Fellow Warhawks,

I am grateful for the privilege to serve you and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as its next chancellor. During my campus visit, I experienced passion, commitment, and love for this great university. The energy was resounding and the collaborative spirit was evident. As a first-generation college student, I know the value and impact of a quality educational experience. This impact has resulted in nearly 30 years of professional service and leadership to the academic enterprise. I am grateful and excited to now continue that service and leadership through UW-Whitewater’s mission and core values in a community of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. Please join me in expressing tremendous gratitude for interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. Abruptly assuming the role of interim chancellor is an incalculable challenge and his service and dedication to the university is honorable. John’s impressive reputation is well-known and I am inspired to work with him. Knowing he is here made this position even more appealing to accept. I eagerly accepted this position out of appreciation for UW-Whitewater’s rich history, what is in place today, and boundless confidence in our future.

The Whitewater and Rock County campuses have vast strengths.

Our leading advantage is you, our students and employees. UW-Whitewater has an excellent reputation and in many ways sets a standard for others to follow. After meeting many of you during my interview, I can now see the university’s secret ingredient. It’s you. UW-Whitewater is well-known for its first-rate academic programs, celebrated co-curricular opportunities, and exceptional athletics. The university licenses more teachers than any other college or university in Wisconsin and boasts the state’s largest business college. Services for individuals with disabilities are nationally renowned. The university proudly serves a higher-than-average number of first-generation students and typically enrolls international students from about 40 countries. Amongst the UW comprehensive institutions, UW-Whitewater has the most diverse student body, and in terms of retention and graduation rates of our underrepresented students, it is routinely the top-ranked state comprehensive, or near the top. UW-Whitewater’s economic impact to the region tops a half-billion dollars annually, and Warhawk alumni continue to advance the region, state and country.

I am committed to leading a culture of trust, honesty and integrity.

 I believe in shared governance, diversity and opportunity, service and social responsibility, and the Wisconsin idea. When you step on the soil of our campuses, you should feel confident, safe, hopeful, listened to, recognized, empowered and welcomed. We must ensure everyone knows where we are going and how they are essential to get us there. To do so, stability must outshine uncertainty. Hope must shatter pessimism. And compassion must overcome indifference.

Today, UW-Whitewater is a leader in preparing students with the outstanding skills that make them strong candidates for 21st century careers, community engagement, and advanced learning. We strive to be a national and international leader in providing transformational and empowering educational experiences. I will never lose sight of this vision and I will work tirelessly to achieve it.

With appreciation and purple pride.

Corey King

Incoming Chancellor