Help Choose the Next Leader of Wisconsin’s Public Universities
By Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Vice President Ashok Rai, MD, FACP
Few institutions touch the lives of more Wisconsinites than the Universities of Wisconsin.
Our 13 public universities provide educational opportunities to future teachers, nurses, engineers, business leaders, and public servants. Our public universities prepare the workforce that powers communities across our state, from Ashland to Racine, La Crosse to Marinette. And our public universities drive research that improves lives and advances discoveries in healthcare, agriculture, technology, and countless other fields.
Most importantly, our 13 public universities belong to the people of Wisconsin.
That is why the search for the next president of the Universities of Wisconsin is about more than selecting a leader. It is about identifying a visionary who can help Wisconsin meet future opportunities and challenges while harnessing the power and momentum of all the UWs.
As chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I have spent the past several months working alongside a diverse group of Regents, faculty, staff, students, alumni, business leaders, and community representatives. Together, we have listened to stakeholders, reviewed candidates from across the country, and identified finalists for this important position.
Now, we need to hear from you again.
The next president will help shape the future of the public universities that serve every corner of our state. That leader will help expand educational opportunities for our workforce, support research and innovation, and ensure that the Universities of Wisconsin continue fulfilling their public mission for generations to come.
In the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea, the benefits of our universities extend far beyond campus boundaries. Because this mission belongs to all of us, the voices of Wisconsinites should help inform this decision.
That is why we are inviting the public to attend two candidate forums later this month.
Finalists for the presidency will participate in public presentations at UW-Parkside on Monday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the Bedford Concert Hall at the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts & Humanities, Avenue of the Arts, Kenosha. The finalists will participate in a second public forum at UW-Madison on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the Great Hall of Memorial Union (fourth floor), 800 Langdon St., Madison. Both events will also be available via livestream.
Each finalist will appear separately, sharing their vision for the future of the Universities of Wisconsin and responding to questions from in-person attendees. Following each presentation, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the Presidential Search Committee.
Your perspectives matter. Whether you are a student, parent, alumnus, employer, educator, taxpayer, or simply someone who cares about Wisconsin’s future, I encourage you to participate.
The Universities of Wisconsin are one of the state’s greatest public assets. The next president will help determine how that asset serves students, employers, communities, and families in the years ahead. This is Wisconsin’s search, and we hope you’ll take part in it.
For Presidential Search 2026 candidate information, livestream details, and feedback opportunities, visit wisconsin.edu/about/. Information will be posted as it becomes available. Editor’s note: It appears that the names of the candidates have not yet been made public.
