On April 29, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby sent an email to faculty, staff and students of UWL regarding the search for the next provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. This search comes in the wake of current Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Betsy Morgan announcing her June 2026 retirement last September.
“After careful consideration and review of extensive campus feedback, I have concluded the search without selecting a candidate. This was not a decision made lightly, but I believe it is important to wait for the right fit rather than move forward prematurely,” Beeby said in the email.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Sandy Grunwald will be assuming the role of interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Grunwald’s appointment to the position will last one year and will be effective July 6.
Grunwald first started with UWL as an assistant professor of biochemistry in 1997 before becoming an associate professor in 2001 and a full professor in 2008. She first became involved with the academic affairs unit in the provost’s office in 2011 before being appointed to her current position as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs in 2018.
In an interview with The Racquet Press from October 2025, Morgan said she felt that it was, “a good time to move on,” stating she, “wanted to make sure to overlap with a new chancellor and make sure that was a good working relationship before I left.”
A committee lead by chairs Greg Ormes and Megan Litster oversaw the search for provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, which officially began in January 2026 with the position posting becoming available to the public. The search committee held open forums on campus for candidate finalists Dr. Laretta Henderson, Dr. Joann Olson and Dr. Walter “Walt” Jacobs on April 6, April 13 and April 14, respectively, but ultimately did not move forward with any candidate.
UWL will re-open the search for a permanent provost in the fall.
