UW-Madison ECE

A strong showing for WiscWind at this year’s Collegiate Wind Competition.

A team of University of Wisconsin–Madison students earned second place overall and took first in the project development contest, presenting to industry judges and testing their turbine during the three day event in Vallejo, California.

The team includes students from across disciplines, including electrical and computer engineering, whose work on the turbine’s generator and electrical system was critical throughout the competition. When technical challenges arose in the wind tunnel, team members collaborated to diagnose issues and make real time adjustments that allowed them to continue competing.

Competitions like this highlight the value of hands on, interdisciplinary experiences that broaden the student journey and prepare students for impactful careers.

UW-Madison College of Engineering

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WiscWind team places second in Collegiate Wind Competition - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison A team of students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison won second place in the 2026 Collegiate Wind Competition and took first in the project development portion of the contest. Students...

Congratulations to Line Roald, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UW–Madison, on receiving the Distinguished Faculty & Staff Postdoc Mentoring Award from the UW–Madison Postdoctoral Association.

This recognition reflects the profound impact of her mentorship, both in advancing research excellence and in supporting the professional and personal growth of postdoctoral scholars. As shared by Research Associate Wenqian Jiang, her guidance goes far beyond the lab, combining deep expertise, thoughtful leadership, and a genuine commitment to the success of others.

To learn more about Roald and see the full list of awardees:
https://grad.wisc.edu/2026/05/26/postdoc-excellence-awards-highlight-outstanding-postdocs-and-faculty-mentors/

UW-Madison College of Engineering

Barry Van Veen, the Lynn H. Matthias Professor Emeritus in electrical and computer engineering, was formally recognized for receiving the IEEE Signal Processing Society Carl Friedrich Gauss Education Award.

The award honors educators who have made pioneering and significant contributions to signal processing education. Van Veen’s impact includes advancing active-learning approaches in the classroom, mentoring generations of students, and strengthening graduate and online programs within the department. His broader reach includes teaching AI and machine learning courses and sharing knowledge through his All Signal Processing YouTube channel.

The award was presented at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing in Barcelona, Spain.
Read the original announcement:
https://engineering.wisc.edu/blog/barry-van-veen-earns-ieee-signal-processing-society-education-award/

New data from UW–Madison highlights a meaningful shift in college affordability. About two-thirds of undergraduates are now graduating debt free, up from roughly half a decade ago, thanks to expanded financial aid, donor support, and programs such as Bucky’s Tuition Promise and Bucky's Pell Pathway.

This article from The Cap Times describes how the effort is a strong example of how targeted investment and early financial clarity can open doors for students.

How two-thirds of Badgers graduate from UW-Madison debt free Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s flagship public university has increased how many undergraduates earn degrees without student loan debt.

Congratulations to the 2026 UW-Madison College of Engineering Graduate Student Mentoring Award recipients. The college recently recognized 25 faculty, postdocs, and graduate student mentors for their outstanding contributions to mentorship and for fostering a strong sense of belonging across the community.

Special recognition to ECE Associate Professor Dominic Gross, who received an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Department Success Support. His leadership in ECE graduate student recruiting and admissions has strengthened outcomes for incoming students and ECE research efforts. According to ECE Professor Susan Hagness, "Professor Gross has expertly juggled this important role in support of our entire graduate student research training mission while continuing to grow his research program, investing in the progress and wellbeing of his PhD students, and sustaining his excellence as a teacher and mentor.”

College recognizes graduate mentoring excellence - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison The College of Engineering recognized 25 faculty, postdocs and graduate student mentors at the second annual Graduate Student Mentoring Awards reception on May 14, 2026. The awards recognize faculty, postdocs...

A familiar leader is stepping into a new role in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor Parmesh Ramanathan will serve as interim chair of ECE for one year, bringing more than 35 years of research, teaching and leadership experience to the position. Ramanathan previously served as department chair from 2005 to 2009 and most recently was associate dean for graduate education in the Graduate School from 2017 to 2024.

Please join us in welcoming Professor Ramanathan back to this leadership role as the department continues its strong tradition of excellence in education, research and service.

Full story: https://engineering.wisc.edu/blog/ramanathan-named-ece-interim-chair/
UW-Madison College of Engineering

Ramanathan named ECE Interim Chair - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison welcomes a familiar and accomplished leader to serve as interim department chair. Effective May 25, 2026, Vilas Distinguished...

Did you see that UW–Madison was recognized once again as a “New Ivy” by Forbes, named among the top 20 universities in the U.S. preparing graduates for the future of work?

What stands out this year is the emphasis on artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping hiring priorities. Employers are increasingly valuing graduates who bring intellectual rigor, adaptability, and the visionary creativity to work effectively with AI tools.

ECE's continued investment in this space is clear. From the new certificate (minor) in Applications of AI in Engineering to the growth of our ECE faculty and student population, we are building on our strong foundation.

UW–Madison again named a ‘new Ivy’ by Forbes The university was selected as one of the best in the country at "preparing and graduating the talent" that meets today's workforce needs.

Bold challenges require bold focus. In a new message from Dean Devesh Ranjan, the UW-Madison College of Engineering has outlined six Engineering Moonshots designed to tackle some of society’s most urgent challenges, including limitless distributed power, practical quantum technologies, AI-powered precision health, critical resource security, and sustainable food systems.

These ambitions build on strengths already thriving across the college, including in Electrical and Computer Engineering, where faculty, researchers and students are advancing breakthroughs in areas including energy systems, AI, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.

As Ranjan writes, progress at this scale demands collaboration, sustained investment and a clear sense of purpose. ECE is proud to lead the discoveries, partnerships and innovations that will shape the next decade and beyond.

Six Engineering Moonshots, one direction - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison Our College of Engineering Moonshots: six bold, defining transdisciplinary efforts that set our direction and concentrate our strengths.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping engineering, and students are asking how their education will prepare them to use these tools effectively.

The UW-Madison College of Engineering is addressing that with a new Certificate in Applications of AI in Engineering, launching in fall 2026. The program combines foundational knowledge, practical skills, and ethical considerations to prepare students for real-world applications.

Dean Devesh Ranjan notes, “This certificate is about giving our students fluency with AI tools while grounding them in the critical thinking, ethics and human judgment that technology can’t replace.”

Open to undergraduate students across the college, the certificate includes interdisciplinary coursework and a hands-on experience such as a capstone, co-op, research, or advanced AI study.

Students can declare the certificate beginning in June 2026.

New certificate builds engineers who work with AI, not around it - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison Amanda Smith knows the question is coming. At just about every admitted student info session at the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering these days, it’s only a matter of time before a prospective student...