Research funding is in jeopardy. AI tools are being used for student recruitment. And UW’s president had a “transformative” experience in a Lander sweat lodge.
Jeff really appreciate your thorough coverage of these events and the opportunity for folks to weigh in. It’s challenging in a small town to get great information about what’s happening locally and you are hitting the ball out of the park on all fronts!!! Thanks for everything you’re doing!
I wonder whether UW would be more successful if Dr. Seidel focused adjustments a little more on his solipsism, and less on his parasympathetic system. Below is an incomplete list of people in UW leadership positions who left their posts during Ed’s tenure as UW president. It was generated by a colleague. Some were fired, generally for reasons unexplained to campus. Others moved on or retired. Turnover in upper leadership at small public universities is normal. They are happy hunting grounds for happier or wealthier institutions - administrative churn is to be expected. I submit the list is unusual in its breath, depth, personality type and short timeline (2020 – to date). It suggests something awry. Dates of resignation, firing or retirement follow each individual’s name.
Kate Miller, Provost, June 30, 2020; Ray Reutzel, Dean of College of Education, July 1, 2020; Shannon Polk, administrative executive to Board of Trustees, February 1,2021; Ed Synakowski, Vice President (VP) for Research and Economic Development, June 3, 2021; Shannon Polk, Director of Business Operations for Piri Research Center. July 1, 2021; Tom Koczara, VP for HR, Sept 20, 2021; Emily Monago, UW Chief Diversity Office October 1, 2021; Mary Ivanoff, chief of staff to UW President, Feb 1, 2022; Camila Okpodu, Dean of College of Arts & Sciences June 1, 2022; David Jones, Dean of College of Health Sciences, July 1, 2022; Scott Thomas, Dean of College of Education, April 10 2023; Sandy Root-Elledge, executive director of Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, October 2023; Brant Schumaker, director of WWAMI medical education program, October 2023; Barbara Rasco, Dean of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dec 15, 2023; Jacob Warren, Dean of College of Health Sciences, Jan 30, 2024; Tim Wiseman, chief risk officer, February 2024; Curtis Cannell, deputy risk officer, Feb 2024; Danika Salmans, chief internal auditor, April 1, 2024; Becky Garcia, interim chief internal auditor, June 1, 2024; Ben Blalock, CEO of UW Foundation, June 30, 2024; Clint Alexander, Dean of College of Law, July 1, 2024; Zebadiah Hall, VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion July 1, 2024; Ryan O'Neil, Dean of Students Aug 26, 2024; Nellie Haddad, UW ombuds, Aug 2024; Kevin Carman, Provost and executive VP, Oct 1, 2024; Kim Chestnut, VP for Student Affairs Nov 11, 2024; Robert Aylward, VP for IT and UW CIO, Nov 15, 2024; Cameron Wright, Dean of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Apr 1, 2025; Scott Turpen, Interim Provost, Summer 2025; Jim Ahern, VP for Graduate Education.
I am unsure that a sweat lodge ceremony, however transformative, will change this pattern.
Grad student applications are up because they are applying EVERYWHERE hoping to find a place with remaining funding. AI isn't going to help if nonresident apps are still down. Those students pay the bills.
It's more than the university president who is the problem, it's the trustees' years and years of failed leadership which reflects on the people who put them there too.
Jeff really appreciate your thorough coverage of these events and the opportunity for folks to weigh in. It’s challenging in a small town to get great information about what’s happening locally and you are hitting the ball out of the park on all fronts!!! Thanks for everything you’re doing!
Thank you so much Lynne. It's been a struggle to keep up lately so it's great to hear the effort is appreciated
Sweats are transformative. They help guide us to be better people.
I wonder whether UW would be more successful if Dr. Seidel focused adjustments a little more on his solipsism, and less on his parasympathetic system. Below is an incomplete list of people in UW leadership positions who left their posts during Ed’s tenure as UW president. It was generated by a colleague. Some were fired, generally for reasons unexplained to campus. Others moved on or retired. Turnover in upper leadership at small public universities is normal. They are happy hunting grounds for happier or wealthier institutions - administrative churn is to be expected. I submit the list is unusual in its breath, depth, personality type and short timeline (2020 – to date). It suggests something awry. Dates of resignation, firing or retirement follow each individual’s name.
Kate Miller, Provost, June 30, 2020; Ray Reutzel, Dean of College of Education, July 1, 2020; Shannon Polk, administrative executive to Board of Trustees, February 1,2021; Ed Synakowski, Vice President (VP) for Research and Economic Development, June 3, 2021; Shannon Polk, Director of Business Operations for Piri Research Center. July 1, 2021; Tom Koczara, VP for HR, Sept 20, 2021; Emily Monago, UW Chief Diversity Office October 1, 2021; Mary Ivanoff, chief of staff to UW President, Feb 1, 2022; Camila Okpodu, Dean of College of Arts & Sciences June 1, 2022; David Jones, Dean of College of Health Sciences, July 1, 2022; Scott Thomas, Dean of College of Education, April 10 2023; Sandy Root-Elledge, executive director of Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, October 2023; Brant Schumaker, director of WWAMI medical education program, October 2023; Barbara Rasco, Dean of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dec 15, 2023; Jacob Warren, Dean of College of Health Sciences, Jan 30, 2024; Tim Wiseman, chief risk officer, February 2024; Curtis Cannell, deputy risk officer, Feb 2024; Danika Salmans, chief internal auditor, April 1, 2024; Becky Garcia, interim chief internal auditor, June 1, 2024; Ben Blalock, CEO of UW Foundation, June 30, 2024; Clint Alexander, Dean of College of Law, July 1, 2024; Zebadiah Hall, VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion July 1, 2024; Ryan O'Neil, Dean of Students Aug 26, 2024; Nellie Haddad, UW ombuds, Aug 2024; Kevin Carman, Provost and executive VP, Oct 1, 2024; Kim Chestnut, VP for Student Affairs Nov 11, 2024; Robert Aylward, VP for IT and UW CIO, Nov 15, 2024; Cameron Wright, Dean of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Apr 1, 2025; Scott Turpen, Interim Provost, Summer 2025; Jim Ahern, VP for Graduate Education.
I am unsure that a sweat lodge ceremony, however transformative, will change this pattern.
Grad student applications are up because they are applying EVERYWHERE hoping to find a place with remaining funding. AI isn't going to help if nonresident apps are still down. Those students pay the bills.
It's more than the university president who is the problem, it's the trustees' years and years of failed leadership which reflects on the people who put them there too.