Announcements

Leadership transitions and department realignments

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am proud of the work we have undertaken over the past several years to reimagine our organizational structure and position UW-Whitewater for an even stronger future.

Through thoughtful planning, strategic investments, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we have made meaningful progress in advancing institutional excellence, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. These efforts have strengthened our ability to serve students, support employees, and fulfill our institutional mission, vision, and core values.

As we prepare for the next fiscal year, I am announcing several leadership transitions and organizational realignments that will take effect on July 1. These transitions are designed to continue to move key institutional priorities, deepen collaboration, strengthen accountability, and provide greater clarity regarding roles and responsibilities across the university.

While these transitions will result in changes to reporting structures and departmental alignments, the overall number of university divisions will remain unchanged. Currently, UW-Whitewater operates with four divisions. One existing division will transition to a department, while a current department will transition as a new division to support our commitment to strategic enrollment and retention, resulting in the university continuing to operate with four divisions.

The transitions outlined below reflect our commitment to aligning organizational structure with institutional strategy, ensuring we are well positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead while continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for our students and stakeholders.

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Strategic Enrollment, Retention, and Marketing

As an enrollment-driven university, our ability to recruit new students and retain current students is fundamental to our long-term success. As we advance toward our institutional goals of 13,000 students, 10,000 FTE, and an 82% retention rate, we must continue to align our organizational structure with the strategies necessary to achieve sustainable growth and student success.

During the fall semester, Jackie Briggs led a Strategic Enrollment and Retention Plan task force composed of campus stakeholders. The task force work was affirmed by the Chancellor's Cabinet and the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee with my approval for implementation on March 2, 2026.  

To support this strategic enrollment and retention direction, the current Department of Strategic Enrollment and Retention will now be the Division of Strategic Enrollment, Retention, and Marketing. This division will lead the university’s efforts to drive sustainable enrollment growth through innovative, data-informed recruitment practices, comprehensive retention initiatives, and targeted marketing strategies designed to increase enrollment across specific colleges, academic programs, and student populations. In conversation with campus leadership and shared governance, and to ensure our continued continuity in this space, I am appointing Jackie Briggs to serve as the division’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment, Retention, and Marketing. 

Throughout her tenure at UW-Whitewater, Jackie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and collaboration. Her institution-wide approach to enrollment and retention management has helped position UW-Whitewater for success during a period of significant change and increasing complexity in higher education. Jackie’s ability to build partnerships, leverage data, and align resources with institutional priorities makes her uniquely qualified to lead this critical area of the university.

The following areas will report to the Division of Strategic Enrollment, Retention, and Marketing: Academic Advising and Exploration Center, Admissions, Campus Tutorial Services and Testing Center, Career Services, Enrollment Marketing, Financial Aid, First Year Experience, Scholarships, Success Coaching and One Stop, and Veteran, Military and Adult Services.

This organizational alignment reflects our commitment to creating a seamless student experience from recruitment through graduation while advancing the university’s strategic goals and strengthening our position for the future.

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University Branding and Communications

Over the years, the role of University Marketing and Communications (UMC) has evolved far beyond traditional marketing functions. The team has become instrumental in establishing, strengthening, and protecting the UW-Whitewater brand, supporting the identities of our colleges and departments, and providing strategic consultation and communication expertise across both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. These efforts have been central to building UW-Whitewater’s reputation and advancing our standing among prospective students, alumni, employees, donors, and community partners.

To better reflect the breadth and importance of these responsibilities, University Marketing and Communications will be renamed University Branding and Communications (UBC). The department will be led by Jeff Angileri, who will report directly to the Chancellor as Chief Branding and Communications Officer.

University Branding and Communications will be responsible for advancing strategies that elevate UW-Whitewater’s visibility, strengthen brand awareness and affinity, and safeguard the university’s identity and reputation. Through strategic communications, storytelling, creative services, digital engagement, and reputation management, the division will continue to amplify the impact of UW-Whitewater and support institutional priorities.

For the past 16 years, Jeff has served as a trusted voice and ambassador for UW-Whitewater. Under his leadership, the team has earned the respect of colleagues across both campuses for its excellence in storytelling, creative services, crisis communications, website strategy, and institutional brand management. Jeff’s deep understanding of the university, coupled with his strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, positions him well to lead this important department as we continue to strengthen and elevate the UW-Whitewater brand.

This organizational alignment reinforces our commitment to telling the UW-Whitewater story, protecting and enhancing our reputation, and ensuring that our brand remains a powerful asset in advancing the university’s mission and strategic goals.

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University Advancement

Earlier this year, the UW-Whitewater Foundation and the University convened a task force to identify opportunities and challenges in our shared organizational approach. Currently, the Foundation President oversees areas responsible for alumni and university relations, dividing that position’s focus at a time when fundraising has become increasingly critical to the advancement of our university. 

Our strategy will be to streamline responsibilities in this space. Katie Kuznacic will continue to have a joint position serving as the UW-Whitewater Foundation President and Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement. This retitling in the University Advancement space will increase the bandwidth required to focus on high-level philanthropic efforts that strategically advance institution priorities including our collective commitment to student success. This is especially important in ensuring the success of our current $50 million comprehensive campaign, the largest in UW-Whitewater history. Katie will oversee employees whose work centers on managing fundraising campaigns, securing gifts and ensuring the Foundation’s fiscal health.

Under Katie’s leadership — in collaboration with our outstanding UW-Whitewater Foundation Board — we have established sustained, historic fundraising momentum. I have every confidence that with this refined focus, we’ll achieve even greater levels of success.

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University Relations and Alumni Engagement

We have identified opportunities to more meaningfully engage some of our most passionate supporters — individuals who help advance UW-Whitewater’s mission of transforming lives through education.

Achieving this goal requires a unified, institution-wide approach to communication, engagement, and relationship-building with our more than 110,000 alumni, as well as other key constituents, including current and retired employees, donors, friends, and community members.

To support this vision, the reimagined Department of University Relations and Alumni Engagement will be led by Ann Stadler, who currently serves as Assistant Chancellor for University Marketing and Communications. Ann’s title will be updated to Assistant Chancellor for University Relations and Alumni Engagement.

Ann brings extensive leadership experience across both the public and private sectors, with demonstrated expertise in constituent relations, stewardship, marketing, strategic communications, event management, and donor engagement. Under her leadership, the University Relations and Alumni Engagement team is well positioned to strengthen connections with our stakeholders, expand engagement opportunities, and advance the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

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I affirm my confidence in and appreciation for the colleagues who are part of this realignment. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment to our mission, vision, and core values are instrumental as we continue to strengthen the university and position us for future success. The state of our university is strong!