For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT – Thomas Gibson officially began his duties as the 15th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s three campuses on Jan. 11.

Gibson said he is focused on three key goals: enhancing academic excellence; expanding diversity, equity and inclusive excellence; and increasing enrollment and growth.

“These three imperatives will guide our institution into the future,” Gibson said.

He will spend the next few months “operationalizing” these priorities, learning more about what UW-Stevens Point is currently doing, and building on existing successes.

Gibson served as vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost at Bowling Green State University near Toledo, OH, 2016-20.

In that role, he advocated for the academic and social development of students, devised institutional policies, engaged in strategic planning, led student success efforts and helped set record student retention.

He was associate vice president of student affairs at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. He held several roles at York College, City University of New York in New York City, including associate dean for student development.

Like nearly half of UW-Stevens Point students, Gibson was the first in his family to attend college

“Helping more students succeed is a top priority for me,” he said. “We will leverage the collective strength of our institution, the engaged teachers and scholars who serve as faculty and staff, in our shared purpose: supporting student success.”

Gibson holds a bachelors degree in communication from Eastern Connecticut State University; a masters in education from University of New Haven, CT; and a doctorate in educational leadership in higher education at Johnson and Wales University, Providence, RI.