President

Universities of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Universities of Wisconsin is seeking a President who will champion world-class education, research, and outreach, and advocate for student success and inclusive excellence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep experience in leading a large, complex university system, partnering with government and community leaders, and advancing shared governance across diverse stakeholders.

The successful candidate will hold an advanced degree (terminal degree preferred) and will lead with strategic

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; terminal degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be an accomplished leader with a proven record of executive leadership in a large, complex organization and exceptional stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the mission of higher education, experience building relationships with government, business, and community leaders, and the political acumen to work effectively across diverse perspectives.
• Have experience leading strategic change, partnering with governing boards, and fostering shared governance through collaborative engagement with diverse constituencies.
• Be deeply committed to student success and access for the diverse students served by the Universities of Wisconsin.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic change

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Academic leadership

Education

Advanced degree

Terminal degree preferred

Job description

Overview

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin seeks nominations and applications for the position of Universities of Wisconsin President. The next President should be a strong advocate for academic quality, research and innovation, student success, inclusive excellence, public accountability, and shared governance. The Board of Regents seeks an imaginative, energetic, visionary leader with exceptional leadership abilities to champion and amplify the Universities of Wisconsin reputation for world-class education, research, and outreach.

The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, the 13 public universities are 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 Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.

Responsibilities

• Be an accomplished leader with a proven record of executive leadership in a large, complex organization and exceptional stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources;
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the mission of higher education, experience building relationships with government, business, and community leaders, and the political acumen to work effectively across diverse perspectives;
• Have experience leading strategic change, partnering with governing boards, and fostering shared governance through collaborative engagement with diverse constituencies; and
• Be deeply committed to student success and access for the diverse students served by the Universities of Wisconsin.
• An advanced degree is required, with a terminal degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; terminal degree preferred.

Position Profile and Information

The full position profile can be found on the AGB Search and the Universities of Wisconsin websites. For additional information, please visit wisconsin.edu.

Application Timeline

The Presidential Search and Screen Committee will begin the review of applications immediately and continue work until an appointment is made. Only completed applications received by Monday, August 31, 2026, are assured full consideration.

Application Materials

A completed application includes:

• A letter of interest addressing the strategic objectives and qualifications identified in the leadership profile;
• A current curriculum vitae; and
• Contact information for five professional references, who will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of the candidate.

The Universities of Wisconsin is being assisted by AGB Search. Application materials should be submitted through the AGB Search portal system here: Universities of Wisconsin President Search.

Please direct all nominations and expressions of interest, or any questions regarding the application process, to Jennifer Ferrera at [e-mail]. All nominations and expressions of interest will be treated in confidence.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except those identified as final candidates. See Wis. Stat. § 19.36(7). Employment requires a criminal background check. It will also require applicants and references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and harassment.

Leadership and Contacts

The Universities of Wisconsin presidential search is being led by:

Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D.
Managing Principal and CEO
AGB Search, LLC
[e-mail]
[phone]

Melissa K. Trotta, Ed.D.
Associate Managing Principal
AGB Search, LLC
[e-mail]
[phone]

Matthew J. Kilcoyne
Principal
AGB Search, LLC
[e-mail]
[phone]

The University of Wisconsin System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment.

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