Cookies with Courtney: Gratitude, Change and New Opportunities

November 11, 2025   |   By Office of Research & Scholarship Communications

WCER Director Courtney Bell recently met with staff from WCER and the School of Education to reflect on key issues facing WCER, acknowledging challenges faced and looking ahead with clarity and optimism.

One of the central themes of the presentation was change. WCER, like many organizations, is adapting to a shifting landscape, both internally and externally. Bell said keeping everyone informed during transitions is difficult but important work, emphasizing the continuing importance of transparency and teamwork.

The “One School Vision,” led by School of Education Dean Marcelle Haddix and supported by Associate Dean for Research Dorothy Farrar Edwards, is reshaping how service units operate. Instead of functioning as isolated support teams, these units now work at the School level to serve scholars across the arts, education, and health. Director of Research Strategy Hanna Blazel plays a key coordination role, ensuring teams remain aligned and responsive to project needs.

“You should expect teamwork from all of those people, because we're working as a team,” Bell said.

Facing Federal Funding Challenges

Bell spoke candidly about the dramatic changes in federal education funding, particularly around issues involving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). UW–Madison has long been a leader in efforts to foster environments where all students can thrive, regardless of their background. But federal support for such initiatives has declined. Projects like Curriculum and Instruction Associate Professor Nicole Louie’s research with Black, Hispanic, and Asian American youth in mathematics — once readily fundable — now faces new hurdles.

In addition, grant sizes and durations have been reduced, and competition has intensified. Faculty and academic staff expectations haven’t yet caught up to this new reality, creating pressure across the board. But Bell emphasized that WCER and its researchers are not standing still but instead are “reframing, adapting, and finding new ways to keep our work impactful.”

“I do see lots of opportunity in the federal shift,” she said. “I think we're going to get better at things we didn't have to get better at before.”

Strategic Planning and New Initiatives

WCER is also leaning into innovation. Strategic planning efforts that began in 2021 continue, with input from principal investigators, project staff, and leadership. Monthly community meetings, biweekly coordination sessions, and open office hours are helping foster the communication and collaboration.

“We need to be strategic in how we anticipate the changes,” Bell said. “The education researchers in the School and WCER have to pivot.”

Resilience and Support

Bell acknowledged the emotional and operational toll of recent changes, including the implementation of Workday. Many staff members have worked tirelessly — often sacrificing personal time — to keep things running smoothly. She encouraged everyone to be patient with one another and to keep “doing the next right thing.”

“There’s no sense in looking backwards and pointing fingers,” Bell said. “The most important thing is that we keep saying, ‘Okay, what do we need next?’”

A Message from the Dean

Dean Haddix joined the conversation to express her appreciation for WCER’s resilience and leadership. She emphasized that while the times are challenging, they are also full of possibility. WCER is well-positioned to lead the national conversation on how to move forward relative to educational research, Haddix said, and WCER’s collaborative spirit is key to that leadership.