University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt will resign at the end of the academic term and continue as a faculty member and chemistry professor at the university.
Leavitt will leave the role on June 30, 2025. The announcement follows harsh criticism from students and faculty after UW-Oshkosh laid off more than 200 staff amid persistent budget challenges. In a referendum this spring, 72% of faculty voted that they lacked confidence in Leavitt's leadership.
“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,” Leavitt said in a statement.
“Since his first day as chancellor, Chancellor Leavitt has embraced the challenges that come with leadership,” UW System President Jay Rothman said in a statement. “He is passionate about ensuring UW Oshkosh is positioned for a vibrant future, knowing its success is vital to the region and our state.”
The search for UW Oshkosh’s next chancellor will begin immediately.
Ella Hanley is the college news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as associate news editor and wrote for the city and state news desks. She is a fourth-year journalism and criminal justice student. She has written breaking news and in-depth on Trump administration funding cuts to UW-Madison and local Madison people and organizations. Her work reporting on Yung Gravy has been featured in the New York Times. Follow her on Twitter at @ellamhanley.
