Guided by Purpose: Pratima Gandhi Leads UW–Stevens Point Forward

Guided by a lifelong belief in the power of education, Interim Chancellor Pratima Gandhi is helping UW–Stevens Point stay true to its mission. 

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and the UW System Board of Regents asked Gandhi to take on the role, and she officially became interim chancellor on July 14, 2025. 

Gandhi assumed the position following the departure of former Chancellor Thomas Gibson, who left to serve as Chancellor of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. 

Gandhi has spent her life immersed in higher education. Many of her family members have worked in the field, including her father, who was a professor. Growing up surrounded by a strong belief in the value of education helped shape her own passion for it

“Our family has always valued higher education,” Gandhi said. “I really like higher education. You have to really like higher education to be in higher education, because you’re transforming so many people’s lives.” 

Before becoming interim chancellor, Gandhi served as UW–Stevens Point’s vice chancellor for finance and administration, a position she began in 2020. 

Her professional journey began after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University.  

She followed her husband, Dr. Nimish Gandhi, to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she worked in the treasury management department and with the Virginia Tech Foundation, focusing on investment work. She also served as an internal auditor at Virginia Tech. 

When her husband’s career took them to Peoria, Illinois, Gandhi accepted the role of chief financial officer at Bradley University. 

Her path eventually led her to Stevens Point, a community she and her husband had long felt connected to. Her husband is an alumnus of the Sentry School of Business, and even when their careers took them elsewhere, they made an effort to return. 

“Stevens Point has always been in our hearts, because we have always come back to this area. My husband loves this area, and with his host family being here, we’ve just seen it change and grow over the years,” Gandhi said. 

Now, as interim chancellor, Gandhi continues to build on the “Purpose Made Possible” plan, first implemented by former Chancellor Gibson. 

This five-year strategic plan focuses on improving the University’s financial health and operations, expanding educational opportunities, modernizing technology, and overall strengthening the well-being and sustainability of UWSP 

The university is currently in year four of the five-year plan, and Gandhi encourages students to visit the university website for more information. 

Gandhi brings to her role a strong, student-centered mindset that aligns with the university’s tagline, “Discover Your Purpose.” 

“My philosophy is firmly student success,” Gandhi said. 

Gandhi believes that through UW–Stevens Point’s internship programs, research opportunities and career-readiness initiatives, every student can find success. 

Gandhi does not plan to apply for the permanent chancellor position. When the next chancellor is selected, she will return to her role as vice chancellor of finance and administration. 

“I am in a great position as interim chancellor, because when I go back to my vice chancellor position, I can really support the chancellor in a totally different way,” Gandhi said.  

In her new role, Gandhi is learning to balance the expanded responsibilities that come with leading the university. 

“I was busy before — I’m even busier now,” Gandhi said. Her new role, she said, is a much more expansive one that involves working directly with every facet of the university and the community. 

Outside her work as interim chancellor, Gandhi enjoys gardening, reading and walking through Schmeeckle Reserve and Stevens Point’s many parks. 

A local favorite of hers is Belts’ Soft Serve, where her go-to order is the zebra-striped cone. 

On campus, Gandhi enjoys walking through buildings and visiting the Edna Carlsten Art Gallery in the Noel Fine Arts Center. While she said she cannot pick a favorite spot on campus, she looks forward to walking through the new Sundial, something she and her husband used to do together. 

While on campus, Gandhi also appreciates interacting with students and encourages them to stop and say hello. 

“This campus is a very special place.” Gandhi said “It provides you with so many different opportunities. Truly, truly take advantage of discovering your purpose, because as I’ve said before — and I firmly believe — this is where dreams can come true.”