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Cathy Sandeen, Ph.D., began her appointment as the third chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension on December 15, 2014.

As leader and chief administrator of UW Colleges and UW-Extension, Sandeen is responsible for the academic, financial, development and administrative aspects of both institutions. She reports to the UW System president and Board of Regents.

Sandeen previously was vice president for education attainment and innovation at the American Council on Education (ACE), the nation's largest and most visible association representing all sectors of higher education. She provided oversight for ACE's efforts to increase postsecondary educational attainment, capitalizing on her expertise in technology and higher education innovation, nontraditional students, prior learning assessment, and alternative credentials. She also oversaw ACE's Center for Education Attainment and Innovation, including major grant programs, the ACE credit recommendation service, veterans' programs and development of new initiatives.

From 2006 to 2012, Sandeen served as dean of UCLA Extension at the University of California Los Angeles. Serving more than 50,000 students per year, UCLA Extension is one of the nation's largest programs reaching nontraditional students with a variety of innovative programs.

Sandeen has more than 22 years of leadership experience at three University of California campuses. Prior to joining UCLA, she served for six years as vice provost and dean of University Extension and the summer session at University of California Santa Cruz.

Experience

  • –present
    Chancellor, University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin-Extension