MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System Presidential Search Committee invites faculty, staff, and students, along with members of the public, to provide input on the presidential search through an online comment webpage.

The page invites university stakeholders and the public to describe the characteristics, skills, and experience sought in candidates as well as key challenges and opportunities facing the UW System.

“Stakeholder engagement and public input are vital as we pursue our goal of finding a dynamic new leader for the University of Wisconsin System,” said Regent Vice President Michael M. Grebe, chair of the search committee. “This website is one of several ways the committee is seeking a broad range of perspectives as we continue our work.”

Grebe and Regent President Andrew S. Petersen also announced today that they have consulted with university leadership and shared governance groups over the last two weeks and plan additional consultation meetings next week.

Last week, Grebe met with provosts and senior student affairs officers from around the UW System to discuss the presidential search and seek feedback. Provosts are the senior academic officers on university campuses.

Today, at a meeting in Madison, Grebe and Petersen heard from faculty, academic staff, and university staff governance representatives employed at the 13 UW System universities.

The meetings with provosts, senior student affairs officers, faculty, academic staff, and university staff in addition to more consultations next week and the online public input opportunity may be unprecedented, Grebe and Petersen said.

“We appreciate the feedback we’ve received so far and look forward to additional input,” Petersen said. “We are committed to offering multiple opportunities for stakeholder participation.”

The search committee has engaged the national executive search firm Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates to assist the search. The national woman- and minority-owned company has extensive experience guiding leadership searches at the university level.

“Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates is a preeminent executive search firm with a deep understanding of higher education. We look forward to this partnership as the UW System Presidential Search Committee searches for the next UW System President,” Grebe said.

For more information on the search, visit: https://www.wisconsin.edu/presidential-search/.


The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 170,000 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. More than 80 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.

Media Contact

Mark Pitsch UW System (608) 265-3419 mpitsch@uwsa.edu