Minnesota university administrator to lead UW-Parkside as chancellor
An administrator from a Minnesota university will take charge of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, officials announced Tuesday.
Lynn Akey has served as vice president for student success, analytics and integrated planning at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 2019. The UW Board of Regents unanimously approved her hire in a closed-door meeting Tuesday.
Akey will earn $265,000 annually. She becomes chancellor of the 4,300-student university Jan. 2.
“Lynn’s extensive experience in student success makes her a perfect fit for UW-Parkside,” UW System President Jay Rothman said in a statement. “She deeply understands how strategic planning, enrollment management, and the student experience work together.”
At the Mankato campus, Akey is credited with a new student success approach that led to increased re-enrollment, retention and graduation rates, according to UW System. She served a variety of administrative positions at the school since 2000.
Akey earned her a bachelor's degree from Northeast Missouri State University/Truman State University and her doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, according to her resume.
Other finalists in the search included Phyllis King, the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and vice provost for partnerships and initiatives at UW-Milwaukee, and Felicia McGinty, the director of engagement and outreach for Higher Education Resource Services in Denver.
Akey was a finalist earlier this year in the search for UW-Whitewater chancellor.
“Dr. Akey is ready to build upon the great foundation left by Chancellor Debbie Ford,” UW Regent Kyle Weatherly, who chaired the search committee, said in a statement. “UW-Parkside has made great strides in helping students progress toward graduation in recent years and our new chancellor will continue that momentum.”
Ford took over as chancellor at Indiana University Southeast earlier this year.
Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyMeyerhofer.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lynn Akey of Minnesota State Mankato to become UW-Parkside chancellor
