Source: University of Wisconsin Madison
The Board of Regents selected Dr. Tonjanita L. Johnson to serve as the next President of the Universities of Wisconsin
In a unanimous vote, the Board of Regents selected Dr. Tonjanita (Tonja) L. Johnson to serve as the next President of the Universities of Wisconsin. Dr. Johnson currently serves as the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Alabama System, bringing extensive higher education leadership experience to her new role, which officially begins on or around January 1, 2027.
Dr. Johnson expressed deep gratitude for the Board's decision, emphasizing public higher education's vital role in driving innovation, economic vitality, and opportunity across Wisconsin. Regents Kyle Weatherly and Ashok Rai commended her strong visionary leadership, proven systemwide experience, and commitment to uniting campus communities to move the university system forward.
Prior to her leadership at the University of Alabama System, Dr. Johnson held executive leadership positions at the University of Tennessee System, Stony Brook University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and Jackson State University. Interim President Renée Wachter will continue serving until Dr. Johnson assumes office, after which Wachter will return to leading UW-Superior.
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Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.