MADISON, Wis.—Dr. Michael Alexander, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has been named the seventh Chancellor of the university, which has campus locations in Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan.
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents today unanimously approved Alexander’s appointment, following a recommendation made by a selection committee. Alexander will assume the leadership post on May 1.
Alexander has served as UW-Green Bay provost and vice chancellor since July 2019. In that role, he has expanded educational connections with high schools and businesses, implemented an academic affairs strategic plan, created and funded an Office of Sustainability, and restructured Graduate Studies and the Office of Grants and Research.
Previously, he was Professor and Director of the School of Music at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.; Professor of Music at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga.; and Music Director of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.
“During Michael’s tenure at Green Bay, he has demonstrated keen listening and engagement skills,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “His experience as a conductor has clearly enriched and influenced his ability to lead individual experts and professionals.”
Alexander said his “passion and dedication” to UW-Green Bay and the community “is stronger than ever.”
“I know the work of the university will increasingly be a driver in the educational, economic, cultural, and civic life of Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marinette, and Sheboygan,” he said. “Our mission and vision for a university that fearlessly meets challenges, solves problems, embraces diversity, cares about our region, and provides access to education for all who want it honors the innovative spirit of the founders of the university and moves us forward.”
He holds an M.M. in Instrumental Conducting from UW-Milwaukee and a D.M.A. in Orchestral Conducting from UW-Madison. Alexander earned a B.M.E. from the University of Georgia. In 2004, he was interim conductor of the Green Bay Youth Symphony.
Michael Draney, Chair of the Department of Natural & Applied Sciences and Vice Chair of the Chancellor Search and Screen Committee, praised the selection process for including university and community voices.
“Michael Alexander is widely respected and admired by the faculty, staff, and students at UW-Green Bay, and his vision and leadership abilities are real assets to this institution,” Draney said.
“Michael is clearly the person to lead UW-Green Bay through this period of extraordinary challenge and opportunity. He is a great listener, a deep thinker, and he possesses the spirit of respectful urgency essential to these times,” said Regent Robert Atwell, chair of the Search and Screen Committee.
“Michael Alexander’s contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as Provost have been impressive and impactful,” said Regent President Andrew S. Petersen. “UWGB will be fortunate to have Michael’s steady leadership, charisma, and intellect on campus as he moves into the Chancellor role.”
The Special Regent Committee for the UW-Green Bay Chancellor Search that recommended Alexander to the full Board of Regents includes Atwell and Regents Scott Beightol, Becky Levzow, and Karen Walsh.
The Search and Screen Committee includes members of the Special Regent Committee; Draney; Craig Dickman, Managing Director, Titletown Tech; Sgt. Cindy Estrup, Emergency Manager and Special Project Sergeant, UW-Green Bay Police Department; Jenell Holstead, Associate Professor of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and Chair of Psychology; and UW-Green Bay student Zoe Betancourt.
Non-voting members of the committee include Dana Atwood, Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus; Daniel Kallgren, Associate Professor of History, UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus; and Berel Lutsky, Professor of Art, UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus.
Alexander will earn $250,000 as chancellor.
Resources
- CV: https://www.uwgb.edu/UWGBCMS/media/chancellor-search/files/Alexander-Michael-CV_Redacted.pdf
- Photo: https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2020/04/Michael-Alexander.jpg
- Search process: https://www.uwgb.edu/chancellor-search/
- UW-Green Bay: https://www.uwgb.edu
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs to more than 8.700 students with campus locations in Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Established in 1965 on the border of Green Bay, the University and its campuses are centers of cultural enrichment, innovation and learning. The Green Bay campus is home to one of the Midwest’s most prolific performing arts centers, a nationally recognized 4,000-seat student recreation center, D-I athletics, an award-winning nine-hole golf course and a five-mile recreational trail and arboretum, which is free and open to the public. This four-campus University transforms lives and communities through student-focused teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, powerful connections and a problem-solving approach to education. UW-Green Bay’s main campus is centrally located, close to both the Door County resort area and the dynamic economies of Northeast Wisconsin, the Fox Valley region and the I-43 corridor. UW-Green Bay offers in-demand programs in science, engineering and technology; business; health, education and social welfare; and arts, humanities and social sciences. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 170,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. More than 80 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.