MADISON, Wis.—Dr. Manohar Singh, interim president of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., has been named the next Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He is its 12th leader.
The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents today unanimously approved Singh’s appointment, following a recommendation made by a selection committee. Singh will assume the leadership post on July 1.
“The engagement of the UW-Oshkosh campus community in the search process was significant, and the enthusiasm for what comes next was palpable,” said Regent Ashok Rai, chair of the Search and Screen Committee. “We feel that Dr. Singh possesses the talent and skill to harness the energy on campus and lead it into a bright future.”
Singh has served as interim president of Western Connecticut State University since 2023. Prior to that he was Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn. He has held leadership posts at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif.; Penn State University Abington in Abington, Pa.; and Long Island University Post in Brookville, N.Y. He has also been a professor of finance at several universities.
“As a first-generation college graduate, Manohar Singh believes in the power of higher education to improve lives and is a collaborative leader who builds consensus,” said Jay Rothman, president of the Universities of Wisconsin. “His background in finance and administration will further benefit UW-Oshkosh.”
“Dr. Singh’s ability to focus on student success while balancing the books will be critical at UW-Oshkosh,” said Regent President Amy B. Bogost. “His track record in Connecticut navigating enrollment and financial challenges is impressive.”
“I am moved by the passion of UW-Oshkosh students pursuing their dreams, the devotion of faculty mentoring them with compassion and rigor, and the dedication of staff ensuring student success every step of the way,” Singh said. “They are the reason I believe in the promise of this university—and the boundless potential of what we can achieve together.
At Western Connecticut under Singh’s leadership, the university reached financial stability, reversed years of enrollment decline, expanded athletic programs, and introduced new academic offerings.
Singh earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Punjab University-Chandigarh, India, as well as a master’s degree in economics from University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He earned a Ph.D. in finance from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.
President Rothman and the Special Regent Committee for the UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Search recommended Singh to the full Board of Regents. The Committee includes Regents Rai, chair; Desmond Adongo; Haben Goitom; Jim Kreuser; Timothy Nixon; and Karen Walsh.
The Search and Screen Committee includes members of the Special Regent Committee and Andrew Smock, Associate Professor, Department of Radio TV Film, College of Letters & Science, vice chair; Holly Brenner, Board Chair, UW-Oshkosh Foundation; Seon Yoon Chung, Dean, College of Nursing; David Fuller, Professor, Department of Economics, College of Business; Allison Kunde, Administrative Assistant III, Provost’s Office; Chrissy Lambie, Assistant Director, Career & Professional Development; Aaron Sherer, Executive Director, Paine Art Center and Gardens; and Sandy Yanez Velasquez, Director of Staff, UW-Oshkosh Student Government.
He succeeds Andrew Leavitt, who plans to teach chemistry at UW-Oshkosh after a year away at another university.
Resources
- CV: wisconsin.edu/news/download/Singh,-Manohar-CV.pdf
- Photo: wisconsin.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2025/04/Singh-Manohar-Headshot.jpg
- UW-Oshkosh: uwosh.edu
About UW-Oshkosh
Student success is at the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Students benefit from personalized support with small class sizes, a wealth of academic and personal support services, and personalized career and academic advising. Oshkosh has been recently ranked as the No. 1 best college town and the No. 4 most livable small city in the United States, and students benefit from employment, entertainment and recreation of a thriving community and region. With a strong undergraduate research focus and national reputation for sustainability, Titans daily demonstrate what students can do to change the world. Learn more at uwosh.edu.
About the Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 164,400 students. Awarding nearly 36,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are 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. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.