Cynthia “Cindy” Hofacker recently retired after completing her 39th year as an UW-Eau Claire College educator and business leader.
Hofacker, a UW-Eau Claire double alumna, received her B.S. and M.S. in Business Education in ‘76 and ’85 respectively. After graduation, she joined the UW-Eau Claire business education and administration management department (BEAM) as a part-time adjunct instructor from 1985-89. In 1989, she was offered a full-time position with the BEAM Department teaching business communication courses.
During the late 1990s, Hofacker joined the College of Business Dean’s office as the first coordinator of distance (online) learning. In this role, she worked with other faculty and staff to write and manage funding proposals and documentation to launch the online UW MBA Consortium, recently ranked in the top 9 for Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. She also coordinated budgets and developed working agreements with four accredited MBA universities, several two-year campuses, and other external partners in the role.
From 2008-2010, Hofacker oversaw the College of Business’ budget and special programs, and then in 2010 returned to classroom teaching business communication courses which included Diversity in the Workplace, Business Writing, and Advanced Business Communication until her retirement in May, 2019. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Professor Award by Beta Gamma Sigma and the College of Business Coaching Award in 2018, an award presented to a College of Business employee who improved the performance of students, faculty, and staff though effective guidance, advising, and mentoring.
When asked what the most memorable moment was in her teaching career, Hofacker indicated it was her daily contact with students. “Watching students struggle when first asked to introduce themselves to the class and then later seeing them present a top-notch business presentation is so rewarding. I loved having students in multiple classes and then following their entry into business. We have so many outstanding students at UW-Eau Claire. They come to class and do what you ask of them and do it well.”
Prior to her position at UW-Eau Claire, Hofacker taught business education classes at Ladysmith High School and was the business occupation co-op coordinator with the Menomonie Area School District. She also served as President of Regis Catholic Schools from 2001-2008.
Hofacker plans to stay busy in retirement by consulting, traveling, playing pickleball, and spending time with her husband, two sons, daughter, and granddaughter. She is currently the President of Hofacker Construction Services, Inc.
