OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –The recent announcement from UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt to resign following this academic year has people talking.
As UWO gears up for homecoming weekend — students are also left wondering who the next Chancellor will be after the school year is over.
Leavitt has been at the helm at UW Oshkosh as Chancellor for 10 years.
“I don’t know if he just, you know, if it’s kind of developing or if it’s growing, entering a new stage that he wants someone else to take over for his leadership. But yeah, it was surprising I’ll say,” said UW Oshkosh student, Josh O’Connell.
“Kind of shocking, but like I feel like it’s good that like he can be honest with everybody and like, because it’s a pretty important job,” said fellow student Landan Bardowski.
Leavitt’s announcement comes as the campus has seen declines in enrollment, as well as a multi-million dollar structural deficit, which the campus believes will be eliminated by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Back in June, UW Oshkosh made the decision to close its Fox Cities branch campus in Menasha.
Leaders and elected officials will surely be looking closely at who will ultimately step into Leavitt’s role in the future.
“The new administration will need to develop strong bonds and partnerships with on-campus people, that includes the faculty, the staff, the students, and of course the alumni, donors. That will strengthen UWO and will take it into the future and in a more effective and, hopefully successful way,” said Walt Ulbricht, Winnebago Co. Board Supervisor for District 3.
Students, too are looking forward at what’s to come.
“Yeah, I’m curious to see how they, you know, how they find who takes over and who that might be and what their plans are with everything,” said O’Connell.
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman released a statement regarding Leavitt’s announcement which reads:
Since his first day as chancellor, Chancellor Leavitt has embraced the challenges that come with leadership. He is passionate about ensuring UW Oshkosh is positioned for a vibrant future, knowing its success is vital to the region and our state.
Read Leavitt’s full letter announcing his plans to step down below:
Dear University community,
We are on a positive, innovative path as we advance plans to realize UWO 2.0. Thank you for your contributions toward that goal.
This University has worked diligently and made sacrifices for a brighter and more dynamic future. We are modernizing UW Oshkosh’s academic structure and facilities. Over the past few weeks, I have had the duty and privilege to update many of you and Shared Governance groups on our collective efforts to stabilize our institution’s enrollment and finances. We have solid plans in place.
And now is the time to set in motion another transformation—a change in this institution’s leadership.
Today, I am announcing my decision to step away from my role as Chancellor of UWO, effective June 30, 2025, and continue as a faculty member and professor of Chemistry. This decision stems from my unwavering commitment to do what is best for UWO. The institution is on the right track, and it won’t lose a step through the leadership transition next summer.
Since I was appointed in the fall of 2014, I have always believed that a 10-year term is sufficient. I recognize there is no fixed or magic number. However, in my view, serving longer deprives the university of fresh vision and inventiveness it deserves.
I take pride in my service. I have been driven to enhance the experience of students and, working with everyone at UWO, set the best course for the institution through the steady headwinds challenging higher education.
In my remaining time, we have more to accomplish. I ask for your help.
We must see through those plans I referenced earlier and stabilize UWO’s enrollment and finances. I am also committed to helping us earn state funding to modernize university facilities and infrastructure, including a revitalized library, as prioritized by the Board of Regents. These goals will be my focus over the next eight months. They are geared toward achieving one outcome: a strong, sustainable UWO.
I want to thank students for trusting UWO to provide a world-class educational experience. Every day, we deliver. I want to thank the faculty and staff for their outstanding and loyal service to this university. UWO has courage and tremendous potential as we reimagine how best to serve our students, the region and the state, today, tomorrow and far into the future.
I will cherish memories made and the people I have met in this role over the past ten years. It has been the honor of my life. I am proud to be a Titan and look forward to contributing in new and different ways.
On with our good work.
Chancellor Andy Leavitt
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