Chancellor Miller making acquaintances, media rounds in first weeks on the job

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay welcomed its newest leader Friday, Aug. 1, when Gary L. Miller became the sixth chancellor in University history.

Most recently the chancellor of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Miller says UW-Green Bay presents a tremendous opportunity at a critical time.

“I think this is a real transformational time in American higher education,” Miller told WBAY, Channel 2 anchor Kathryn Bracho during a live newscast interview Aug. 18. “I really believe partnerships — both for education and economic development — in cities is the real cutting edge of public higher education. And so this is a great opportunity, because Green Bay wanted this University here. And there’s great commerce, great educational programs — and so we hope to blend those to help the human condition in Wisconsin, and educate a lot of people to be citizens.”

Miller’s first weeks have been marked by a flurry of activity as he meets with campus and community stakeholders and members of the news media. His get-to-know-the-campus efforts included sending a survey to all faculty and staff, as well as certain boards and key figures in the Green Bay community. Those results, Miller said, will help guide his priorities and vision moving forward.

“This is a fabulous University,” Miller said during an in-studio interview with Local 5 News. “It has an imperative, just like every other public university has now, to educate students for the 21st century global economy, and get them in a position to be nimble in their careers and be good citizens. And that’s what we want to do at Green Bay, so we’ll work really hard this fall to develop a vision.”

Miller also is getting used to Northeastern Wisconsin — and preparing for a climate that’s a bit different from what he experienced down south. “The weather’s perfect so far,” he quipped during one TV interview. “I don’t understand what the problem is.”

Miller will address faculty and staff for the first time during fall convocation Wednesday, Aug. 27. A summary of his local media appearances thus far is available on the UW-Green Bay Chancellor website.