Dr. Donald J. Mash will retire this month after a distinguished career in higher education spanning four decades. For three years, Mash has served as the Executive Senior Vice President of the University of Wisconsin System. Previously, Mash was chancellor of UW-Eau Claire.
“Don has been a great leader and wonderful colleague,” said UW System President Kevin P. Reilly. “The UW System has truly benefited from his diplomacy, dexterity and dedication.”
Mash was pivotal in the strategic planning process that formulated the UW System’s Growth Agenda Action Steps. He was also instrumental in coordinating Wisconsin’s participation in “KnowHow2Go”— a national campaign designed to help more young people prepare for college success.
Mash, an accomplished fundraiser, led UW-Eau Claire’s first-ever comprehensive campaign during his term as chancellor. The campaign eventually raised over $50 million for the campus.
“He has consistently been a strong champion for public higher education,” said Reilly. “We will certainly miss him.”
Prior to coming to Wisconsin, Mash was the president of Wayne State College (Neb.) for 10 years and a vice president at George Mason University (Va.) for over 13 years. He began his career teaching geography at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford campus.
Mash earned his Ph.D. in the higher education program at Ohio State University while serving as the chief student affairs administrator at Ohio Dominican College in Columbus. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.