The University of Wisconsin's new online Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management has attracted students from as far away as Munich, Germany. The University of Wisconsin-Extension brought together the strengths of four different UW campuses in crafting the degree—UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout and UW-Superior. Enrollment began May 15th,, and since then, the degree has attracted applicants from around the world. Whisper Wels and her husband Gerald, who once launched an eco-friendly lighting business in Arizona but now live in Munich, are the latest applicants for the new green degree.

"We are seeing increasing emphasis on the 'greening of education’ in America, where a high quality online degree like this plays an important role,” said Crystal Fey, program manager. “The environmentally-responsible delivery format reduces waste and increases access to people across the globe.”

The real-world experience of launching their first green business taught the Wels the importance of a formalized sustainable business degree. In 2006, the couple was inspired to establish an e-store specializing in energy efficient lighting after watching former Vice President Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth. "We knew we had to become proponents of change ourselves," said Whisper. Over the next year, the couple experienced several business successes, including securing a supply contract with APS, Arizona's largest electric utility. They practiced Triple Bottom Line management by donating lighting to the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans and working with the MidAmerica Crime Free Organization to help lower crime rates in apartment complexes by increasing lighting.

“But in the end we realized we lacked the capital and formal education to move our business to the next level. So it was time to step back, and get the sustainable education we needed before we moved forward,” she said.

While the Wells relocated to Gerald’s native Munich to take advantage of the support his family offered while they got the education they needed, the actual coursework is coming from one of four UW campuses: Parkside, River Falls, Superior or Stout, depending upon which campus the couple chooses. “Online learning doesn’t really exist in Germany but with two small children to care for, plus job obligations, the University of Wisconsin degree offers us exactly the flexibility and learning style we need,” said Whisper.

The University of Wisconsin's new Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Management is designed to offer the knowledge and competencies that students like the Wels need to compete in the green economy job market in the U.S. and around the world. "With Green Collar jobs a major focus of the economic recovery plan, and billions of dollars in environmental incentives available to companies from the federal government, a green degree is the fastest path to higher income and a secure job future in the new economy, said Judy Ziewacz, Executive Director, Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence.

For more information, visit http://sustain.wisconsin.edu.