The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been a leader in helping to promote the University of Wisconsin System’s new public relations campaign, “Knowledge Powers Wisconsin.”

When the @UWpowersMe Twitter account asked for volunteers to step up, UW-Platteville volunteered to be first.

Jamie Procarione, a sophomore elementary education major, was the first student in the System to manage the statewide Twitter account

“I was asked to tweet about my life on campus so others were able to catch a glimpse of life at UW-Platteville,” Procarione said.

Procarione managed the account from Feb. 11-18.

“I tweeted about sorority events, class happenings and campus sightings,” said Procarione.  “There were a couple of retweets and a few replies.  There was interaction, and it was a good experience.”

During the week of March 18–25 the Twitter feed will feature Rochelle Ripp, a UW-Platteville alumna.  Ripp graduated in 2009 with an agribusiness degree in communications and is presently serving as Alice in Dairyland for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

“Public relations departments of each UW school or campus have independence of who they want to promote,” said Paul Erickson, UW-Platteville Public Information Officer and Director of Information and Communications.

The Twitter account is only one component of the “Knowledge Powers Wisconsin” campaign.  Students, faculty, chancellors and alumni from institutions in the System share stories on the campaign’s website about how they help businesses and communities grow.

“Each university can show what their education is like and how it affects everyone,” Sarah Miller, UW-Platteville Social Community Director.  “It hits citizens in a variety of ways and shows how great it can be.”

UW-Platteville has contributed stories under the headings of agriculture, engineering, entrepreneurship, technology and responsiveness on the “Knowledge Powers Wisconsin” website.

“It shows positives on economic development, what graduates mean to communities, and how they are bettering them,” said Erickson.  “A lot of students are doing great things, and we want to highlight our students.”

For more information on “Knowledge Powers Wisconsin,” visit uwpowerswi.com.