"When I read the profile of UW-Parkside I thought, 'This sounds like a very special place…' " With those words, Deborah Ford assumed her new duties as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside last week.

Welcome.

You are correct in your assessment - UW-Parkside is a special place and one of the gems of southeastern Wisconsin. We have been proud to see it grow over the years - not only physically as it has expanded its campus facilities, but in reputation as well. Under the direction of former Chancellor Jack Keating the university added seven new academic programs. It has served Racine and Kenosha well and has a history of working to connect with the needs of both communities - business as well as academic.

We are particularly proud that UW-P has been - and continues to be - a diverse campus and one of the leaders in the entire state system in opening doors to minority students.

Like all universities, Parkside faces challenges, particularly now in these difficult economic times. We hope Chancellor Ford continue Keating's initiatives in community involvement and build her own legacy as well. Ford has a reputation as an energetic leader, and it will take energy to reinvigorate Parkside's academic programs. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Louisville and has two decades of administrative experience at Spalding University in Louisville, and the University of West Florida, where she was vice president of student affairs.

We hope her getting-to-know-you time is fruitful - and brief - and she is able to move on to her to-do list of strengthening programs, improving retention and graduation rates, strategic planning and accreditation goals in short order.

Welcome to Wisconsin.