MIAD Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker

Nichole Uecker and Jeff Morin

Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Nichole’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.

The MIAD Values Recognition Award (VRA) celebrates faculty and staff who consistently model MIAD’s values of courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation and inclusion. After employees nominate a colleague for the award, a committee made up of faculty, staff and previous VRA winners convenes to vote on the month’s recipient. Awardees receive a $250 prize.

Consistently acknowledged by nominators for her dedication and empathy, Uecker says, “I try to approach new meetings with folks from a position of curiosity and also making sure that I give people the individualized attention that they deserve because every situation is different and everybody has a story to go along with what they’ve been through.”

“Nichole works tirelessly to help students harness their accommodation needs as strengths so they can see themselves succeeding not only in class, but as professionals post-graduation,” said one nominator.

“The work Nichole does with students has a great impact on almost all of our work lives,” said another. “I’m incredibly grateful to have her impacting the MIAD community, and the Milwaukee community, in such a positive way.”

Now in her fourth year, Uecker says, “I love being at MIAD. I love the safe space that MIAD is. It’s such a vibrant and engaging place to be. I just wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Learn more about MIAD’s Values Recognition Award or nominate a colleague at www.miad.edu/vra.