RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has appointed longtime faculty member and administrator Wes Chapin as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. 

Chapin will begin in that position March 11. He will fill the position being vacated by current Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs David Travis, who has been named the next president of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Travis will start in that position this summer. 

Chapin, of Woodville, has a long history at UW-River Falls. He is an alum and worked as a faculty member in political science and international studies before becoming an administrator. He has been active in shared governance, including serving three times as Faculty Senate chair and serving on numerous committees. He also has been in a leadership role in three strategic planning efforts.

Since 2013, Chapin has worked as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and graduate studies. In that position, he has been the lead academic administrator responsible for program audit and review, learning assessment, institutional accreditation and administrative support for faculty and staff development. He also has served as dean of graduate studies, director of institutional research, director of international education, coordinator for learning effectiveness, and as the university’s accreditation liaison officer. 

In addition, the Grants and Research Office, the Undergraduate Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activity (URSCA) Office, the McNair Program, Outreach and Continuing Education, the Honors program, and the Falcon Scholars program, among other programs, have reported to him. Chapin said he is honored to serve in his new role. 

“As a first-generation student, I know firsthand how UW-River Falls changes lives and opens doors to new opportunities. I am looking forward to working with faculty, staff, students, and community members,” he said. 

Chapin’s history at UW-River Falls and his work in many parts of the university make him a strong fit for the interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs position, Chancellor Maria Gallo said. 

“Dr. Chapin’s longstanding commitment to our mission and pursuit of our strategic plan goals, combined with his skills in accreditation, program review and planning, plus learning assessment, will be great assets to our leadership team and the university,” Gallo said. 

Travis has been provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UW-River Falls since June 2018, helping to lead the development of numerous programs, including the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, nearly a dozen academic programs, and the launch of a First Year Experience Program beginning in fall 2024.

Prior to UW-River Falls, Travis began his academic career at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1994 as an assistant professor of geography and rose through the ranks to become dean of the College of Letters and Sciences.

Travis said he is proud of his work at UW-River Falls on numerous issues and is excited about his new opportunity at Lake Superior State University. He credited faculty, staff and students at UW-River Falls for working closely together to overcome challenges during his tenure. 

“It has been an honor to serve as the provost and vice chancellor at UW-River Falls for nearly six years,” Travis said. “The dedication of the faculty and staff to our students has left me in awe at times and it has been a true privilege to work with these amazing people. We have accomplished a lot during my time here and I’m proud of how the campus has come together to make these changes happen, including helping each other through difficult times.”

Gallo credited Travis for his dedicated work during his time at UW-River Falls. 

“On behalf of the entire university, I extend my thanks to Dr. David Travis for his years of service and wish him all the best in his new leadership role,” Gallo said.

Submitted by UW-River Falls