Robert Brinkmann prepares to become the next Chancellor of UWSP

Robert Brinkmann was announced as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Feb. 25, 2026. His leadership will start July 1, 2026. 

Brinkmann has held the position of dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illinois University since 2022. He focused on collaborative sustainability initiatives.

Returning to Wisconsin, Brinkmann is coming back to the University of Wisconsin system as chancellor rather than as a student.

“I’m from Wisconsin originally,” said Brinkmann. “It’s a real honor to come back to my home state and give back in a different way. I’m very excited about Stevens Point.”

Brinkmann graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology from UW-Oshkosh and a master’s degree in geology and a Ph.D. in geography from UW-Milwaukee. 

Brinkmann has held multiple sustainability-focused positions throughout his career, bringing more than 15 years of leadership in higher education.

His previous roles include vice provost for Scholarship and Research and Dean of Graduate Studies at Hofstra University, where he worked on initiatives to improve academic growth. 

“I’ve been involved with sustainability my whole career. I’ve been working in that area, to try to improve sustainability in the communities I’ve lived in, the sustainability of campuses, and anything I can do to enhance our university’s reputation in that space,” said Brinkmann.

UWSP is an environmentally responsible university with a long-standing legacy of sustainability. Brinkmann has the experience to further expand that work.

With the path already paved by other leaders, Brinkmann said he hopes to “continue the good work that the previous leaders of the university have done on everything from student success to growing enrollment.” 

With a new community and new students, Brinkmann plans to develop genuine relationships with students, not just as chancellor but on a personal level.

“I try to eat lunch in our cafeteria almost every day. I’ve taken classes with students, and I’ve had an opportunity to meet them in a very different way,” said Brinkmann.

Students’ struggles are consistent yet evolving, and Brinkmann hopes to support students on campus and in the classroom.

“I think that the students need a champion for themselves.” said Brinkmann. “They need somebody who will listen to them, hear where they’re at, what their concerns are now, because they’re different. They keep changing. We’re in strange times right now, and I want to make sure that we’re reactive to the needs of the students that we have.” 

Abigail Holmes

News Reporter

Abholmes@uwsp.edu