Gov. Tony Evers appointed Dana Wachs, Jennifer Staton and Angela Adams to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents in place of the former appointees, whose terms ended Sunday.
“Our UW System is not only critical for bolstering our state’s workforce and economy, but it also provides opportunities for students from all walks of life to develop new skills and meet their potential,” Gov. Evers said in a statement.
Staton is one of the two UW students on the board, according to the May 4 press release. She is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a major in applied health sciences and with a pre-physician assistant concentration, along with a minor in biology and a certificate in community-based learning. Staton was also a combat medic while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“As a lifelong Wisconsinite, a proud veteran and a student within the UW System, I’m grateful to be receiving this appointment from Governor Evers to the Board of Regents. Non-traditional students have often been excluded from the decision-making table and left out of consideration, so I look forward to sharing my unique perspectives and uplifting the voices of my fellow non-traditional students throughout my time on the board,” Staton said.
Wachs began practicing law in 1985 and represented the 91st Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2013 to 2019. He served on the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, along with the State Building Commission that handles projects and construction of UW System buildings. Currently, he is a partner at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP in Madison.
“After many years advocating for the UW System in the Legislature, it is truly an honor to be appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Evers. Our UW System is the pride of this state, and I look forward to helping it flourish in this new role,” Wachs stated.
Adams is currently the chief communications and diversity officer of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, the release said. Adams worked with Ascension Wisconsin, Johnson Controls and Pfizer. She was the former board president of Professional Dimensions, a women’s professional association in the Milwaukee Area, as well.
“I am honored to accept this appointment by Governor Evers to serve on the Board of Regents helping to ensure young scholars and returning adult students who comprise the next generation of our workforce are prepared to guide us into a promising future,” Adams said.
If Gov. Evers does not win the next Gubernatorial election, the Republican-led senate could withdraw these appointments.
Ellie Bourdo is the features editor for The Daily Cardinal. Ellie previously served as associate news editor, where she specialized in breaking news and University of Wisconsin-System news reporting. She also works at WisPolitics. Follow Ellie on Twitter at @elliebourdo.
