
The Chancellor's Office
A message from the chancellor
Every time I read UW-Eau Claire's mission statement, I'm struck by the inspirational and audacious tone that charts our course. We strive for excellence at UW-Eau Claire. It's the foundation of all we do and the culture we create. Not only does excellence continue to be our measure and our goal, but since I began serving as the eighth chancellor on July 1, 2013, I've challenged our campus to remember three guiding concepts as we go about our work: public good, audacity and joy.
Public good
It is our purpose to enhance the public good through the graduates we produce, and through the scholarship, research and service our faculty and staff provide to our communities.
Audacity
This is one of my favorite words and I use it often. To me it means that we should dare to lead as a university and not be shy to share our successes with the outside world.
Joy
Joy is about connecting to what really matters. It's about having the opportunity to think — and do — big things. I eagerly invite you to help me create a campus community that is defined by the joy of working together in a mission that will literally change the world.
Guidepost goals
Our Guidepost Goals are the driving force behind our plans for UW-Eau Claire’s future:
100%
of students participating in at least one high-impact learning experience
90%
of first-year students retained to their second year
50%
of students graduating within four years
20%
enrollment of students of color, and elimination of the opportunity gap
Chancellor's Roundtable
Students and all members of the university community have an opportunity to discuss issues directly with Chancellor James Schmidt, members of his executive staff and other administrators at the Chancellor’s Roundtable.

Key initiatives
In support of our Guidepost Goals, we have created the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan; Academic Master Plan; and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Plan. Read the details below.

Our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan
The 2016-2020 Strategic Plan is a bold vision of UW-Eau Claire's future. Read about our commitment to the students of today and tomorrow.
Learn more
Investing in faculty and staff
The strategic plan begins with a commitment to invest in faculty and staff. In his April 13, 2017, blog post, Chancellor Schmidt talks about how he plans to achieve that goal.
Learn moreEDI reports and initiatives
The division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion coordinates efforts to increase recruitment and retention of students and faculty of color and from all other marginalized groups, improving the campus climate to ensure higher levels of success for all.
Learn more
Academic Master Plan
This plan sets forth how we are to continue our important work in the areas that define the academic life of the university and form the core of the Blugold experience.
Learn moreUW-Eau Claire long-range enrollment planning
In January 2014, Chancellor Schmidt appointed an Enrollment Management Task Force to look ahead 10 years and make recommendations that would help assure that UW-Eau Claire will be able to live according to its values, fulfill its mission as a regional comprehensive university and achieve the financial outcomes needed to stay viable. The group was asked to develop long-range enrollment goals for UW-Eau Claire focused on three areas: size of the student body, profile and mix of students, and undergraduate retention and graduation rates. Their report, developed after a semester of study and analysis, describes a university that is growing, even in the face of greater competition. The report describes a university where every member of the campus community takes responsibility for helping to recruit students. Read the Enrollment Management Task Force Report (password protected).