Michael Alexander, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, believes that it is essential to anticipate the need to educate students who lead positive change, have expertise and a passion for their work, and are curious and lifelong learners.
Since he was named chancellor in 2019, Alexander has led growth that has included expanding its faculty, staff and budget. This includes a headcount growth of 17.4%, with projections showing substantial growth again in 2024-2025. Since 2020, UW-Green Bay has seen enrollment growth of 19.8%, an average of 4% each year. In addition, under Alexander’s guidance, UW-Green Bay strategically reinvested $6 million in 2022-2023 in the student experience.
“We have achieved this growth at a time when enrollment in higher education has declined by expanding our view of who is a possible student,” said Alexander. “We believe a regional comprehensive university should provide value to all people who live in the region we serve.”
As a result, the university has grown in dual enrollment programs for high school students, traditional undergraduate enrollment, students who live on campus, students who commute, online and hybrid learners, and graduate students. In addition to the enrollment growth listed above, last year, UW-Green Bay also served 85,883 learners in non-credit work.
Alexander was instrumental in creating programs like Rising Phoenix to provide students the opportunity to receive an associate degree simultaneous to earning a high school diploma at no cost to them. The University’s work to become the first Wisconsin college to offer direct admission, where eligible students forego the obstacle of the college application process, is also being heralded as a game changer, as is the university’s First-generation Forward designation, which highlights UW-Green Bay’s efforts to support those in their families who are the first to attend college to ensure their degree success better.
“We have stopped trying to compete just for the students who are best prepared for college,” said Alexander. “Instead, we are working daily to expand the pipeline of students who see value in education beyond high school.”
As a result, Alexander’s leadership was recognized by the Green Bay Packers, and he was recently appointed to serve on the Packer board.
“I love what I do and consider myself very fortunate to do it,” said Alexander. “Simply sharing that love with everyone I interact with is something that is really important to me.”