MADISON, Wis. – University of Wisconsin System President Kevin P. Reilly announced today that Michael R. Lovell has agreed to serve as UW-Milwaukee’s Interim Chancellor. Lovell, Dean of the UWM’s College of Engineering and Applied Science since 2008, will step into the new role next month following the departure of Chancellor Carlos Santiago.
After consulting with leaders of the UW System Board of Regents and members of the UW-Milwaukee campus community, Reilly identified Lovell as someone who could provide strong leadership for the System’s second-largest campus at a critical point in time.
“Dean Lovell has a broad perspective on higher education and a clear vision for the whole UW-Milwaukee campus,” said Reilly. “He has an impressive academic record of his own, and he’s recruited other talented faculty members to UWM at a time when the institution is working to ramp-up its research capacity.”
Reilly praised Lovell’s efforts to engage community leaders and private businesses in support of UW-Milwaukee’s central role as an economic engine for Southeastern Wisconsin.
“This is someone with great energy, who has engendered broad support among his faculty and staff colleagues, as well as others in the Milwaukee region,” said Reilly.
In addition to providing daily leadership for the 30,000-student campus, Lovell will be responsible for important academic initiatives and major building projects. He will also serve as UW-Milwaukee’s chief advocate during the upcoming State budget-making process.
“There’s a growing consensus that the economic vitality of this region is inextricably tied to UW-Milwaukee’s success. Dean Lovell is well prepared to keep this institution moving forward with efforts to expand scientific research while preserving educational access for Wisconsin citizens,” said Regent President Charles Pruitt of Milwaukee.
Prior to joining UWM, Lovell served as Associate Dean for Research at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering for five years. He previously directed two multi-university research centers, working with hundreds of faculty members, graduate students, and private companies. He was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Kentucky, after starting his career at a private firm that develops engineering simulation software.
Lovell earned his Ph.D., M.S., and undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Santiago announced on August 16 that he would leave UW-Milwaukee in October to become CEO of the Hispanic College Fund in Washington, D.C. Santiago has served as UWM’s leader since July 2004.
Reilly is now working with the Board of Regents and the UW-Milwaukee campus community to begin a national search for the next chancellor, aiming to have a permanent leader in place next summer. Reilly will appoint a search and screen committee comprised of UW-Milwaukee faculty, academic staff, classified staff, and students, as well as community representatives. That group will commence the national search and recommend finalists for consideration by Reilly and a special committee of Regents, to be appointed by Pruitt.