Manohar Singh is scheduled to take over as chancellor of UW-Oshkosh July 1, 2025. (Photo courtesy Universities of Wisconsin)
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An administrator with a background in finance will be the next leader of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Manohar Singh will take over as chancellor July 1, the Universities of Wisconsin announced Tuesday. Singh is currently interim president of Western Connecticut State University. He will be UWO’s 12th leader.
Singh succeeds Andrew Leavitt, who has served in the position since 2014. Leavitt plans to return to UWO to teach chemistry after a year at another university.
“I am moved by the passion of UW-Oshkosh students pursuing their dreams, the devotion of faculty mentoring them with compassion and rigor, and the dedication of staff ensuring student success every step of the way,” Singh said in a statement. “They are the reason I believe in the promise of this university — and the boundless potential of what we can achieve together.”
“The engagement of the UW-Oshkosh campus community in the search process was significant, and the enthusiasm for what comes next was palpable,” UW regent Ashok Rai, chair of the search and screen committee, said in a statement. “We feel that Dr. Singh possesses the talent and skill to harness the energy on campus and lead it into a bright future.”
“As a first-generation college graduate, Manohar Singh believes in the power of higher education to improve lives and is a collaborative leader who builds consensus,” UW system president Jay Rothman said in a statement. “His background in finance and administration will further benefit UW-Oshkosh.”
Before being named interim president at Western Connecticut State in 2023, Singh was dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University. He has also held leadership positions at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, Penn State University Abington in Abington, Pennsylvania and Long Island University Post in Brookville, New York. Before that, he taught finance at several universities.
Singh earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Punjab University-Chandigarh, India, and a master’s degree in economics from University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He earned a doctorate in finance from Southern Illinois University.
Singh enters a university facing a budget crunch. In 2023, an $18 million budget deficit forced furloughs and job cuts impacting more than 210 people.
UWO created a new academic restructuring model in response. It is also closing its two-year Fox Cities campus at the end of this academic year.
“Dr. Singh’s ability to focus on student success while balancing the books will be critical at UW-Oshkosh,” UW regent president Amy B. Bogost said in a statement. “His track record in Connecticut navigating enrollment and financial challenges is impressive.”
Singh was one of four finalists for the position.
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