An Academic Dean meets with students who are struggling with academic or personal challenges to provide advocacy, problem-solving, support, resources, and exceptions to policies.
College can be difficult and is harder if you are struggling with financial, medical, personal or academic challenges. Contact us to schedule time to talk about your options.
Call 608-262-1651 to schedule an appointment.
Academic Deans’ Support
139 Education Building
1000 Bascom Mall
Wheelchair accessible entrances are located on the east and north side of building.
Open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
academicdeansupport@education.wisc.edu
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Enrollment and Deadlines
Late Add/Drop of Courses: Need to add or drop a course after the university deadlines due to a non-academic circumstance outside of your control? We’re here to help you navigate this process and ensure you’re on the right track. Please complete the School of Education Academic Dean’s Policy Exception Form after speaking with your academic advisor.
Credit Overload Approval: Do you have a compelling reason to take more than 18 credits? We can help you consider the pros and cons of a credit overload, and evaluate your exception request. Please complete the Academic Dean’s Policy Exception Form after speaking with your academic advisor.
Personal Challenge Support
Personal Challenges/Disruptions: Life happens, and we are here to support you through personal and academic challenges that may affect your academic progress. Let us help you, rather than struggling in silence or trying to tough it out.
Emergency Support: If you are facing challenges, we can connect you with campus and School of Education resources. Please reach out to us if you are facing health/mental health issues, housing insecurity, food insecurity, need to work more than 20 hours a week or difficulty purchasing school supplies.
Personal and Medical Withdrawals: If you need to take a break from your studies, we will help you understand the withdrawal process and connect you with the necessary resources to withdraw from the university.
Major Application/Declarations and Dual Degrees
Personal Challenges/Disruptions: Life happens, and we are here to support you through personal and academic challenges that may affect your academic progress. Let us help you, rather than struggling in silence or trying to tough it out.
Emergency Support: If you are facing challenges, we can connect you with campus and School of Education resources. Please reach out to us if you are facing health/mental health issues, housing insecurity, food insecurity, need to work more than 20 hours a week or difficulty purchasing school supplies.
Personal and Medical Withdrawals: If you need to take a break from your studies, we will help you understand the withdrawal process and connect you with the necessary resources to withdraw from the university.
Classroom and Instructor Issues
Grade Appeals
Faculty or Student Grievances: Please consult the steps of the School of Education Grievance policy. For concerns with student behavior you can also consult the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Academic Standing and Readmission
Probation and Academic Drops: Our academic standing process is intended to identify and alert students who are experiencing academic difficulties and prevent further damage to your academic record and incurring tuition costs. We can assist you in understanding your options and developing a plan.
Reentry/Re-admission to UW-Madison: If you withdrew from a term or have been away from school for more than a semester, we’ll help you navigate the Re-entry to UW process to continue your degree. Please complete the School of Education Academic Dean’s Policy Exception Form after speaking with your academic advisor.
UW-Extension Independent Learning Waiver
See an advisor for details
Please read the requirements carefully for School of Education students.
- The Independent Learning Waiver must be completed by the student, signed by an SOE academic advisor or member of Academic Dean staff. The student is responsible for submitting the completed form to UW-Extension before the appropriate deadline.
- Important Note for UW-Madison Students Maintaining an F-1 or J-1 Visa: Independent Learning courses do not count toward the minimum credit hours that students need to maintain their visa status. If a student on an F-1 or J-1 visa has any questions about maintaining their F-1 or J-1 visa status, they should contact International Student Services (ISS) at UW-Madison.
Meet our team

Amy Shannon
I serve as a student success and support manager, providing Academic Dean support to students, and consulting with faculty/instructors regarding student-related issues and concerns. As part of my role, I work to support students experiencing distress, to collaboratively develop solutions to both academic and personal challenges, and make referrals to campus and community resources.

Barbara Gerloff
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Christina Klawitter
Christina Klawitter serves as the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs. She has general oversight and responsibility for student academic affairs and student services units and activities across the School. She is responsible for establishing directions, developing policies and procedures, and facilitating coordination and integration among units providing services related to advising, student recruitment, program admission, scholarships and fellowships, and career services.