The following notice was posted on the UW-Whitewater announcements page on April 19.

With the search and screen processes for two university leaders now concluded, Provost John Chenoweth is pleased to announce the naming of a new dean for the College of Letters and Sciences and a new assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment and Retention. Please join us in congratulating them!

Jason Janke has been named the dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. He is currently serving as an associate dean at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he oversees advising as well as data and enrollment. Professor Janke served as chair of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences for three years and has served as an administrator (associate dean and interim dean) for six years in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.  

“Jason Janke will be a champion for student success and a strong advocate for the College of Letters and Sciences,” Chenoweth said. “His wide-ranging experience and skillset — teaching, budgeting, strategic planning, research, inclusivity efforts, and fundraising — will serve the college well. Dr. Janke deeply understands our mission to provide transformational experiences for our students and he vividly articulates the value of a high-quality liberal arts education.”

Janke officially begins as dean on July 1.

Jackie Briggs has been named assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment and Retention. Briggs has been serving as director of admissions since 2017 and was previously assistant director of admissions at UW-La Crosse. She has more than 16 years of recruitment and retention experience in higher education.

“At a time of increased competition for student recruitment and retention, we are fortunate to have an experienced professional — Jackie Briggs — to lead our efforts,” said Chenoweth. “In her time at UW-Whitewater, Jackie has increased collaborations across both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. Data-informed decision making and the welcoming, customer-service culture she has implemented have served us well and set the tone for others to follow. I look forward to working with Jackie and colleagues across UW-Whitewater to grow the Warhawk family.” 

Briggs officially begins as assistant vice chancellor on April 21.

Chenoweth thanked the search chairs for these positions — Matt Vick, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, who chaired the dean search, and Paul Waelchli, library director, who chaired the assistant vice chancellor search — as well as the search and screen committees, for their able leadership and strong work in recruiting and reviewing the candidates.