OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In his first public address since announcing he’s stepping down, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt talked with students about his resignation.
Leavitt shared with the university’s student government why he’s moving on.
“I just simply decided it was time. I really needed to step out of the role,” he said. “Move on to what’s next for me. But also create the opportunity for the institution to continue to move forward but under new leadership.”
Leavitt went into more detail about what his next steps will be after gives up his chancellor position next June.
“I’m going to go to another university for a year on an opportunity for me to re-engage with chemistry,” he explained. “And then the idea is that I will come back after that year as a professor of chemistry here at UW-Oshkosh.”
Leavitt said that he is not involved with the search for the next chancellor, and that UWO’s chief of staff, Alex Hummel, will oversee the search.
“Early December, we’ll have regents on campus for listening sessions,” Hummel said. “That’s the chance, the first chance, where the university community can gather, in fact even the broader community, and come forward and make their voices heard about what kind of qualities and characteristics they think the next chancellor must have.”
Leavitt tells us he is focused on continuing his work up until he leaves the university.
“The big thing, of course, is to make sure I’m handing off a really strong financially stable institution,” he said. “We’re going to work really hard on that in the next several months that come, we’re really close to achieving those goals.”
Leavitt continued, “The really fun project is going to be working towards securing the funding for revitalizing our library.”
Chancellor Leavitt’s final day will be June 30, 2025. UWO hopes to have a new chancellor in place by July 1.
Read Leavitt’s full letter announcing his plans to step down below:
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.
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