After a Long Career, UWM Alumna Makes an Investment in the Future

Terry Ruzicka ’84, ’96 spent her entire 39-year career working for the University of Wisconsin System, starting as a student worker in UWM’s Financial Aid Office. There, she witnessed firsthand what a difference scholarship support made to UWM’s students.

After she graduated with her bachelor’s degree, Terry stayed on at UWM, where she eventually was the director and co-creator of the Office of Adult & Returning Student Services. Like so many adult students at UWM, Terry was a returning student herself in pursuit of both her bachelor’s and a master’s degree in administrative leadership in education while working full-time at the university.

In 2004, Terry’s husband, Ron Luskin, took a job in Madison, and Terry followed. She initially joined UW-Madison’s Office of the Registrar, sharing her expertise as a communications consultant to their e-grading project, an initiative she had worked on just before departing UWM. The following year, she transitioned to the Office of the Vice Provost and continued her professional career at UW-Madison, where she served until she retired in 2022 as deputy vice provost and chief of staff for the Division of Enrollment Management.

During her time in the Office of the Vice Provost at UW–Madison, she also served as a strategic enrollment management consultant for UW-Parkside and UW-Superior, sharing her expertise for the betterment of potential students of those institutions as well.

Terry spent her entire career in higher education dedicated to creating access, often to overlooked populations of students. She was a mentor in the Information Technology Academy, which is affiliated with UW-Madison’s Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence—also known as PEOPLE—which encourages student success and improves campus diversity. Terry is a strong financial supporter of need-based scholarships, helping ensure that resources aren’t a barrier for students seeking a degree.

In celebration of her retirement, Ron, who finished his career in business as a professional fundraiser for the University of Wisconsin Foundation, had an idea for a meaningful gift they could give others. The couple decided to include the UWM Foundation in their estate plans in order to provide need-based scholarships to help students pursue a degree.

“I was a first-generation college student,” Ron explains, “and Terry very much believes in the importance of people being able to rise up through education. By having the opportunity to attend UWM, students can make their way to a promising career.”

Terry and Ron’s generosity reflects their values, which also guided their career choices.

“We are very much committed to improving the lives of students who are overcoming obstacles,” Terry says, “and with our estate gift, we can make a significant impact. We encourage other UWM faculty, staff and alumni to consider making a gift to support the university as well.”

For more information about creative ways to include the UWM Foundation in your estate plans, contact Gretchen Miller or Mary Frieseke.