateful,” said Justin George, who expects to receive his M.S. applied computer science degree in May. “This internship has been the best part of my Stout experience so far.”

George began his business intelligence internship last May at the Eau Claire-based financial institution, which serves 330,000 members through 28 branches in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Now in its third semester, George ��. internship has provided an opportunity for him to apply what he ��. learned through his degree program at Wisconsin ��. ��.

Professor Keith Wojciechowski of �� . Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science, who encouraged George to pursue the internship, praised the graduate student for seizing the opportunity and making it a successful experience.

“One of the things that we emphasized and that he was very eager to do was to get an internship where he could apply those skills and learn on the job,” Wojciechowski said.

Lou Heimstead, Royal ��. business intelligence and analytics manager, supervises �� student Justin George during his internship.

Student ��. work makes business data visual

�� . M.S. applied computer science program provides professionals in a wide range of occupations a pathway to deepen their knowledge, skills and experience with computer systems that automate tasks, analyze data and create new workflows. Through the program, George has been able to focus on topics that interest him, such as data visualization and machine learning, both of which have played a role in his Royal internship.

Lou Heimstead, business intelligence and analytics manager at Royal, said George has been fully integrated into her team and its work. “He ��. not doing isolated intern tasks,” Heimstead said. “He ��. been learning and applying the same processes that our business intelligence analysts and data engineers use.”

And as George has continued to demonstrate his skills, the scope of the internship has expanded into the realm of machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence in which algorithms are used to find patterns in data to make predictions without explicit programming.

“What he has added is the capacity to bring in his technical skills that align closely with what he ��. been studying at ��, specifically data science and machine learning,” Heimstead explained. “With that background, he ��. been able to contribute to more technical work that would otherwise compete for my senior analyst ��. time. So rather than replacing existing work, he ��. actually been expanding what the team can realistically take on, especially in areas requiring stronger programming, modeling and data science skills.”

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

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Expanding machine learning applications

Last summer, four undergraduates — including two from �� — took part in a machine learning internship at Royal. They focused on writing software to dive into Royal ��. data and address two issues: The first was studying the factors that could lead members to leave the credit union, while the second aimed to determine a “next best product” that might interest an existing member. After the undergraduates’ internship ended last summer, George was asked to continue working with the machine learning-powered software models they built.

“It was not part of my job description, but since I was interested, they were happy to give me the opportunity to work on machine learning,” he said. As a result, George continues to hone his machine learning skills, while Royal continues to benefit from what the previous interns helped build.

Graduate student Justin George, at far right, in a �� Advanced Machine Learning class.

In fact, Heimstead said, George has enhanced and unified the multiple machine learning models into a single model for each issue. His work ensures the solution remains both usable and valuable. That continuity helps Royal keep the work ready to build on in the future.

George said the �� master ��. program offers a sharp contrast to his bachelor ��. degree experience. “Here I get the exposure of practical training and working on projects. There are so many internship opportunities, and they are directly aligned with my academics,” George said.

“I feel like the professors are very helpful,” he continued. “They are always making sure you are getting practical exposure. It ��. not just theory. That ��. something I like about Stout.”

Wojciechowski is impressed by George ��. hard work and adaptability in the Royal internship. “He ��. out there in the world solving problems,” Wojciechowski said.

Not only has George been able to tackle the tasks he was originally hired for, but he ��. been able to grow his skill set, too. “He ��. been able to adapt and evolve at Royal,” Wojciechowski said. “I think that speaks very well for him.”

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Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

giffeyt — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Uniongiffeyt January 26, 2026

Computer science students from ��, UWEC, UWRF exercise ‘exceptional’ AI acumen for leading financial institution

Tom Giffey

Three Universities of Wisconsin campuses partnered with Royal Credit Union to launch an innovative internship program using AI to support this Wisconsin-based financial institution. This story is one of four in a series showcasing the impact of this collaboration. Read more about the faculty who supported the internship, how the partnership supported the state's economic development and how the collaboration originated.

Computer science students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses leveraged their knowledge of machine learning to address real-world questions for one of the state ��. largest credit unions in a unique internship program.

Four students — two from ��, one from UW-Eau Claire and one from UW-River Falls — honed their professional skills through internships with Royal Credit Union ��. AI Innovation Lab last summer. The internship was a pilot program to help Royal implement machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence in which algorithms are used to find patterns in data to make predictions without explicit programming.

Chris Meyer, Royal ��. vice president of IT Innovation and Efficiency, said such partnerships with the Universities of Wisconsin provide “immeasurable” value for the credit union, which serves 330,000 members in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.

“This particular program brought about an opportunity for us to try some new, innovative ideas without the risks of derailing existing strategic projects or core work that were going on with our existing teams,” Meyer said.

Royal Credit Union interns, left to right, Paige Keller of UW-Eau Claire, Mariah Waslie of UW-River Falls, Emmett Jaakkola of �� and Matthew Peplinski of ��. / Submitted photo

“The interns we worked with from ��, UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire absolutely exceeded our expectations,” he continued. “Not only did they bring exceptional skills immediately out of school into the workforce, but they brought a perspective that we don’t always see — a younger perspective in how to approach some of the projects we’re looking at.”

The student interns were Matthew Peplinski and Emmett Jaakkola of ��, Paige Keller of UW-Eau Claire, and Mariah Waslie of UW-River Falls.

“We got to fully make our own data set, run all these machine learning models, analyze the results, present them, double check our own processes, and lay out a foundation for the company. It ��. amazing what we could do as interns,” said Peplinski, of Milwaukee, who graduated in December with a B.S. in applied mathematics and computer science.

“We were the catalyst to all machine learning that Royal was delving into,” explained Jaakkola, of St. Paul, who graduated in December with degrees in both computer science and applied math and computer science.

Matthew Peplinski works on his laptop in an Advanced Machine Learning course at ��.

Leveraging students’ talents

Interns were recruited from the computer science programs at the three universities, all of which are within Royal ��. geographic footprint. Once the interns began working in June at the Royal Credit Union Corporate Center in Eau Claire, the students began brainstorming how they could apply their machine learning acumen to the financial institution.

Keller, a UW-Eau Claire senior from Crystal Lake, Illinois, majoring in computer science, was excited by the opportunity, which allowed the students to come up with their own use cases for machine learning. “It ��. almost like we were in the driver ��. seat as the interns, which was what I loved most about the experience,” Keller said.

For the first few weeks of the internship, the students delved into Royal ��. databases, learning what data was available, creating queries to gather it, and determining how it could be used to make projections.

Working with interns from multiple universities enhanced the experience because of the students’ varied experiences and curriculums, Keller said. “We all helped each other. We all asked each other questions,” Keller said. “We ran into the same roadblocks a lot of times, and so we had to come together and brainstorm. Having that experience from different backgrounds was very useful in coming up with different ideas.”

For example, Waslie — a UW-River Falls senior from Maiden Rock pursing a double major in computer science and data science — was adept at creating models with the programming language R, which the other interns had less experience with. Meanwhile, Peplinski used SQL to combine data and Python to develop models, while also bringing business skills to the table thanks to his �� minors in business and economics.

Universities of Wisconsin interns pose with Royal Credit Union employees Tad Carlson, far left, and Linda Kampa, far right. / Submitted photo

With the help of their team leader — Linda Kampa, a senior data engineer at Royal — the interns built a giant table set of more than 100 customer attributes, combining pieces of data from multiple sources. Once all this data had been gathered, the team tried to use it to predict members’ future behavior.

“Building out our own data set was a pretty astounding part of the internship, something that is pretty unique,” Peplinski said. His �� classmate, Jaakkola, agreed: “Working with a large database like that, it would be hard to get that experience without actually doing it.”

Over the course of the summer, the interns focused on two main classification problems. The first was to determine which factors indicated a member was about to leave the credit union: For example, was it when their balances reached a certain amount, or perhaps when a loan had been paid off? The second aimed to determine a “next best product” that would interest an existing member, similar to how a streaming service algorithm might recommend a new TV series.

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Jaakkola said he was well-prepared by his �� machine learning coursework to tackle problems for Royal. “I think the foundation we had from our classes really made it possible,” he said. Nonetheless, he added, the tasks were more complex: For example, while the queries he wrote for class might have included roughly 10 lines of code, some he wrote for Royal were as long as 1,000 lines.

The interns worked with managers from many of the credit union ��. departments, strengthening their communications skills in frequent meetings and presentations. Part of the project ��. goal, Peplinski said, was to create confidence that machine learning could supplement these managers’ own business intuitions.

Peplinski said the experience also helped him hone his technical communication skills. “In the same way that when you’re building machine learning models you iterate and make it better every iteration, I felt we also got better over time communicating results,” he said.

Emmett Jaakkola, right, in an Advanced Machine Learning course at ��.

Learning workforce skills

Professor Keith Wojciechowski of �� . Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science, commended Royal Credit Union for putting trust in student interns to create algorithms for the financial institution. “This is like being part of a real research and development team,” Wojciechowski said.

Professor Keith Wojciechowski

During the course on the internship, Wojciechowski and faculty members from UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire met twice with the interns and the Royal Credit Union team, once in the middle of the summer and once at the end for a final showcase of their work.

“Not only are we impressed with their ability to solve the problems, but by their ability to present and work in a professional environment,” Wojciechowski said of the interns. “That ��. also a very important skill that they eventually have to learn.”

Kampa, the senior data engineer who worked side by side with the students, said part of the goal of the internship was to determine if Royal is ready to build machine learning models in-house. The interns, she said, were well-positioned to pursue the project.

“They came in with fresh ideas,” Kampa said. “None of them had a lot of financial background, but it was nice to have that clean slate. There were no preconceived notions of how something should work. It really led to a lot of unique and fresh perspectives, unbiased solutions and the recommendations that they made.”

Kampa said the interns arrived with excellent technical skills and absorbed new abilities quickly. The team experienced numerous “lightbulb moments” throughout the summer, she said.

“Early on in the internship, we were meeting to discuss what type of data we would be including to feed into the models,” Kampa recalled. “The idea that we were working through was really a complex concept to understand right away. We met a few times, we worked through some examples and did some whiteboard drawings, and to see the look on their faces when it clicked was really a rewarding experience for both me and the interns.”

Both businesses and students benefit from these collaborations, Kampa added. “Having the interns participate was a win-win for both Royal and the interns, because we got things up and running more quickly with their expertise from all the classes they’ve taken, and it gave the interns a chance to see what it ��. like to work in a business setting,” she said.

Having Universities of Wisconsin campuses nearby creates a talent pipeline for the credit union as well as other organizations in the region, added Meyer, Royal ��. vice president of IT Innovation and Efficiency. “The opportunity to work with faculty, who are experts in their areas, and students who are learning from them is something unique that we would not be able to do if we didn’t have those universities in our backyard,” he said. “And the opportunity to do that means that we can provide new value to our members, growing our organization in a way that would have been impossible without the universities’ presence.”

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AI reshaping industry: Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive models

goersab — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:48:14 +0000

AI reshaping industry: Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive modelsgoersab January 22, 2026

Projects result in innovative way to search course bulletin, play digital Othello board game

Abbey Goers

�� . 360-degree AI education approach prepares graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce by embedding artificial intelligence training in all of its degree programs. For two groups of applied mathematics and computer science students in an Advanced Machine Learning course, their final projects resulted in a model that could actively impact their institution and another that created a highly competitive AI opponent for a classic board game.

One group built a RAG model – or Retrieval Augmented Generation – to allow students to search the �� course bulletin in a much more engaging way. Another created a digital version of the board game Othello, using a Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) and a database of top international players to train the model.

Matthew Peplinski presents on the group Stout Bulletin RAG project.

“The motivation of the class is for students to pick up a cutting-edge paper, read it, understand it and implement it. Five years from now, when they are in their careers, they’ll know how to read a tech-heavy math paper and translate it into code,” said AMCS Program Director, Professor Seth Dutter. “These are the types of top-tier projects I look to give my students. The experience sets them apart. That ��. polytechnic and gets to the point of ��.”

The Stout Bulletin RAG

In developing their group project, Tyler Smith, of Rochester; Matthew Peplinski, of Milwaukee; Aaron King, of Rhinelander; and Kyler Nikolai, of Rochester, wanted to create an easy way to gather information about �� . courses, degree programs, minors and certifications without having to read through the entire course bulletin.

“We created the Stout Bulletin RAG, which can take any question someone has about Stout ��. courses and programs and give them accurate information back within a couple of seconds,” Smith said. “A new student could use the program when applying to Stout to find out what classes and programs are offered, or a current student could use it when scheduling their classes for the next semester. The program actively uses ChatGPT to curate a response that provides the necessary information in a nice way. It also gives ChatGPT more specific information because the data is directly from the current Stout bulletin, so there will be no mistakes in finding old or irrelevant information.”

The group demonstrates the Stout Bulletin RAG in a final project presentation.

A RAG model allows the user to describe what they are looking for in sentence form, rather than just by using a single word search. The model consists of three parts, Smith explained: the prompt, the retrieval of data and the response from a LLM, or large language model. The prompt is what the user, like a student, asks the model. The model then searches through the stored data and finds what sentences, paragraphs or documents of text are most similar to the question asked.

“This is determined by an embedding model, which, in short, is a specific model trained to find similarities between text using a vector space,” he said. “The RAG then retrieves the top results of the most similar text and throws it into a new prompt. This prompt has all the details of the question asked, the information retrieved, and any rules in place, so when the model gets an LLM, like ChatGPT, to summarize the information, the LLM will not make up information it does not have.”

Peplinski added that the point of the RAG is to leverage existing LLM models’ reasoning capabilities, utilizing information that it was not trained on. “We used two different AI models in the process, one for the text embedding and one for the summarization,” he said. “The embedding model was used to determine how similar a user ��. question is to the information available in our data set. We then pulled the top five most similar bits of information and sent that to the LLM, or ChatGPT, in our case. The LLM was used only to give the summary of the information that we provided it and given strict instruction to not make up false information.”

An example of a response generated by the Stout Bulletin RAG. / Tyler Smith

Peplinski and Smith thought the best part of the project was seeing how thorough their RAG model was during the final class presentation, as it nearly flawlessly answered prompts and challenges given by attendees.

The most challenging part was gathering all of �� . program information and automating the data collection process so they would not have to write it out manually.

Smith will graduate this spring and will begin work at Federated Insurance this summer. He feels the project helped prepare him for industry, as many companies already use internal chatbots to search documents. “They are very likely using similar RAG model structures to what we created. So, going into industry with that knowledge is helpful,” he said.

Dutter agreed, adding, “Companies would benefit from employees who know how to code a RAG. It ��. a useful skill to help a company that wants to be able to search for information within its sometimes decades worth of documents.”

Othello AI project

In four days, Nathan LaCrosse, of Portage; Noah Stitgen, of Lodi; Jake Swanson, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Lindsey Redepenning, of Elk River, Minnesota, programmed their digital Othello version from scratch, creating an interface and teaching the AI model parameters of play, how to capture an opponent ��. piece, and conditions to win the game. Over the next two weeks of the project, they optimized the game to make the most challenging, hyper-aggressive AI opponent they could.

Download their game at GitHub.

Nathan LaCrosse presents on the group Othello AI project.

LaCrosse originally wanted to select chess for the group ��. project, but they decided on Othello, as it ��. a simpler board game that ��. easy to watch and play. Also, unlike checkers, Othello cannot end in a draw.

The group used an MCTS, a lightning-fast algorithm used in AI for decision-making processes, particularly in games, to develop their model. It simulated 3,500 Othello games per second. “When the MCTS evaluates a board position, it plays out a bunch of random games and picks the move that statistically leads to a win,” LaCrosse said.

They were challenged by the tree search to make sure it worked properly. “We actually discovered that we had programmed the game incorrectly because the algorithm was finding glitched moves that gave it an unfair advantage,” LaCrosse said.

An example of opponents' positions in the AI board game of Othello. / Nathan LaCrosse

They later added a neural network to the tree search that studied a database of top French Othello players. They used the database to train the network.

The group enjoyed playing against all the variations of gameplay the model allowed. In the published version, they selected the tree search that had the most unique playstyle, LaCrosse said.

“This project prepared us for industry because it familiarized us with the process of creating a full application, where we had everyone working on different elements of the program and combined it all together in the end,” said LaCrosse, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science.

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University: University of California at Berkeley

Degree: B.S. Mathematics

University: University of California at Davis

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�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry event

giffeyt — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry eventgiffeyt December 9, 2025

PC game ��. win highlights �� . globally ranked program

Tom Giffey

The creators of a computer game about a doomed submarine had a real-life sinking feeling last May as the date of the Stout Game Expo (SGX) approached. After months of work on the claustrophobic, cooperative game Dread Not, the team of 15 University of Wisconsin-Stout students were facing problems with their code which had broken an otherwise polished game.

It was a stressful situation, recalled Ryan Thiede, the game ��. art manager and original pitch creator. Not only was the game a capstone project for these soon-to-be graduates, but it was scheduled to be shared with hundreds of attendees at SGX, the region ��. largest game expo.

Fortunately, what Thiede described as “late-night heroics” from lead coder Ben Rowan and gameplay coder Jacob Richardt got the two-player networked game working, and it went on to win two awards, Audience Choice and Best Art, at the spring event.

“It ��. a crazy story, but it says something for the tenacity and drive from the people on the team,” added Thiede, who graduated in May with a degree in game design and development-art. “We went from an unplayable game to an award-winning capstone project, essentially, overnight.”

Six months later, the Dread Not team received more accolades, winning the award for best student entry at M+DEV, the largest game industry conference in the Midwest, which drew 1,500 attendees to Madison Nov. 7-8 and featured two days of expert-led panels and speakers, game showcases, workshops and networking. M+DEV served as a platform for the creativity, skill and scholarship generated by �� . globally and nationally ranked game design program.

At least 90 M+DEV attendees were either current students, alumni or faculty of ��. These included two faculty members and three alumni who made presentations and several dozen alumni who exhibited games, including three teams of recent graduates who shared recent capstone projects: Dread Not as well as Tubular!! and Mega Dimension Ripper 9000.

The latest student-built games will be ready for players at the fall semester SGX, which will run 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Great Hall of Memorial Student Center on the �� campus.

Visitors play Dread Not, a game created in a �� game design capstone course, at the spring 2025 Stout Game Expo (SGX).

Expo showcases top-ranked program

M+DEV, which is organized annually by the Wisconsin Games Alliance, bills itself as “the hub for indie and AAA developers, industry professionals, students and casual gamers.” The event ��. sponsors include ��, whose undergraduate game design program is ranked No. 5 in the Midwest and No. 24 in the world by Princeton Review.

Unique among public universities in Wisconsin, �� offers bachelor ��. degrees in both the art and science of gaming: namely the B.F.A. game design and development-art and the B.S. computer science (game design and development concentration). Graduate students in the M.F.A. design program also can choose a game design focus.

�� is also home to the new B.S. game and media studies program, the only game-oriented media studies program in Wisconsin. The university also offers an esports coaching minor and was the first public university in Wisconsin to launch a varsity esports program.

M+DEV provides a valuable opportunity for the �� students, faculty and alumni to connect with each other and the game development community at large while gaining visibility for their projects, said Professor Andrew Williams.

Professor Andrew Williams

“Anytime you can get people to interact with your work, you are reaching your intended audience, and you learn how to improve your craft,” Williams said. “Game development is an incremental process and the more opportunities you have to talk with your players and build that community around your project, the better!”

Williams, whose game art has previously won awards at M+DEV, returned this year as a speaker. His presentation — evocatively titled “Building the Plane While Flying It: The Rapid Development of an AI-Powered Educational Game Series” — highlighted how a company he works with, immersionED, is using AI to create engaging history content for elementary through high school students. Through roleplaying as fictional historical characters in 70 scenarios, students can develop their historical thinking skills, Williams said.

“In the industry, AI use is highly varied as there is no ‘standard practice’ yet since we are just learning how it could be beneficial to speeding up workflows,” Williams said. “We may be moving into a new phase of its use as the industry is starting to understand it is not a solution to every problem.”

Other M+DEV presenters included Michael Tetzlaff, assistant professor of computer science, and �� alumni Jacob Schwitzer, B.S. computer science (game design & development concentration); Sam Baeseman, B.F.A. game design & development-art; and Mary Benetti, B.F.A. game design & development-art.

Benetti, graduated in 2021 and worked for four years at Field Day Lab, a digital learning game studio in Madison. At M+DEV, she delivered a presentation about how to create game art that looks beautiful even on computers and VR devices with lower technical specifications.

Benetti developed an interest in educational games during her �� coursework, which also gave her an understanding of the entire pipeline of a game project, from concept to release.

“I always felt a strong sense of community with the Stout game program, whether you're a current student or alumni,” she said. “The program also has a very motivated and positive set of faculty that push students to keep growing their skills, and M+DEV is the place to do it.”

She continued: “M+DEV provides a space to connect with like-minded creatives, be inspired by unique game projects, and learn about game skills and the industry through presentations. It ��. incredibly encouraging to see all the amazing projects underway in the Midwest too — there is a lot of talent in the area. The value of M+DEV has remained as strong as it was when I was a student. I go there to learn, grow and connect.”

In the game Dread Not, players must cooperate to survive in a sinking submarine. / Contributed image

Winning game an ‘intense experience’

Thiede, who now works as a 3D artist for Las Vegas-based Game Breakdown, conceived the idea that became Dread Not as a capstone project and pitched it to his fellow students last year. His goal was to create something that could be enjoyed by players of all ages — including people who don’t consider themselves “gamers” — and that fostered collaboration.

“It was a project that was meant to immerse and connect two people through an intense 10-minute experience,” Thiede said. The two players, a pilot and a mechanic, must cooperate quickly and effectively to solve multiple problems — namely dwindling oxygen levels and an angry sea monster — and reach the surface before their submarine ��. oxygen runs out.

And just as the game players must cooperate to succeed, so did the 15 �� students who created the game. At the helm was Sarah Ziebarth, who as the game ��. producer kept the project on schedule, balancing the team ��. workload while also completing her own lighting design and project marketing responsibilities.

Ziebarth, who graduated in May with dual majors in game design and development-art and computer science, praised how the students cooperated over the course of two semesters to overcome obstacles, add features and optimize the game.

“The game design and development program at Stout has always done an exceptional job of making sure both sides of development (art and computer science) work together in multiple classes throughout their college careers and thus learn the important skills of teamwork and communication,” Ziebarth said.

Thiede agreed, adding that �� . program allowed him to explore many different paths in the game design field. “The layout of courses grants you time to experiment to see what you like, as well as plunge deep into what you may choose to focus on: 2D art, 3D art, VFX, lighting, animation, technical art, etc.,” he said. “All are possible at Stout.”

Thiede said he was pleasantly surprised when, while chatting with industry friends at M+DEV, he was suddenly whisked to the stage to receive an award for Dread Not.

“Genuinely, I pictured my career to be filled with people telling me what to do, and me just doing it,” he reflected. “I never imagined having an idea of mine make it this far. The reason it has is because of the people I worked with at Stout — the professors, but more importantly, my teammates.”

Professor Seth Berrier, far left, and Associate Professor Kim Loken, far right, stand with some of the �� alumni who created Dread Not at the M+DEV conference in Madison. / Submitted photo

Associate Professor Kim Loken, who was co-instructor for the capstone course alongside Professor Seth Berrier, praised the Dread Not team for their success.

“Unlike the held-together-by-duct-tape world of their game, this team was high-performing and well-organized with clear goals, excellent communication and exceptional craft,” Loken said. “Their networked game, damage system and puzzle design challenged the programmers, and the artists excelled with a rigorously researched and realized 3D environment, enriched by a diegetic backstory and wry character details. We’re proud of the continued commitment they’ve shown to their work, polishing it over the summer for a Steam release and continuing to exhibit their work for direct engagement with players.”

Since its June release on Steam, the largest digital distribution platform for PC games, Dread Not has been downloaded more than 250,000 times.

Other members of the Dread Not team included B.F.A. game design and development-art majors Zach Adler, Eleanor Berg, Gabe Anderson, Elaine Kelling, Samuel Lambert, Ben Moon, and Jon Wolfe, and B.S. computer science majors Guinness Bruce, Graham Higdon, Victor Mondragon, Nathan Morgan-Shimmin, Jacob Richardt, and Ben Rowan. The team also collaborated with 11 students from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, who contributed original music, sound effects and voice talent.

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Hero Caption: �� game design alumni celebrate their winning game, Dread Not, at November's M+DEV game conference in Madison. / Submitted photo

Kim Loken

Kim Loken's industry experience spans civic, commercial, and residential projects. Her approach to each is further informed by a storytelling mindset cultivated in work for film and theater. In her prior architecture practice, she helmed a variety of adaptive reuse, historic preservation and new construction projects. More recent work focuses on the use of games as systems for analyzing complex problems, particularly those related to environmental issues. Teaching invigorates her practice and provides the opportunity to mentor young designers in a variety of disciplines.

Teaching Interests: Design thinking, interdisciplinary design, large-scale collaborative projects

Research Interests: Phenomenology, narrative-driven design

Professional Interests: Place-making, critical regionalism, cultural history and adaptive re-use

Full Name: Kim Loken

Job Title: Associate Professor / Program Director / Minor Advisor

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Area of Expertise: Architecture Systems Design

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Degree: M.Arch.

University: University of Texas at Austin

Degree: Licensed Architect

Degree: LEED-Accredited Professional

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Seth Berrier

Seth earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2012 where he worked with Professor Meyer in the disciplines of computer graphics and visualization. He also holds a B.A. in Music from the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University in Indianapolis. He is a classically trained tenor and an active participant in community theater in and around the Chippewa Valley.

Teaching Interests: Introductory programming courses, data structures and algorithms, software engineering, and computer graphics.

Research Interests: Seth is interested in using the visual power of graphics and visualization to bridge the pure technical disciplines of math and computer science with design and the arts. He has interests in design disciplines ranging from architecture to fashion and game design and seeks to develop new tools that enable the creative processes in these fields. He is also interested in advancing the primitive world of music visualization through the disciplines of formal music theory and form and analysis. In computer science, he is most interested in image based rendering and light field acquisition, photogrammetry and light fields for digital heritage, real-time photo-realistic rendering with graphics hardware and high-level shading languages.

Full Name: Dr. Seth F. Berrier

Job Title: Professor / Program Director

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Area of Expertise: Computer Graphics Real-time 3D Rendering Game Design Design Process Photogrammetry Light-field Rendering Web Programming Software Engineering

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Seth F. Berrier CV (128.16 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.S. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: B.A. Music

University: Butler University

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Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcases

goersab — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:23:57 +0000

Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcasesgoersab December 8, 2025

Students design custom controllers for unique racing games, puzzles, AR experiences

Abbey Goers

An Aesop ��. fables-inspired racing game, a haunted hotel and a futuristic repair shop are all on the menu for players at the Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin ��. largest game developers’ event, featuring the creative works of about 250 University of Wisconsin-Stout students. SGX is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.

Come play games — from cozy tabletop experiences to intense 3D races and multiplayer competitions — all created by first-year to senior students in game design and development-art and the game design concentration in computer science, as well as M.F.A. in design students. All digital games will be available to play online after Dec. 10.

Students in the Exploratory Game Design courses, taught by Karl Koehle and Michael Tetzlaff, are exploring unique gaming experiences, including alternate controllers for their games:

AES-RACE: A cooperative four-player racing game based loosely on Aesop ��. fable “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
Hazard Hotel: A single-player puzzle game, in which a character is directed through an old, haunted hotel with the goal of repairing it.
Retro Repair: An augmented reality (AR) experience, where players repair gaming consoles in a futuristic, cutting-edge, zero-gravity workshop.
Clean Break: A comical two-player game, where one is a dinner plate trying to roll to the dishwasher, and the other, Mr. Ferguson, a crazy old man with a broom, tries to smash it.
Stars & Spurs: A playful shape-drawing adventure, where players control characters in a child-like imaginary play scene by drawing shapes and gestures into a Wacom digital drawing tablet.

Koehle teaches game design-art in the School of Art & Design, and Tetzlaff teaches game design-computer science in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management. Students work in teams, collaborating across degrees to develop their games.

“Michael and I had a collaborative teaching effort,” Koehle said. “Our classes were scheduled to meet during the same time, allowing us to provide critique and insights to each other ��. teams and assist students based on our own disciplines throughout the semester.”

The instructors selected the challenging design constraint to create unique gaming experiences, inspired by the novel interfaces and games on display at the “Alt+Control GDC” exhibit at the international Game Developers Conference.

Also running this week are the STEMM Student Expo from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall and ballrooms. Explore 300-plus STEMM students’ research in more than 100 projects across a dozen fields of study. The event is coordinated by the Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning class.

The School of Art & Design Senior Show will feature capstone projects by more than 100 seniors from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. SOAD students will display their creative works in exhibits throughout Applied Arts and Micheels Hall.

AES-RACE

In Aes-Race, players race against each other as turtles and rabbits in three-wheel rickshaw tuk-tuk vehicles. Aiden Rogowski and Aidan Musil developed the physical steering controllers out of wood, PVC, microcontrollers and sensors. Caleb Budde led the racetrack development by programming tools to quickly revise the course design.

Two teams of two compete to complete three laps. Each team has a driver who steers, collects items, and performs tricks and drifts for speed boosters, while the saboteur places obstacles – like an exploding glue bottle – to hinder opponents and clear their own path. The game features custom controllers and takes place within five main levels – Funky Forest, Silly Swamp, Dizzy Desert, Whimsical Winter and Forest Mixed Tape.

Rogowski constructed the steering controllers at home – painted green for the tortoise team and pink for the rabbit team. They resemble bicycle handles, which turn via a caster swivel joint. A small sensor measures rotations processed by a microcontroller hidden beneath that updates player movements on screen.

Artists include Odessa Barreyro, who proposed the game idea, and KC Caron and Jess Haapoja. Programmers also include Jack Decker and Max Mike. The team collaborated on audio design with students at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Hazard Hotel

The development of the Hazard Hotel controller was led by Zak Suhajda, whose role was interface design, electronics and programming. Spencer Betchey was one of the programmers assembling the scenes and programmed interactions among the team.

To repair the haunted Hazard Hotel, the player acts as “The New Guy,” using an electrical switchboard to divert power and activate machinery as they slowly work their way to the top of the hotel.

“What makes this game unique is that the interface resembles a wire switchboard – think of an old-time telephone operator – to power the doors, elevator, lights, etc., in the video game environment,” Koehle said.

Suhajda ��. idea for the switchboard came about while working with Arduino controllers. “I wanted to create something simple, something that my dad would like to play,” he said.

Artists include Ben Musser, Antonio Garcia and Gregg Hammel, who created 2D and 3D art and puzzles. Programming was done by Donovan Hecimovich, Thomas Stolz and Sam Schreiter. The concept for the puzzle game was based on elements of four game ideas developed by the team earlier in the semester.

Retro Repair

Chloe Ferguson, an M.F.A. in design student, is the lead developer of the augmented reality experience, Retro Repair. The game focuses on the theme of “Right to Repair,” which gives consumers the legal right to freely maintain, repair, or modify their own products, such as automobiles, electronics and farm equipment, instead of having the original manufacturer provide repair service.

In this AR space, the player is a repair technician from the future, who uses tools to repair old, proprietary consoles. Tools at their disposal are a screwdriver, heat torch and wire cutters. They repair each console around the proprietary restrictions in their AR workshop.

Developers also include Connor Donnelly and Alex Lietha. The team mimicked the shape and feel of old consoles as well as an arcade-inspired color theme to give a nostalgic sense to their futuristic game.

“This is a collaborative process, a project based on teamwork,” Ferguson emphasized. “As a master ��. in design student, I can concentrate on the artistic aspects, while working with Connor and Alex, who are more versed in programming.”

Ferguson and Donnelly have both participated in the “Right to Repair” in a sense. Ferguson enjoys the creative freedom of building custom desktop computers, and Donnelly has adapted consoles and charging ports to suit his preferences. “The frustration we felt with some devices helped inform our design of our game. We can help to make things more accessible,” Donnelly said.

Stars & Spurs developers include artists Sam Kiewel, Seth Shaw and Jackson Hinshaw. Programmers Kara Defoe, Andrew Jones, Jasper Knutson, Iris Parke and Onyx Severin.

Clean Break! developers include artists Justin Bonelli, Maddie Honaker, Madi Moseng and Ethan Skoog. Programmers are Jack Belcher, Alex Tlougan, Riley Gaetz, Devon Russin and Dani Matthiesen.

�� . game design and animation lab spaces include a state-of-the-art Vicon Motion Capture Studio, along with many other labs, studios and galleries.

�� . School of Art & Design is one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest. It offers bachelor ��. degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design. �� also has a new program in game and media studies.

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January 29, 2026

Students design custom controllers for unique racing games, puzzles, AR experiences Game design, AES-RACE

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Karl Koehle

Prior to ��, Karl worked over a decade producing animated video exhibits for use in trial. Cases included a variety of topics such as accident reconstruction, patent infringement, product liability, & demonstrative medical processes. He also devoted many years to athlete development as an alpine snowboard racing coach.

Karl joined �� in 2015 as a Lecturer in the Game Design program, teaching design foundation and game design classes. In 2023, he completed his master ��. degree at ��, and accepted the position of Assistant Professor. His thesis focused on affective responses in non-conventional human-computer interactions. Exploring the concepts of delightful design resulted in the production of two functional prototypes with novel interactions.

Teaching interests:
Game Art, 3D modeling, pixel art, exploratory games, senior capstone, course development for student engagement,
interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentorship through custom projects. Advisor for the Casual Gaming Club

Research Interests:
Delightful design, engagement, constructivism, and learning through play.
Current projects include both analog and digital systems, alternate controls, and interactive designs that surprise and delight.

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Degree: M.F.A. Design

University: University of Wisconsin–Stout

Degree: B.S. Film & Video Production – Animation

University: Grand Valley State University

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Michael Tetzlaff

Michael Tetzlaff is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. He received his B.S. from Bethel University in St. Paul, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His research interests include image-based computer graphics techniques and especially their applications in cultural heritage. He is the lead developer of Kintsugi 3D, an open-source software project for empirically based rendering of 3D cultural heritage artifacts captured using photogrammetry.

Full Name: Michael Tetzlaff

Job Title: Assistant Professor

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Area of Expertise: Interactive Computer Graphics Photogrammetry User Experience Design Game Design and Development

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

Curriculum Vitae: Michael Tetzlaff CV (244.64 KB)

Website: Kintsugi 3D Project Website

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.S. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: B.S. Computer Science

University: Bethel University

Degree: B.A. Physics

University: Bethel University

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American Marketing Association student team wins second place in AcuRite competition

goersab — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:46:30 +0000

American Marketing Association student team wins second place in AcuRite competitiongoersab November 5, 2025

AMA Regional conference, competition prepare students for real-world marketing, sales careers

Abbey Goers

Two students from �� . American Marketing Association and Business Sales Team earned second place out of 17 colleges in the AcuRite Digital Marketing Strategy Competition at the 18th annual AMA Regional Conference on Oct. 17, at UW-Whitewater.

Gerishom Muholeza, a computer science senior from St. Paul, and Gavyn Schacher, a business administration junior from Minneapolis, were joined by 10 of their �� peers at the conference, themed Beyond the Brand: Marketing for the Next Generation.

Gerishom Muholeza and Gavyn Schacher / Pam Vaver

The event brought together students from varying degree programs — including business, sales and marketing, computer science, game design and development, and digital marketing technology — to compete in person, virtually and in hybrid formats. Participants showcased their skills in multiple competitions in marketing strategy, digital marketing, marketing design, perfect pitch and sales scenarios.

“The competition was a fun and thought-provoking assignment that made us think strategically, creatively and logically about how to market to different client personas,” Schacher said. “Our presentation featured a descriptive and in-depth look into each client persona and answered the question, ‘How can we, as AcuRite, sell our products through different approaches and channels?’ We are very grateful for the opportunity to compete and showcase our skills.”

AcuRite is a leading brand for home weather stations, smart environmental monitoring and connected devices.

�� . American Marketing Association and Business Sales Team members / Pam Vaver

Schacher, a transfer student, loves �� . hands-on approach to learning. “I do feel that has helped me get ready for this, my first competition,” he said. “I enjoyed the exposure to other schools and professional organizations, and I look forward to going back next year.”

Schacher enjoys learning all the different aspects of what goes into a business. “Learning an overall view, I feel like this has made me a better critical thinker, and it has given me actionable steps to accomplish when I am in the workforce,” he said.

Business Senior Lecturer Pam Vaver, AMA advisor, said, “Each student showcased exceptional professionalism, creativity and teamwork throughout the competition, demonstrating �� . strength in preparing students for real-world marketing and sales careers. Gerishom and Gavyn ��. outstanding performance highlights the dedication and talent of �� students. Congratulations to all the students for their hard work, achievement and continued excellence in representing �� at the regional level.”

Additional students who participated were Haley Abrahams, Jordyn Chapman, Melanie Cops, Ella Jarchow, Hannah LaGesse, Sadie Liebelt, Laina Marcott, Helena Slabber, Peyton Wayne and Owen Whitney.

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American Marketing Association student team wins second place in AcuRite competition

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AMA Regional conference, competition prepare students for real-world marketing, sales careers Gerishom Muholeza and Gavyn Schacher

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Top 25 in the US: �� . cybersecurity program listed among nation ��. best

goersab — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:52:45 +0000

Top 25 in the US: �� . cybersecurity program listed among nation ��. bestgoersab August 25, 2025

B.S. in cybersecurity recognized for accessibility, affordability, career-focused mission

Abbey Goers

�� . Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity was named a Top 25 Best Value Cybersecurity Degree Bachelor ��. Program in the U.S. by Programs.com.

The only institution in Wisconsin listed, No. 22-ranked �� . cybersecurity program stands out for its exceptional educational quality and strong return on investment for students. The Programs.com recognition reflects �� . commitment to offering a rigorous and respected cybersecurity education that remains accessible, affordable, practical and career-focused.

The program is recognized as a Cisco Certified Networking Academy, an AWS Certified Academy, and a Microsoft Certified IT Academy. Real-world lab experiences and courses are taught by faculty members with advanced IT industry credentials.

“Being recognized among the nation ��. top cybersecurity programs is an honor that reflects the dedication of our students and faculty. This recognition reinforces our commitment to applied, hands-on education that makes a real difference for our students,” said Holly Yuan, program director of B.S. cybersecurity and B.S. computer networking and infrastructure engineering and founding director of �� . Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center, which promotes cybersecurity research, education and workforce needs for the state of Wisconsin.

Cybersecurity Research & Outreach Center (CyROC)

��'s Cybersecurity Research & Outreach Center is leading cybersecurity research, education and workforce needs in Wisconsin.

“Generative AI is reshaping cybersecurity – both as a threat and as a defense. At ��, our Cyber@Stout Student Club is collaborating with faculty to build our first AI-powered cyber range and Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges focused on the security of large language models. These innovations ensure our students stay ahead of emerging trends and graduate prepared to meet the evolving needs of Wisconsin ��. workforce and beyond,” Yuan added.

The Cyber@Stout team won first place at the 2025 Wisconsin Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and placed second overall across Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri in January. This year, the team is focusing on red-team strategies, including finding vulnerabilities in cloud environments and Generative AI large language models.

"We are now a member of the Palo Alto Networks Academy, thanks to the support of one of our advisory board members, who is a vice president at Palo Alto and helped us build this connection. This partnership further strengthens our students’ access to world-class cybersecurity training resources,” Yuan said.

�� has the most technology and engineering graduates of any school north of Madison. From engineering to communication and counseling, manufacturing, marketing and design, construction, supply chain and more, �� is preparing graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce by embedding AI training in all of its degree programs. �� . AI Fellows, centers, and services collaborate with community, business and industry partners to help Wisconsin leverage AI-driven solutions that put it ahead of the curve.

Programs.com works to connect students with programs that combine quality, reputation, and real-world value, whether they’re launching a new career or advancing in their field.

Cybersecurity degree, internships underscore ��'s renewed designation as national cybersecurity center

National Security Agency recognition goes through 2028; students receive paid internships as Career Services grows industry partnerships

National Center for Cyber Defense

All programs on the Top 25 list are designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency and/or the Department of Homeland Security.

�� is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity for Cyber Defense through the 2028 academic year. In 2017, �� was the first four-year university in the state to receive this designation, a standard that only about 4% of schools in the United States earn.

The computer networking and infrastructure engineering program is the only such program in the state to receive the National Center of Academic Excellence Program of Study honor. Along with the cybersecurity and CNIE majors, �� has programs in computer science and applied mathematics and computer science.

“The CAE-CD designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students. It highlights our commitment to excellence in cyber defense education and positions �� as a leader in cybersecurity education. We’re all very proud of this achievement,” Yuan said.

Preparing students for cybersecurity careers

For leading the way in cybersecurity and for her outstanding educational contributions to the industry, Yuan received the Visionary Academic Leadership Award at the Cyber Security Summit last fall. She has integrated courses, including Application of Generative AI in Cybersecurity, to engage students in cutting-edge research involving cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing.

Cybersecurity program director receives national Visionary Academic Leadership Award

Yuan recognized for ‘pushing the envelope’ to train next generation at Cyber Security Summit

“AI can be leveraged to enhance cybersecurity controls and processes, helping our students stay ahead of emerging trends. In the field of cybersecurity, generative AI is quickly becoming a tool for both defensive and offensive measures. We’re focused on integrating these aspects into our curriculum to ensure our students are well-equipped to address challenges,” Yuan said.

With �� . focus on applied learning, Yuan believes graduates are equipped not just with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills through internships, capstone projects and industry certifications, ensuring they will be successful in their careers, she said.

“Holly regularly keeps up with people in the industry to ensure that the program is up-to-date, and the employers are happy with Stout graduates. She supports the students in a variety of ways, encouraging employers to hire Stout students throughout the semester, giving students hands-on work experience before they graduate,” said Owen Pryga, cybersecurity senior and president of the university ��. Collegiate Cyber Defense League.

Addressing Wisconsin ��. cybersecurity and AI needs

�� created ACCESS – the AI-Powered Cloud Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and Education Support System – with the aid of a $124,555 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy.

Granted ACCESS: $125K award will improve cybersecurity in U.S. Defense supply chain

In the U.S., 50% of small- and medium-size manufacturers lack basic cybersecurity controls. It ��. a concern for companies that work with the Defense Department.

The DoD program helps businesses guard against cybersecurity threats and requires defense supply chain partners that handle sensitive unclassified information to meet stringent cybersecurity standards.

The certificate program strengthens career opportunities and industry workforce readiness for �� cybersecurity and CNIE majors, prospective students and professionals in the field.

In spring 2023, �� received a $298,771 cybersecurity internship grant to address Wisconsin ��. workforce and infrastructure needs. The Fast Forward grant is from the state Department of Workforce Development and Universities of Wisconsin.

It provides paid industry internships to students enrolled in cybersecurity-related programs, where they apply skills learned in their labs and courses to work on real-world projects for employers looking to make their organization, services, products and data more secure.

More than 30 companies have partnered with �� . Career Services through the DWD internship program to recruit students.

Student leadership in AI

AI Student Club members are helping to lead a community of learners and enthusiasts who are passionate about artificial intelligence. They are involved in applied learning activities both on and off campus and work to support �� . goal of a 360-degree AI education approach.

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

‘Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary.’

AI Student Club members won first place at the 2024 DigiKey DKC3 Coding Competition last fall, defeating 20 teams from 11 Midwest universities. The club ��. goals are to collaborate with university partners such as K-12 schools, two-year colleges and industry partners to develop hands-on AI applications in areas such as electronic vehicles, vision inspections, community services and more.

“The club plays an important role in embedding AI in every curriculum by exploring the diverse potential of AI across different disciplines because club members come from different majors,” said engineering and technology Assistant Professor Yuan Xing, club advisor.

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Program has earned national credentials, international reach during its first four years

March 2, 2026

Inspiring Graduate: Owen Pryga, B.S. Cybersecurity

Hired before graduation as Heartland Business Systems consulting engineer

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Top 25 in the US: �� . cybersecurity program listed among nation ��. best

B.S. in cybersecurity recognized for accessibility, affordability, career-focused mission

August 25, 2025

B.S. in cybersecurity recognized for accessibility, affordability, career-focused mission holly_yuan_and_cnit_students.jpg

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B.S. Cybersecurity

Our B.S. Cybersecurity program offers the theoretical and practical training to pursue critical certifications in Cyber Ops, CCNA, AWS, and CEH.

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AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

goersab — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +0000

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programsgoersab March 3, 2025

‘Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary.’

Abbey Goers

From engineering to communication and counseling, manufacturing, marketing and design, construction, supply chain and more, �� is preparing graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce by embedding AI training in all of its degree programs.

And its comprehensive approach to AI literacy is more than program curriculums – Wisconsin ��. �� is collaborating with community, business and industry partners through its innovation centers, consulting services, continuing education courses and regional consortiums to help Wisconsin leverage AI-driven solutions that put it ahead of the curve.

Faculty, staff and students alike are leading the charge, including computer and electrical engineering seniors and AI Student Club members Corey Hedlund and Michael Witt.

Hedlund, the club president, and Witt, club secretary, are leading a community of learners and enthusiasts who are passionate about artificial intelligence. The club also works to support �� . goal of a 360-degree AI education approach.

Artificial Intelligence at ��

Explore how �� is leading AI innovation with hands-on research, industry partnerships, and real-world solutions.

“AI consists of a number of skill sets. Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary,” said engineering and technology Assistant Professor Yuan Xing, AI Club adviser.

“The impact of AI is very obvious across industries and daily life. Some disciplines are even completely revolutionized. So, teaching all students AI knowledge and skills can help them be well prepared for the job market. This aligns perfectly with �� . career-focused and real-world experience education goals, helping all graduates stay competitive and adaptable in their future careers,” he added.

Hedlund and Witt joined Provost Glendalí Rodríguez recently in a presentation on “AI In Action: Advancing the Universities of Wisconsin,” led by the UW Education Committee at the Board of Regents meeting, Feb. 6-7.

Student leadership in AI

By teaching AI through hands-on, easy-to-follow activities – no AI background needed – the AI Student Club allows any student to learn, regardless of their major. It also holds AI seminars on trends and research, with student and industry speakers.

AI Student Club members won first place in the 2024 DigiKey competition / Ahmet Turkmen

Club members are heavily involved in applied learning activities both on and off campus. Hedlund, Witt, and club members Jack Lonn and Steven Kronmiller won first place at the 2024 DigiKey DKC3 Coding Competition last fall. Supervised by Xing and Professor Ahmet Turkmen, the team defeated 20 teams from 11 Midwest universities. In 2023, the team won second place in the competition.

The club helped prepare and demonstrate innovative AI to Gov. Tony Evers when he visited campus last spring. They attended an AI presentation conducted by �� and UW-River Falls faculty last fall. Read more about the faculty ��. cross-disciplinary research below.

The club ��. future goals include collaborating with university partners such as K-12 schools, two-year colleges and industry partners to develop hands-on AI applications in areas such as electronic vehicles, vision inspections, community services and more.

Faculty awarded for AI research

The university ��. AI Fellows and AI Innovation Committee are led by faculty and staff, who ensure AI is embedded into learning, operations and innovation, and who direct AI integration, governance, ethics and literacy.

Faculty research impacts students' experiences, and experts across degree fields have been awarded for pushing AI research forward.

"Our interdisciplinary AI Fellows, supported by the 2023-25 Workforce Development funding, exemplify our dedication to integrating AI into every aspect of our academic offerings,” said Professor Keith Wojciechowski, program director of M.S. applied mathematics and data science. Fellows’ research includes:

Food and nutrition Professor Kerry Peterson is advancing AI-related academic programming in health care professions, with specific courses on healthy eating and the art and science of food.
Engineering Professor Anne Schmitz is integrating a commercially available AI chatbot into a hybrid Machine Components course.
Graphic design Professor Nagesh Shinde, collaborating with Library Director Roxanne Backowski, is developing an Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Lab in the University Library.

Cybersecurity program director receives national Visionary Academic Leadership Award

Yuan recognized for ‘pushing the envelope’ to train next generation at Cyber Security Summit

For leading the way in cybersecurity and for her outstanding educational contributions to the industry, B.S. cybersecurity and B.S. computer networking and infrastructure engineering Program Director Holly Yuan received the Visionary Academic Leadership Award at the 14th annual Cyber Security Summit last fall. She has integrated courses, including Application of Generative AI in Cybersecurity, to engage students in cutting-edge research involving cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing.

Future of farming in Wisconsin: Professors design customized, energy-efficient, low-cost technology

Social science, engineering project for precision agriculture funded by Universities of Wisconsin

Marriage and family therapy Assistant Professor Heather Hessel received the Carl Whitaker Award from the Wisconsin Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in December for advancing AI integration with therapy.

Professors in a cross-disciplinary engineering/social science project, A HumanCentered Collaborative Approach to Designing an Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Network, are developing customized, energy-efficient, low-cost technology for precision agriculture to meet the needs of Wisconsin farmers.

The team is led by Xing and applied social science Program Director Tina Lee and includes �� engineering professors Cheng Liu and Abhishek Verma, and UW-River Falls Professor Bob Zhiwei Zeng.

Their project includes several aspects: a ground wireless sensor network, machinery for automation, livestock monitoring and drone data collection to help farmers make informed decisions based on real-time and historical data. They demonstrated the prototypes and machinery at Mann Valley Farm in River Falls. The project is funded by a two-year, $175,000 Universities of Wisconsin Innovation Grant.

Xing is also studying AI related to the packaging of fruit. With his system, an automated guided vehicle in a warehouse would bring fruit to a vision sensor, an AI algorithm would determine freshness, and the vehicle would then separate the good fruit for packaging.

Schmitz is conducting sustainable manufacturing research on mesostructures, or 3D-printed internal lattices that absorb energy and reduce material use. Her research uses AI to fine-tune mesostructure design for maximum energy absorption and lighter, more efficient products.

Design for Industry students create kindergartners’ ideal toys through AI rapid prototyping

Collaboration with St. Paul ��. School introduces children to engineering; completed toys gifted to school

In engineering technology Professor Kevin Dietsche ��. Design for Industry course, his students joined kindergartners from St. Paul ��. School of Menomonie for a toy design project using AI rapid prototyping. Their toy ideas ranged from vehicles to a magic spell-casting kit, animals, dolls, action figures and more.

Faculty, centers supporting statewide industry

Professor David Ding, director of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, serves on the Governor ��. Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence. Ding brings an important voice to the task force, representing higher education in western Wisconsin, giving a different perspective than members from the Milwaukee and Madison areas.

“As a polytechnic university, we operate differently. It ��. important for the Department of Workforce Development to hear our side, know our strategic planning and see how we serve our partners, students and community,” Ding said.

“Stout offers a very unique way to transfer AI knowledge, skillsets and technologies. We help organizations hire and train employees to create highly skilled teams. This meets the task force ��. goal perfectly,” he added. “We also seek external grants to serve students – especially in rural areas – to give them access to AI technology, equipment and courses. Stout serves to fill this cup, supporting a pathway to develop the state ��. workforce.”

Next gen manufacturing: New CAM-AI will leverage resources to support industry in Wisconsin

Small and midsize manufacturers in Wisconsin and Minnesota have a new resource — and ally — in their quest for growth and success.

�� . Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence was formed in fall 2024. CAM-AI, partnering with the university ��. Manufacturing Outreach Center, delivers comprehensive, proven solutions through consulting, training and workforce development for small and midsize manufacturers in Wisconsin and Minnesota

“��'s ability to supply expertise to address practical problems is what distinguishes us as a polytechnic university, and CAM-AI will be the entity through which this expertise can be made available to industry,” said Seth Hudson, executive director of the Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement.

The Central Wisconsin AI Center is a collaboration between ��, UW-Stevens Point, Northcentral Technical College, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce and the Midpoint Consulting Group. CWAIC is an initiative focused on the adoption of AI through workforce training and industry integration across central and northcentral Wisconsin.

It serves as a hub for AI education, business development and workforce transformation, and is poised as a catalyst for regional economic development through training programs, K-12 educational pathways and industry-specific AI solutions.

Granted ACCESS: $125K award will improve cybersecurity in U.S. Defense supply chain

In the U.S., 50% of small- and medium-size manufacturers lack basic cybersecurity controls. It ��. a concern for companies that work with the Defense Department.

The U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy awarded �� a 12-month, $124,555 federal grant to create ACCESS — the AI-Powered Cloud CMMC and Education Support System – to help businesses guard against cybersecurity threats.

The online bachelor's in automation leadership gives students skills in smart manufacturing. The only degree of its kind, it is a gateway to leadership in Industry 4.0 and is designed for technical and community college students who have an associate degree and incorporates training in SACA — the Smart Automation Certification Alliance. An AI course for educators offers a foundational course on generative AI prompt writing.

Learn how to engage with ��.

Advancing the community through AI literacy

�� . AI Integration Technologist Emily Laird collaborates to support campuswide and community efforts in AI integration, engaging industry leaders, educators and policymakers in discussions on the changing role of AI in business, education and society.

“AI literacy is no longer optional; it ��. essential to everyone,” Laird said. “AI is real-time reshaping every industry, from education and health care to business and the arts.”

PHOTO ESSAY: The Building Blocks of Robotics

Discover what engineering students are programming in automation

Laird leads AI Weekly meetups on Wednesdays to explore the world of artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence and unpack the latest breakthroughs and debate dilemmas through open discussion that touches on ethics, safety and the fundamental question of what it means to be human in an AI-driven world.

The meetups are open to the community and alumni. From novice to expert, everyone is welcome. Recent topics focused on AI Safety, including the European Union's AI Act, Meta's Frontier AI Framework, the International AI Safety Report and more.

“We encourage everyone to attend because AI isn’t just for tech experts; it ��. for everyone. Whether you’re curious, concerned, or eager to explore its possibilities, these meetups are designed to help you navigate the opportunities and challenges AI presents,” Laird said.

“AI literacy is the new digital literacy, and staying informed is so important in this new AI ‘Wild West.’ That ��. why we welcome anyone interested in learning, questioning and growing alongside a community of learners.”

Laird has presented at the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce Skill Booster Series and nationally on the impacts of generative AI and the advancements of AI in search and information summarization, known as generative engine optimization.

“This will greatly impact fields like web managing, marketing, user experience and content development. My research and presentation help folks prepare for a new reality and to start thinking about how we design content that gets picked up by AI,” she said.

“��'s comprehensive approach to AI integration is central to preparing all students for a technology-driven future. Through strategic collaborations across campus, with alumni and industry partners, we are setting a new standard for AI literacy and workforce readiness.”

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Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes

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‘Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary.’ digikey_competition_first_place_2024.jpg

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Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

polingj — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 14:38:04 +0000

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Beanpolingj October 24, 2024

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin funds industry research project led by professors

Story by Heidi Jeter
Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

How much water does it take to grow 100 pounds of kidney beans? Most people wouldn’t think to ask such as question — but if you are a family business competing on a global scale, the answer matters.

“This information will allow kidney bean growers in Wisconsin to better target their irrigation practices to reduce strain on the state ��. freshwater resources as well as boost yields and prices for Wisconsin farmers,” says Charles Wachsmuth, vice president of Chippewa Valley Bean.

Wisconsin-based Chippewa Valley Bean is the largest processor and exporter of kidney beans in the world. The company prides itself on innovation, and it has created a unique partnership with faculty at �� to gain cutting-edge research and development.

�� student Lindsey Redepenning works in a Chippewa Valley Bean field on a weather station that was developed as part of the Crop Per Drop project. / Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

“I recently went to a global conference in Italy, and nobody is doing the research we are doing around crops and water and packaging sustainability,” Wachsmuth says.

That innovative research directly involves undergraduate students, thanks to funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. Through the Crop Per Drop project, students trained by Professor Keith Wojciechowski, are developing and testing mathematical models to help kidney bean farmers use water more efficiently.

The project exemplifies how companies can partner with university faculty and students to create a win-win situation. Students get hands-on experience, and the company gets staffing resources and innovative research.

Lindsey Redepenning helps set up one of the weather stations. / Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

The first round of Freshwater Collaborative funding, in 2022, allowed Wojciechowski to hire three students to work on mathematical models that help farmers optimize water use for growing kidney beans.

With the most recent round of funding, the collaborative team installed five weather stations in farm fields. The stations collected real-time data that measured sunlight, soil moisture, wind speed and direction, and rain.

Wojciechowski says the project gives students majoring in computer science or applied math skills beyond using and developing software.

�� professors Saleh Alnaeli, foreground, and Keith Wojciechowski help set up one of the Crop Per Drop weather stations at Chippewa Valley Bean. / Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

“There ��. huge benefit to seeing how software you build will be used in the field,” he says. “They get to see all the ways the software needs to be stable and viable — and how software works differently in an office than in real time out in the field.”

Lindsey Redepenning, of Elk River, Minn., an applied mathematics and computer science major, helped install the weather stations last summer and now she ��. analyzing the data that was collected. The goal is to enhance the mathematical models to allow farmers to see how various scenarios will affect yield. This will help them adjust their agricultural practices in response to real situations.

Redepenning says she gained a wide range of skills that will help her in her future career. One of the most important was learning how to communicate mathematical concepts to people without a math background. She also learned hands-on skills like how to rewire a circuit board, modify a weather station, restart a wi-fi hotspot and recharge batteries.

“Some days were spent out in a field setting up weather stations and others were spent behind a computer screen writing code,” she says. “No two days were alike, and this kept the work interesting and exciting.”

The weather stations and models could be expanded in the future for use with other crops or to look at other factors that affect crops, such as disease and weeds.

The Crops Per Drop project has also opened the door to other industry-academic partnerships. Chippewa Valley Bean has connected Wojciechowski to other companies who may have similar R&D needs. When Chippewa Valley Bean wanted to use more sustainable bags to hold its beans, Wojciechowski introduced them to �� faculty who could work on packaging ideas.

“We are greatly appreciative of the strong university system in Wisconsin and the access it gives us to new and cutting-edge research that we wouldn’t be able to self-fund,” Wachsmuth says. “If we want to keep agribusiness in Wisconsin strong, we must show continued support for our specialty crop growers and processors.”

###

How much water does it take to grow 100 pounds of kidney beans? Most people wouldn’t think to ask such as question — but if you are a family business competing Crop per drop 1

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Crop Per Drop project will use data science to dig into sandy soil irrigation issues

Chippewa Valley Bean, of Dunn County, is the world ��. largest producer of dark red kidney beans.

Hero Caption: Kidney beans growing this summer in a Chippewa Valley Bean field. / Photo by Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

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Royal Credit Union internship gives �������� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

Student ��������. work makes business data visual

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

Expanding machine learning applications

M.S. Applied Computer Science

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

Leveraging students’ talents

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Learning workforce skills

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�������� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��������. biggest game industry event

Expo showcases top-ranked program

Winning game an ‘intense experience’

B.F.A. Game Design & Development - Art

B.S. Computer Science (Game Design & Development Concentration)

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American Marketing Association student team wins second place in AcuRite competition

B.S. Business Administration

Top 25 in the US: �������� ��������. cybersecurity program listed among nation ��������. best

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National Center for Cyber Defense

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Granted ACCESS: $125K award will improve cybersecurity in U.S. Defense supply chain

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AI, fully integrated: �������� ��������. 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

B.S. Cybersecurity

AI, fully integrated: �������� ��������. 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

Artificial Intelligence at ��������

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Faculty awarded for AI research

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Granted ACCESS: $125K award will improve cybersecurity in U.S. Defense supply chain

Advancing the community through AI literacy

PHOTO ESSAY: The Building Blocks of Robotics

Artificial Intelligence at ��������

Crop Per Drop: �������� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

Crop Per Drop project will use data science to dig into sandy soil irrigation issues

Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

Student ��. work makes business data visual

�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry event

Top 25 in the US: �� . cybersecurity program listed among nation ��. best

Cybersecurity degree, internships underscore ��'s renewed designation as national cybersecurity center

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AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

Artificial Intelligence at ��

Artificial Intelligence at ��

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean