Milwaukee City Wire

Chancellor Mark Mone has announced his decision to step down from his role at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and return to teaching after the Spring 2025 semester. In a message shared with the UWM community, Mone expressed that this timing allows for a smooth transition to new leadership.

"Being your chancellor is as rewarding as it is challenging, and it’s a role that requires round-the-clock attention," Mone stated. He noted that by the end of the next academic year, he will have served as chancellor for 11 years, which is twice the average tenure of college presidents today and longer than any previous UWM chancellors except founding Chancellor J. Martin Klotsche.

During his tenure, Mone highlighted several key accomplishments, including UWM's Carnegie R1 status in 2016, its designation as a Carnegie Community Engaged University in 2015, APLU’s Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation in 2019, and the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Award in 2016. The university also received record philanthropic support recently, including the largest gift in its history.

Mone underscored significant capital and operational successes such as the opening of various facilities like the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex. Additionally, many other facilities have undergone significant renovations.

"We also have withstood a global pandemic and managed ongoing budget cuts and enrollment challenges," Mone added. He emphasized UWM's role in creating vital partnerships in areas such as data science, connected systems, health care, and water management.

Mone also pointed out UWM's founding role in initiatives like the Higher Education Regional Alliance and M-Cubed partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Area Technical College. These efforts aim to ensure student success and provide a talent pipeline for greater Milwaukee.

Reflecting on his time at UWM since arriving in 1989 when it was a mid-ranked R2 university, Mone praised the steadfast work of predecessors, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community supporters for achieving far more than what dwindling state support could enable.

"I am committed to finishing strong," Mone affirmed. He mentioned upcoming initiatives such as new partnerships with area technical colleges and corporations like Microsoft and Titletown Tech. The university is also advancing philanthropic initiatives focused on student success and progressing on constructing a new research vessel named Maggi Sue.

In closing his message to the community, Mone expressed deep appreciation for their support throughout his tenure: "Thank you for the privilege of serving as chancellor of this important institution."

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone

PhD Chancellor