Chippewa Valley Times

James Schmidt, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, will leave his position at the end of June and take on a new role as the president of James Madison University starting July 1. The public research university located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley has an enrollment of about 23,000 students. Schmidt expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead James Madison University as their seventh president.” He aims to engage with the campus community as well as the residents of Harrisonburg.

In Wisconsin, Mike Carney will assume the role of interim chancellor at UW-Eau Claire while the search for a permanent replacement is underway. Jay Rothman, President of the Universities of Wisconsin, acknowledged Schmidt's contributions during his tenure, noting his focus on partnerships and student academic enrichment: “In the community, his emphasis on partnerships positioned the university for success."

During his 12-year tenure at UW-Eau Claire, Schmidt launched several initiatives and partnerships designed to reinforce the institution's standing and address the needs of students and the community. These included collaborations with the Mayo Clinic and the Rural Health Innovation Alliance, a project intended to tackle rural healthcare challenges with potential national applications.

Schmidt's efforts brought substantial investments for infrastructure developments at UW-Eau Claire, such as a new Science and Health Sciences Building and The Sonnentag sports facility. David Minor, president and CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “He has been a catalyst for transformative growth, seamlessly connecting public and private partners to bring bold visions to life.”

Throughout his leadership, UW-Eau Claire earned several accolades, including a high ranking among public regional universities in the Midwest and recognition for sustainability in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges. Schmidt's dedication to creating a vibrant academic and community environment was also reflected in the development of new programs and facilities aimed at enhancing student life and learning.

Praising Schmidt's transformative impact, Dr. Rick Helmers of the Mayo Clinic Health System stated, “The partnership between UW-Eau Claire and Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin began with Chancellor Schmidt’s vision of how working together, we could transform healthcare education and research in the Chippewa Valley.”

Student Body President Sam Consiglio noted Schmidt's commitment to students, saying, “Throughout my four years here, Chancellor Schmidt has prioritized our students and put them at the forefront of his leadership and decision-making."

As Schmidt prepares to move on, he expressed confidence in the leadership capabilities of Mike Carney, stating, “Mike Carney is a well-respected and long-tenured leader on campus.” Carney, who is also interim provost, admired Schmidt's innovative leadership and said, “Chancellor Schmidt is the most innovative and influential leader I’ve worked with during my academic career.”

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