News & Media

Regional University of Wisconsin schools second in national innovation impact productivity rankings

MADISON—The innovation impact of the 11 University of Wisconsin System regional institutions that WiSys serves, was ranked as one of the most productive in the nation by the George W. Bush Institute. 

In the institute’s report on the innovation impact of U.S. universities released in June 2020, UW-WiSys was second in the report’s Innovation Impact Productivity Rankings for smaller research universities.

The universities in the WiSys group include UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater. 

As a shared service, WiSys supports research, innovation and entrepreneurship at these comprehensive and primarily undergraduate universities.

“Wisconsinites should be proud of their regional public universities. Talented innovators and inventors can be found throughout Wisconsin and it is more important now, than ever, to support them,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “Newly-appointed head of the UW System, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, states the case when he says that ‘no other institution in the state can do more to improve lives, communities and Wisconsin’s economy.’" 

In addition to the accomplishment of ranking behind only Brigham Young University in the smaller research universities category, WiSys universities received a notable Innovation Impact Productivity Score in relation to its peers. WiSys universities received a score of 20.30, well above the category median of 5.13.

“The ranking and score shines a bright light on the exceptional talent at our UW regional comprehensive campuses. It represents the work of numerous faculty and student researchers, supportive university staff and administrators and university and system leaders throughout the state,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “Through collaboration and cooperation, we’re making our communities, state and nation a more innovative place.”

You can read the report, “The Innovation Impact of U.S. Universities” at bushcenter.org.

Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the George W. Bush Institute is an action oriented, nonpartisan, policy organization with the mission of developing leaders, advancing policy, and taking action to solve today’s most pressing challenges.

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.