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University of Wisconsin–Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter has been appointed to serve as interim president of the Universities of Wisconsin, effective May 18.
UW-Superior Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Maria Cuzzo will serve as interim chancellor during Wachter’s absence.
Wachter, the 10th chancellor of UW-Superior, joined the campus community in July 2011 following a distinguished career marked by innovation and leadership in higher education. She has served in both faculty and administrative roles at a variety of institutions. Prior to joining UW-Superior, Wachter was founding dean of the School of Business at Truman State University, Missouri’s designated highly selective public liberal arts and sciences university.
In announcing the appointment, Amy B. Bogost, president of the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents, said she consulted with regent colleagues and chancellors and found strong support for Wachter — the senior-most chancellor in the Universities of Wisconsin — as the Board begins its search for a permanent president.
“Renée brings the experience, judgment and institutional understanding this moment requires,” Bogost said. “As our longest-serving chancellor, she knows our universities, our communities and the challenges and opportunities facing public higher education in Wisconsin. She has earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the system through steady leadership and a collaborative approach. At a time when continuity, focus and forward momentum are essential, the Board is confident she understands what must be done to support our universities during this transition.”
During Wachter’s tenure as chancellor at UW-Superior, the university has achieved significant advances in student success initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, expanded access to higher education and completed transformational campus development projects. These accomplishments were made possible through the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners.
Presidential search underway
Bogost also announced the formation of a 25-member Presidential Search Committee to assist in identifying the next president of the Universities of Wisconsin. The committee will be chaired by Regent Ashok Rai.
“Without the Universities of Wisconsin, our state would be very different — less competitive, less innovative and less prepared for the future,” Bogost said. “Our 13 public universities educate the next generation, power our workforce, sustain communities, support thousands of jobs, attract research and investment, and produce discoveries that improve lives in Wisconsin and beyond. The next president must bring the courage, discipline and forward-looking leadership needed to guide the Universities of Wisconsin through one of the most consequential periods in higher education.”
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students statewide and award more than 37,000 degrees annually. With 13 universities across Wisconsin — including two major research universities, 10 comprehensive universities and one polytechnic university — the Universities of Wisconsin deliver significant value and impact to students, communities and the public.
In addition to Rai, members of the Presidential Search Committee include:
- Ian Abston, president, Forward 48 and Hoan Group; UW-Oshkosh alumnus
- Angela Adams, regent
- Lynn Akey, chancellor, UW-Parkside
- Tracie Banning, academic department associate, Educational Studies, UW-La Crosse
- Johannes Britz, senior vice president for academic and student affairs, Universities of Wisconsin Administration
- Kate Burns, provost, UW-Green Bay
- Raffay Chaudhry, speaker of the senate, Student Government Association, UW-Green Bay
- Katherine Frank, chancellor, UW-Stout
- Noah Fritz, student regent
- Thomas Gibson, chancellor, UW-Milwaukee
- Michael Gilmer, assistant chancellor for student affairs and strategic enrollment and dean of students, UW-River Falls
- Julie Gordon, vice president for finance and administration, Universities of Wisconsin Administration
- Marquell Johnson, professor and department chair, Kinesiology, UW-Eau Claire
- Jim Kreuser, regent
- Edwin Martini, incoming chancellor, UW-Eau Claire
- Rebecca Mueller, associate research administration director, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, UW-Whitewater
- Tom Palzewicz, regent
- Joan Prince, regent
- Matt Richards, member, board of directors, UW-Platteville Foundation and Alumni Association
- Sarah Rogers, regent
- Kristi Roth, professor, School of Education, UW-Stevens Point
- Nicholle Schuelke, professor and department chair, Education, UW-Superior
- Bill Westrate, chair and chief executive officer, American Family Insurance
- John Zumbrunnen, provost, UW-Madison
The Presidential Search Committee is expected to convene in the coming weeks to receive its formal charge and review search procedures. The committee will be supported by staff from Universities of Wisconsin Human Resources, the Office of the Board of Regents and the executive search firm AGB Search.
Additional details regarding the selection process will be released in the coming weeks. The successful candidate will require approval by the full Board of Regents and is expected to be selected later this year.