MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced today that he has named Jeff Buhrandt as Interim Vice President for University Relations, replacing Scott Neitzel who is resigning his position after helping guide UW System during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Scott’s budget and management experience was key to helping me navigate the many challenges presented by the pandemic this past year,” Thompson said. “His senior leadership enabled us to do many things we would never have been able to do without him accepting this role. He has my sincerest thanks and appreciation.”
Neitzel, whose last day will be July 18, was instrumental in helping craft UW System’s community and student testing program and the System’s legislative budget approval.
Buhrandt, who begins his new role July 21, has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point and a master’s degree from UW-Milwaukee. He has served in a variety of roles at UW System since 2014, most recently as the Associate Vice President for Government Relations in which he oversees the System’s interactions with the executive and legislative branches of state and federal government.
“With his extensive background in government relations and history at UW System, Jeff offers invaluable experience to lead the Office of University Relations,” Thompson said.
The Office of University Relations oversees corporate relations, government relations, and communications.
Prior to joining UW System, Buhrandt worked for eight years in the Wisconsin State Senate after beginning his career working in the office of longtime Wisconsin Congressman David Obey. Buhrandt grew up in Shawano, Wis.
Neitzel joined UW System last summer when Thompson took over as president. He served as co-chairman of Thompson’s UW System transition team and is a former state Department of Administration secretary.
The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 165,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is 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 UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.