Chippewa Valley Times

Tracy Drier has been named permanent vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire after holding the interim position for the past four months. Drier replaces Grace Crickette, who retired from UW-Eau Claire after serving as vice chancellor since 2020.

“Since stepping in as interim vice chancellor, Tracy has continued to provide strong leadership on several major initiatives in process,” says Chancellor James Schmidt. “I have appreciated her leadership in preparing the university to take over responsibility for The Sonnentag project when the building opens this summer.”

Schmidt noted that Drier was UW-Eau Claire’s lead person in the Universities of Wisconsin systemwide financial assessments conducted by Deloitte while maintaining her role leading Human Resources, as well as Budget and Resource Planning.

Drier has been at UW-Eau Claire since 2019. Before becoming interim vice chancellor for finance and administration, Drier served in various leadership positions, including chief human resources officer, executive director of finance and administration, and director of budget and resource planning.

Drier says she is honored to be named the new vice chancellor and is excited to continue working with the finance and administration team while collaborating with divisions across campus. “I will work hard through these exciting and challenging times we face to support the success of our students, faculty, staff and community,” Drier says. “During my time in the interim role, I have enjoyed getting to know each of the departments in Finance and Administration through a lens outside of budget and human resources, and I am excited to continuing learning more each day.”

Drier will lead multiple units at UW-Eau Claire: Budget and Resource Planning; Children’s Nature Academy; Facilities; Human Resources; Procurement and Strategic Sourcing; Risk Management, Safety and Sustainability; University Accounting; and University Police.

Prior to coming to UW-Eau Claire, Drier worked at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and Clifton Larson Allen in the Minneapolis area. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Augsburg University and her MBA from the University of St. Thomas. She is a certified public accountant.

Two Mayo Clinic physicians told University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates on Saturday that their dreams can be realized if they embrace the transformative power of partnerships.

Rachel Kohn started signing at commencement in 1988 and interpreted more than 170 commencement ceremonies for 72,000 Blugolds, including three ceremonies on her final day.

Heinselman, who has more than 30 years of higher education experience in student affairs, has served as interim dean since August 2022.