Blog

Kim Viglietti named top Lakeland teacher for 2026

Apr. 15, 2026

Lakeland University Assistant Professor of Business Administration Kim Viglietti is the 2026 winner of the annual Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Viglietti is Lakeland’s 35^th winner of the Underkofler, which recognizes outstanding performance in undergraduate teaching. The award was presented at Wednesday night’s Lakeland academic honors banquet.

A member of Lakeland’s faculty since 2010, Viglietti is known for positivity impacting her students’ overall educational experience with encouragement, assistance and inspiration. In nominating her for the award, students noted how she expresses a genuine interest in their academic and personal lives, and her energetic approach to teaching and learning invigorates the students in their academic journey.

Viglietti joined Lakeland’s faculty as a full-time instructor in 2016 after teaching as an adjunct instructor for Lakeland and Silver Lake College. Prior to beginning her career as an educator, she spent 17 years in various managerial and senior roles within the marketing department at Kohler Co.

Viglietti has been the primary force within Lakeland’s marketing major, teaching on the main campus as well as evening and online classes and advising many students.

She continually brings real-world expertise into her classrooms in the form of guest speakers along with real-world application to her marketing courses. She works with local businesses to provide applied, current problem solving into her marketing curriculum.

In nominating Viglietti for the Underkofler Award, students offered these thoughts:

• “She believes in growth, hands‑on learning, and real‑life problem solving and creates a classroom so engaging and supportive that students feel excited to walk in every day.”
• “Kim goes far beyond the bare minimum as a professor. I cannot even count the hours that she has poured into me as a student, a professional, and, even more than that, as a person. She has helped me work through applications for internships, been a recommendation for me, given me candy when I am having a long day, and all around she has shown more care for me than I have ever experienced from a professor. Kim cares for all of her students like they are her own children.”
• “Kim cares about getting us connected in the community in meaningful ways.”
• “In Kim’s classes you can expect dynamic conversation and for your voice to be heard and listened to when you ask a question. You can expect to learn real-world and applicable concepts while having more fun than you would have in any other classroom while you are learning.”
• “Whenever I was struggling with everything going on in my life, she was there to back me up in my time of struggle. She helped with my classes and getting connected with others.”

Viglietti has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in economics from UW-Madison and a master of business administration/marketing from Concordia University, Mequon.

The Underkofler Award is presented through the Alliant Energy Foundation and the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges, Inc. The Underkofler Endowment Fund was created in honor of past Wisconsin Power & Light president and chairman James R. Underkofler to recognize his 48 years of service to the utility industry.