On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Tri-State Economic Development Practitioners, an informal, peer-led network organized by Greater Dubuque Development, gathered for their quarterly meeting at the Huff Family Innovation Center on the University of Wisconsin–Platteville campus in Grant County, Wisconsin.
During the meeting, participants received a tour led by Dr. Philip J. Parker, Dean and Professor in the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, and learned more about UW–Platteville’s Senior Design program, which connects teams of students with industry partners to solve real-world business challenges or support new product development. The program offers businesses an opportunity to collaborate with emerging talent while providing students with hands-on experience guided by faculty and industry advisors.
These discussions highlighted opportunities for regional businesses, including those in the Greater Dubuque region, to engage with UW–Platteville students in ways that strengthen workforce pipelines and deepen connections between education and industry. The Tri-State Practitioners group continues to serve as a forum for shared learning, collaboration, and regional problem-solving across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Interested in learning more about UW–Platteville’s Senior Design program? Contact the UW-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences at 608-342-1561 or emsdeansoffice@uwplatt.edu.
For more information or questions about the Tri-State Economic Development Practitioners, contact Jason White, President & CEO, at jasonw@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.