UW-Parkside Awarded National Science Foundation Grant to Strengthen Regional Innovation Partnerships and Community Engagement
KENOSHA, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin–Parkside has been awarded a competitive $399,765 grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Expanding Partnerships and Infrastructure for Impact and Capacity (EPIIC) program (Award# 2519848).
The three-year grant will support UW–Parkside’s participation in the Advancing Regional Innovation through Sustainable Engagement (ARISE) cohort, a national initiative designed to connect UW-Parkside faculty experts with regional needs, making it easier to access the University’s research capabilities and talent.
The Parkside ARISE project supports collaboration between the Office of Research Administration and Parkside Works to build the infrastructure and processes needed to better partner with private industry, support workforce development, and ultimately strengthen the region’s capacity for innovation. “This grant is a transformative opportunity for UW–Parkside to expand its role in the regional innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Theresa Castor, Vice Provost for Research and Administration and Principal Investigator for the project.
The ARISE project also benefits from the leadership of Steve (Rocky) Donovan, Executive Director of Parkside Works, the office for partnerships and workforce innovation—a centralized “front door” for businesses, nonprofits, government, and community organizations seeking collaboration with the university. A two-time UW–Parkside alumnus with over 30 years of experience in banking and business development, Donovan brings deep regional ties and a strong commitment to community impact. His role in the ARISE initiative focuses on aligning academic programs, continuing education, and applied research with workforce needs, helping to expand high-impact learning opportunities and drive regional economic growth.
The project leadership team also includes Dr. Bryan Lewis, Coordinator of Allied Health Partnerships, and Dr. Kaushik Ragothaman, Assistant Professor of Computer Science. Dr. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and brings over two decades of experience in health sciences education, program development, and student advising. His research interests span neuroscience, biophysics, and health leadership. Dr. Ragothaman holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems and specializes in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. His recent work includes developing access control policies using deep generative models and machine learning for smart technologies. Together, the team will guide the implementation of ARISE activities that support faculty development, applied research, and industry collaboration.
UW–Parkside’s ARISE efforts align with the university’s strategic priority to enhance regional economic and cultural vitality through business and industry partnerships. The ARISE initiative will directly benefit Southeast Wisconsin by strengthening the university’s ability to serve as a responsive partner to local industries and community organizations. The project also builds on UW-Parkside’s longstanding commitment to community engagement.
UW-Parkside is one of five universities comprising the ARISE initiative, along with Frostburg State University, Northern Virginia Community College, University of Texas Permian Basin, and University of West Florida.
For more information about UW–UW-Parkside’s ARISE initiative and its role in the NSF EPIIC program, please contact Dr. Theresa Castor at castor@uwp.edu.
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.
UW-Parkside University Relations