The Institute for Water Business
As the world's clean freshwater resources become more scarce, business organizations must prepare for the risks posed by growing competition for clean water, the threat of water contamination, and rising water-related costs. The Institute for Water Business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is the first of its kind in the United States, created for the purpose of developing water business acumen and capacity through education, research, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
A place for transdisciplinary action learning, research, and outreach, the Institute for Water Business seeks to engage, educate, and empower stakeholders to identify and successfully respond to regional, national, and international water business issues, challenges, and opportunities.
The Institute aims to:
- Educate individuals and organizations about emerging water business issues through symposia, conferences, courses, and academic programs
- Develop and support strong alliances between students, faculty, businesses, governments, and civil society groups, offering mutually beneficial opportunities for scholarly and applied research, internships, and post-graduation employment
- Provide real and virtual spaces in which individuals and organizations can exchange information, engage in dialogue, meet and collaborate to address freshwater challenges and opportunities
Integrated Science/Business BBA Major - Water Emphasis
UW-Whitewater offers an opportunity to enroll in a unique major that combines the excitement of science with business management expertise, giving students the skills needed to contribute to Wisconsin's leadership in the business and science of water. Students can complete the integrated science/business major through either the College of Business and Economics or the College of Letters and Sciences. Seniors will complete an independent research project with the personal attention of faculty mentors from both science and business, and will participate in an internship to apply classroom knowledge in a real world context. Information on the requirements specific to the Integrated Science and Business Major with Water Emphasis can be found in the Course Catalog.
Water Business Minor
The Water Business Minor offers business students the tools to gather and synthesize information from several disciplines, to formulate socially, ecologically and economically rational alternatives to water quality, quantity and availability issues, and to implement effectively a wide variety of water-based programs and initiatives. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students pursuing careers in water technology businesses, public and private organizations that manage water and land resources, private consulting companies that offer water management services, agencies that form or implement water-related policies, new ventures providing products and services pertaining to water and non-profit institutions that are interested in water resources. Information on the requirements specific to the Water Business Minor can be found in the Course Catalog.
The Institute for Water Business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
College of Business and Economics
Hyland Hall, Room 4302A
800 W. Main Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 472-5584
The Whitewater Water Council is a student organization launched in 2010. We work to create awareness of the importance of freshwater to our lives and economies and assist our parent organization, the Water Council, to advance southeastern Wisconsin's position as a world hub for water research, education, and economic development.
The Whitewater Water Council welcomes members of every major and interest throughout the University. We explore regional and national water issues and promote the vast opportunities in water business. Activities include bi-weekly meetings with industry experts, networking events, community service, and social outings.