The newly appointed chancellor is on a visit at the University of Wisconsin-Superior this week for an opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, students and the community as she took a week off her current duties as Dean of Business School at Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri, to have a feel for UWS.

Dr. Renee Wachter says that UW-Superior remained her university of choice in a list of other different universities around the nation offering the same position.

“UWS was very appealing, because the mission of the institution is comparable to Truman University, and because of the people I met on campus during my first visit,” Wachter said, excited to begin as chancellor.

Wachter, aware of the issues state employees are facing with the Walker Bill, is confident for the future of UW-Superior. According to Wachter, the situation in Wisconsin is not as worse as it is in other states in the country.

“In Pennsylvania, they are facing a 50% budget cut from their public education spending,” said Wachter after admitting the duties she has to face following the recent Walker Bill. Wachter notes that, “We have challenges, and we need to be innovative at overcoming these challenges."

Aware of the impact the plan will have on UW-Superior by separating Madison from the UW-System, Wachter worries about access to higher education in the area, and is thinking about solutions for the university to give people access to education in a different way.

“We need to look upon our business efficiency, and provide resources to students with fundraisers for scholarships," Wachter says.

At UWS, the voice of students needs to be heard, and Wachter will do everything to make herself closer to the student body, “by going to games, festivals, international events that are going on around campus.” 

When looking at the opportunity being given to her at UW-Superior, she realizes of the importance of the task coming ahead, and prepares for a smooth transition from Missouri to Wisconsin.

“Superior is unique in many ways," she said. “We need to build on the university’s strenghts that are faculty and the community."

Wachter’s schedule at UW-Superior for the week remains busy, and looks like a preview of the position she will fill in on July 1. She plans on meeting with donors to the university, the athletics department and also a real estate agent on a more personal note. Dr. Wachter will take on the chancellor position at UW-Superior starting July 1.