The common thread
What could be mistaken for a random collection of unrelated disciplines actually represents the genius of human ecology: the ability to approach any topic from a human perspective — strengthening society by strengthening families, households, consumers and communities.
The next bold leader: Soyeon Shim
Robin Douthitt and Soyeon Shim had first crossed paths in the late 1990s at a higher education conference. Douthitt raised the idea that somewhere down the line, Shim might replace her in Madison.
But moving to Wisconsin was the furthest thing — professionally, and geographically — from Shim’s mind.
Born in South Korea, where a career-minded woman’s options were largely limited to teaching or nursing, what Shim really wanted was to be an entrepreneur. In 1990, she put those instincts to work as a professor of merchandising at the University of Arizona.
When asked to become a division chair, she saw it not simply as an administrative assignment, but as an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Her aim was nothing less than making the Tucson campus — though physically remote from the world’s centers of commerce — a national leader in the study of retailing.
Why not?
Shim recalled what naysayers said: “Retailing in Arizona? It’s Tucson. Who’d want to be a retail major here?” Her reply: “Why not? We have sunshine, we have an airport, and we have a great university. People will come.”
Shim’s most ambitious undertaking at Arizona was a building project achieved entirely through private financial support: McClelland Park, a $25 million home for the Norton School of Family and Consumer Science. A key donor in the project, John Norton, told the Tucson Citizen: “This used to be the homely home ec program when we were in school.”
“Soyeon came and built it into something powerful.”
— John Norton
Building on a strong foundation
When Shim arrived in Madison to interview for the Human Ecology dean role – with Douthitt’s ardent support – she was wowed by the one-of-a-kind building her predecessor and friend had made a reality.
“I’ve seen a lot of buildings. I built a building. This is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen in the nation and around the world. There’s nothing like it. How they renovated the old building and added a new dimension, the integration between the old and new, they made it so aesthetically pleasing. The attention to detail, the user experience, that was a focal point whether it was a space for faculty and staff or a space for students.”
— Dean Soyeon Shim
Facing new challenges
When Shim became dean of the School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison in August 2012, she didn’t need to build a new building. Nancy Nicholas Hall was there, waiting to make the most of it. All agreed, the building was magnificent. But storm clouds remained on the horizon.
Shim was facing other challenges that needed her bold leadership.
Some people still didn’t understand human ecology, and in tough budget times for state-funded public universities, small colleges and schools within universities found themselves at risk.
Fortunately, Shim was experienced in navigating financial challenges, facing budget cuts in 15 of her 22 years at Arizona.
Although not easy to do, Shim tried to frame cuts as an opportunity to work as a team to meet the challenge. “We’re going to have to do this in a very effective and economical way and look at it as an opportunity to grow. My first agenda was to bring people together,” she said.
Shim also faced a serious lack of what she called “human capital” within the school.
“The budget wasn’t there to support the mission. We had great programs and name value, great relevance, and physical assets. But we didn’t have enough students and we didn’t have enough faculty members. The biggest challenge was how to grow programs when you don’t have the funds or the people.”
— Dean Soyeon Shim
Shim focused on expanding the human capital needed for the school to thrive.
If Human Ecology was to attract more students, its human resource ranks, particularly its faculty and instructional staff, would have to increase. The majors in the school were highly desirable to students, but there were too few faculty who could provide instruction and conduct research in the school.
“People give to the School of Human Ecology because we’ve inspired them to believe in what is happening here and what we can accomplish together.” — Dean Soyeon Shim
Propelled by philanthropy
Since 2012, Human Ecology has added 22 endowed chairs, professorships, and faculty and graduate fellowships, aided by the success of the All Ways Forward campaign.
Bolstered by the philanthropy-supported positions, Human Ecology became highly successful in recruiting top-notch faculty – increasing tenure-track faculty by more than 50 percent in the past decade.
Shim has also been intentional about recruiting faculty who bring a focus on equity and diversity in their research fields.
Notable, too, is the number of Human Ecology faculty who also hold appointments with University of Wisconsin Extension, committed to ensuring what they are learning through research benefits people across Wisconsin and the world – the Wisconsin Idea in action.
An even better student experience
Human Ecology appeals to the desire of many of today’s students to improve lives and make a difference in the world.
“What I love most about Human Ecology is how everyone is committed to creating a better world through what they choose to study.”
— Walter Rowe, School of Human Ecology student
New introductory courses
Human Ecology has been called a “discovery school” in that students often discover it later in their college experiences. To attract students earlier, as freshman and sophomores, Human Ecology developed new introductory courses, such as “EcoYou" and "Financial Life Skills,” which are wildly popular with students across campus.
Experiential learning
The school also has expanded experiential learning opportunities for students, such as national conferences, study abroad programs, case competitions, and student organizations - all of which drive word of mouth buzz among students.
Reimagined curriculum and majors
Always nimble and responsive, Human Ecology does not hesitate to update its curriculum or even rename and reimagine a major to meet the changing landscapes and needs. Formerly called Retailing, the Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies major is now one of the ‘hottest’ fastest-growing majors on campus (#3), along with the School’s Personal Finance major (#10).
Outreach through Centers
Another opportunity Shim was quick to seize is better utilizing the School’s Child Development Lab and other Centers to enhance student experiences. A prime example is the Center for Design & Material Culture, which offers exhibition space and learning opportunities through its galleries and the acclaimed Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, drawing students from across campus.
“Out of all the places on this huge campus, there is nowhere I would rather be than the School of Human Ecology. It’s impossible to not learn and garner connections with those who are so like-minded and so talented. The shining jewel of Human Ecology is the people, and I am proud to be one of them.”
— Danielle Seitz, School of Human Ecology student
In the decade following Shim’s arrival, Human Ecology tripled undergraduate enrollment and doubled graduate student enrollment.
Human Ecology is the only school on campus to require an internship before graduating because research data shows a direct correlation to long-term career success.
One of Shim’s initiatives is to ensure that all interns are paid – preferably by the employers, and if not, via Human Ecology internship scholarships.
The goal is to ensure that students are not economically compromised for seeking these professional opportunities while still in school.
Philanthropy has continually allowed the school to reach its goals faster, aim higher, and expand in new directions.
Shim’s philosophy is that investment follows vision, and she’s proven to be a masterful fundraiser. She has an unmatched ability to articulate a compelling vision and inspire others to help make it happen. Audaciously, Shim blew past the original $50M goal of the All Ways Forward campus campaign, raising more than $72M for the School of Human Ecology. A key strategy was tapping into the power of the collective – engaging groups of supporters to give together for a common purpose. The impact has been nothing short of phenomenal – from doubling student scholarships, to recruiting leading scholars, to advancing groundbreaking research.
A campus first, Shim holds the first endowed deanship at UW–Madison named exclusively in honor of a woman, Elizabeth Holloway Schar (‘75), which was made possible by a group of eight visionary donor families.
“Cultivating donor partnerships requires an authentic and sincere connection to build relationships on shared values. It takes work to show good stewardship of investment, which is very important to donors.”
— Dean Soyeon Shim
Under the leadership of Douthitt and Shim, the School of Human Ecology has emerged from its precarious position decades earlier into newfound relevance, prominence and vitality.
And yet, the work of Human Ecologists
is far from over.
In fact, in many ways, it’s just beginning.
“We have the momentum, so why not keep moving ahead with clarity of purpose? – Dean Soyeon Shim
Despite all the challenges along the way, Human Ecology students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters have never stopped dreaming of what could be possible.
And to this day, we are still daring to ask what if…