Dr. Brian Levin-Stankevich
MADISON-Brian Levin-Stankevich, interim president of Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., has been recommended as the next chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
UW System President Kevin P. Reilly and the Board of Regents’ Special Committee for the UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Search announced the recommendation on Thursday (Feb. 2). The full Board of Regents will act on the recommendation on Friday, Feb. 10.
“Dr. Levin-Stankevich brings a deep interest in furthering academic and student success, an appreciation for diversity in all its forms, and a commitment to the vital role of the public regional university in the region and in the state as a whole,” Reilly said. “The UW-Eau Claire campus community will be very well-served by Brian’s unusually comprehensive experience in higher education and his collaborative approach to university leadership.”
Levin-Stankevich has served as interim president of Eastern Washington University since June 2005. He previously served that campus as provost and vice president for academic affairs, vice president for student affairs, and a professor of counseling, educational and developmental psychology. He has also held positions at the State University of New York-Buffalo and Florida Atlantic University, where he taught history courses and published in the areas of Russian history and comparative education.
Throughout his career, Dr. Levin-Stankevich has led academic strategic planning and regional accreditation self-study processes, implemented diversity initiatives, and assisted with campus climate assessments. Among many accomplishments, he created a faculty fellows program to provide leadership development opportunities for faculty, began the Provost’s Academic Innovation Series, has managed the implementation of new and interdisciplinary degree programs, and initiated and led a quality service initiative program. He also has been continuously involved in international education initiatives, most recently linking Eastern Washington University with partner institutions in China.
“I am honored by this opportunity to join the students, faculty and staff as part of the UW-Eau Claire community,” Levin-Stankevich said. “UW-Eau Claire has a well-earned reputation for excellence in every regard, and I look forward to contributing to the next era of Blugold success.”
Levin-Stankevich earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Hamilton College, and his master’s degree and doctorate in history from SUNY-Buffalo. He also studied for one year at the law faculty of St. Petersburg University in Russia on a Fulbright Fellowship.
“Dr. Levin-Stankevich’s experience leading a public, regional university that’s similar in size and mission to UW-Eau Claire will be a tremendous asset as he moves into the Chancellor position here,” said Robert Hooper, chair of the chancellor search and screen committee at UW-Eau Claire. “He understands what it takes for a university like UW-Eau Claire to succeed, and he appreciates what that success can mean to our students, region and state. As our next chancellor, I believe he will help UW-Eau Claire continue to move its programs forward.”
Dr. Levin-Stankevich served as a member and president of the West Plains, Wash., Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and of the board of trustees of the Spokane Regional Economic Development Council.
“Dr. Levin-Stankevich emerged as the leading candidate in an extremely talented pool of applicants,” said Regent Peggy Rosenzweig of Wauwatosa, chair of the Board of Regents Special Committee for the UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Search. “We, like the Eau Claire community, were struck by his high energy and contagious enthusiasm. The Board of Regents looks forward to working with him as he helps take UW-Eau Claire to the next level.”
Levin-Stankevich was one of four finalists for the UW-Eau Claire chancellor position recommended by a campus search-and-screen committee. The other finalists were Royce C. Engstrom, provost and vice president for academic affairs, University of South Dakota; Sharon K. Hahs, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; and James W. Perry, campus executive officer and dean, University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley.
The Board of Regents’ Special Committee for the UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Search was chaired by Rosenzweig, and included Regents Eileen Connolly-Keesler of Oshkosh, Charles Pruitt of Shorewood, and Jesus Salas of Milwaukee.
Levin-Stankevich will be joined in Wisconsin by his wife, Debi. He is expected to begin no later than July 1, 2006.
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[For reporters: Dr. Levin-Stankevich can be reached at his office at Eastern Washington University (509-359-6362). Please note that Eastern Washington is in the Pacific Time Zone.]
Consistently ranked among the top public regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, UW-Eau Claire combines a distinctive liberal arts education with a contemporary approach to career preparation. The university’s 10,500 students can choose from more than 80 undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and human sciences and services, as well as 13 master’s degree programs. The UW System’s only Center of Excellence for faculty and undergraduate research, UW-Eau Claire provides undergraduate students with research experiences that often are available only to graduate students at large institutions. The university also is known for its rich living and learning environment, strong international education programs and its service-learning program. More information is available at http://www.uwec.edu.