Sunday, February 16, 2025
The school has come under fire from the Wyoming Legislature over the past year for issues like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs on campus. Now, the school is launching a “Wyoming First” agenda for teacher education and putting more effort into actively promoting its Wyoming-focused programs.
UW President Ed Seidel told Cowboy State Daily the school’s top priority is trying to figure out how it can help advance the state.
“We are really trying to make a statement to the state that we’re here for the state,” Seidel said. “It’s very important to us that people understand that we’re here for the whole state, no matter where you’re from, and that means every student, every town, every organization across the state.”
Last year, the Legislature cut funding for the school’s DEI office. In response, the UW Board of Trustees cut the office while still retaining some of its services.
The school also initiated a working group study to explore how DEI was potentially being pursued in less obvious ways at the school.
“We went far beyond just closing that one office,” Seidel said. “What we’re trying to do is to make sure we’re merit-based in everything we do, in terms of admitting people and promoting people at the university, and that we still take care of our communities.”
Seidel said they did receive some pushback to these actions on campus, but the school has been making concerted efforts to prove to their student body they still care about them.
Both Seidel and Jenna Min Shim, dean of the UW College of Education, were at the state Capitol this week highlighting the school’s efforts.
Min Shim is now actively promoting her school’s “Wyoming First” agenda for teacher education, a series of projects that attempt to shape the present and future of the state, while continuing to show a deep respect for its values. Min Shim was named the permanent dean last March.
“My vision for the College of Education is to serve the people of Wyoming first and that’s where this ‘Wyoming First’ comes from,” she said, “and to contribute to the well-being of our citizens through education and also address unique opportunities.”
The school also recently spent $2 million for a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl celebrating Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen and his connection to the University of Wyoming.