A Kenosha-area Assembly representative has been selected to chair a state committee that will study the future of the Universities of Wisconsin.

Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, was named to chair the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the UW System, in late April. She along with 18 other members of the panel were confirmed late last month by a vote of the Joint Legislative Council.

The UW-System is made up of 13, four-year universities statewide.

In Kenosha County, Somers is home to the the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, which serves in students in Kenosha, Racine, and other Southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois communities. Other four-year campuses in Wisconsin are in Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Platteville, River Falls, Stevens Point and Menominee (UW-Stout).

The study committee has been directed to examine demographic trends affecting the University of Wisconsin System and evaluate institutional infrastructure needs based on geographic access, workforce planning, and student demand for specific areas of study.

The committee is also directed to review the administrative staff needs and governance structure of the UW System, including the Board of Regents.

In response to its findings, the committee will recommend potential legislation to modify current statutes to address the future plans for the University of Wisconsin System.

Four branch campuses have already closed this year, including UW-Green Bay Marinette, UW-Milwaukee at Washington County, UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac and UW-Platteville Richland. UW-Milwaukee’s Waukesha campus will close next year. A sixth campus in the Fox Cities, UW-Oshkosh Menasha announced last month it would also be shuttered next year.

The committee is made up of legislators and citizen members with particular knowledge or interest in the topic of study. Study committees will meet during the summer and fall of even-numbered years to give additional consideration to topics and draft proposals for potential consideration in the next legislative session.

In addition to Nedweski, the committee includes three members of the Legislature: Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, vice chair; Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton, and Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee.

Also comprising the study committee will be:

Robert Atwell, of Sturgeon Bay, co-founder of Nicolet Bankshares

Scott Beightol, of Wales, a partner in Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

William Hsu, of Wausau, president of Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises, Inc.

Cecelia Klingele, Madison, a professor of law at UW-Madison Law School

Jerome Lippert, of Marshfield, owner of Johoca LTD

Janice Mueller, of Madison, a retired state auditor in the Legislative Audit Bureau

S. Mark Tyler, of Woodville, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board

Kurt Bauer, of Middleton, president and CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Shauna Froelich, of Green Bay, an associate teaching professor in the Communication Department of UW-Green Bay

Peter Kies, of River Hills, managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co.

James Langdon, of DeForest, retired vice president for administration in the UW System

Betsy Morgan, of La Crosse, interim chancellor at UW-La Crosse

Ananth Seshadri, of Madison, professor of economics at UW-Madison

Robert Venable, of Mequon, president and CEO of Miami Corporation Management

“A sincere thank you to these citizens who are willing to share their time and bring their considerable experience and knowledge to the committee,” Nedweski said. Giving proper consideration to the future of the UW System is no small task, and I appreciate the opportunity this committee and its membership has to help lead the discussion and contemplate options.”