Edwin Martini, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UW-Oshkosh, has been approved by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents to become UW-Eau Claire’s ninth chancellor starting July 1, with his last day at UWO being June 19.
“It was incredibly difficult,” Martini said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at UWO, and I feel that there is work left to do here. But the UW-Eau Claire position is a really good fit for me personally and professionally; it’s an opportunity I did not feel I could pass up.”
Previously, Martini held multiple leadership roles at Western Michigan University and joined UWO in July 2023 after a nationwide search was completed in spring that year.
Over the past almost three years, he has led work on academic realignment, integrated enrollment and student success strategies with academic planning, as well as guided a reimagining of the Polk Library.
Chancellor Manohar Singh said that he and Martini will work with the university leadership to ensure a “smooth transition” and continuity of academic priorities, while details on an interim provost will be announced once finalized.
Martini said the achievements UWO reached during his tenure were the result of a collaborative effort.
“While I am proud of a number of things we’ve accomplished during my time here, I’m most proud of how we’ve accomplished those things,” he said. “From my first day, I tried to lead with transparency, integrity, and collaboration, and any successes that we’ve had during my time here are the result of people coming together to solve hard problems.”
Singh said Martini’s appointment at UWEC is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership and contributions to higher education.
“I am grateful for his leadership and partnership, and I know many across campus have benefited from his thoughtful, collaborative approach,” Singh said in the email on April 22.
Karen Walsh, regent and a chair of the search and screen committee, said she is thrilled to see Martini’s skills and leadership at UWEC.
“He brings a collegial and collaborative approach to leadership, and he is poised to advance the university’s mission on day one,” Walsh said. “I’m also excited that Ed [Martini] becomes our latest homegrown chancellor, which is an indication of the talent we cultivate at the Universities of Wisconsin.”
Martini said UWO has made him ready to take on the role of Chancellor at UWEC.
“All the experiences I’ve had at UWO have prepared me very well to take on a chancellor position,” he said. “I’m grateful to have had the chance to lead major initiatives, and to be involved with projects including athletics, fundraising and facilities, which not every provost gets a chance to do.”
Martini said that his time as provost under the leadership of Singh and former UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt taught him a lot.
“They’re very different people with different personalities, but one of the things they have in common is that they both have big hearts and care deeply about people,” Martini said. “Not everyone gets to see those sides of the Chancellor, but I was able to see it up close. I’ll remember that because it’s important to keep in mind the human impact that our decisions often have.”
Martini said that what he’ll miss most at UWO is the people because of how the university and the community accepted him.
“Since my very first interview applying for the job, I have felt incredibly welcome on this campus and in this community,” he said. “Everyone has been incredibly kind in wishing me well in my move to Eau Claire. I’m particularly humbled at how many students I’ve heard from. Given how little direct interaction provosts often have with students, I was surprised at how many students actually knew who I was and that I was leaving, let alone telling me that I would be missed. It’s very moving.”
