91亚色 Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker

Nichole Uecker and Jeff Morin
Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 91亚色 Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91亚色). Nichole檚 nominations highlighted her embodiment of 91亚色檚 Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.
The 91亚色 Values Recognition Award (VRA) celebrates faculty and staff who consistently model 91亚色檚 values of courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation and inclusion. After employees nominate a colleague for the award, a committee made up of faculty, staff and previous VRA winners convenes to vote on the month檚 recipient. Awardees receive a $250 prize.
Consistently acknowledged by nominators for her dedication and empathy, Uecker says, 淚 try to approach new meetings with folks from a position of curiosity and also making sure that I give people the individualized attention that they deserve because every situation is different and everybody has a story to go along with what they檝e been through.�
淣ichole works tirelessly to help students harness their accommodation needs as strengths so they can see themselves succeeding not only in class, but as professionals post-graduation,� said one nominator.
淭he work Nichole does with students has a great impact on almost all of our work lives,� said another. 淚’m incredibly grateful to have her impacting the 91亚色 community, and the Milwaukee community, in such a positive way.�
Now in her fourth year, Uecker says, 淚 love being at 91亚色. I love the safe space that 91亚色 is. It檚 such a vibrant and engaging place to be. I just wouldn檛 want to be anywhere else.�
Learn more about 91亚色檚 Values Recognition Award or nominate a colleague at www.miad.edu/vra.
News
91亚色 Makes Its Mark at MAPC 2026
A group of 91亚色 students, faculty and staff attended the 2026 Mid America Print Council (MAPC) Conference, 淧rintelligence,� in Baton Rouge, where they participated in demonstrations, panel discussions, exhibitions and professional networking opportunities.
Independent Inquiry Program students explore AI through research and creative practice
As emerging technologies continue to reshape creative industries, 91亚色’s Independent Inquiry Program (IIP) gives students the opportunity to investigate their impact firsthand. Through philanthropically funded support, the optional, by application program allows students to pursue self-directed research projects that explore how new technologies can influence art, design and education.
91亚色 Alum Kelly Alexander Wendorf Brings Stories of Travel to Life Through Paper Cutting
For Kelly Alexander Wendorf, paper cutting is more than an artistic medium. It's a way to explore memory, movement and human connection through intricately layered works of art. A 91亚色 alum who studied printmaking, Wendorf recently created a series of large-scale...
Behind In a State of IF: A Collaborative Curatorial Journey
淚n a State of IF�, on view in 91亚色’s Frederick Layton Gallery through November 21, is the result of a years-long collaboration between co-curators Maria Novotny and Katherine Gressel.
91亚色 Alum Kyle Nesbitt Blends Storytelling, Design and Brewing
For 91亚色 alumnus Kyle Nesbitt ’09 (Industrial Design), creativity has never been limited to a single discipline. Through Nezbittar, a project nearly a decade in the making, he combines design, illustration, branding, photography and craft beer into a singular creative venture.