EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire announced Wednesday that its chancellor, James Schmidt, will be stepping down to become James Madison University’s next president.

What You Need To Know

  • UW-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmit will be stepping down to become the president of James Madison University in Virginia

  • He will continue serving through June 30

  • Micheal Carney , who is the current interim provost, will become the interim chancellor until a permanent chancellor is chosen

He will continue serving through June 30. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced that Micheal Carney will serve as the university’s interim chancellor until a permanent chancellor is chosen.

Schmidt has served as UW-Eau Claire’s chancellor since 2013.

“In the community, his emphasis on partnerships positioned the university for success,” said Rothman. “On campus, he maintained his focus on enriching the student academic experience. He was an active champion of higher education in the region, and it served that campus community extraordinarily well.”

Carney currently serves as UWEC’s interim provost and vice chancellor, and is an alumnus of the university.

“I’m confident that Mike will provide faculty, staff and students, steady and sure leadership in the months to come as the selection process for a new chancellor is ongoing,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt is the latest in a series of chancellor resignation announcements within the UW system, with the resignations of the UW-Milwaukee and UW Oshkosh chancellors also taking effect this summer.

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