Provost Fernando Delgado to 'move on' from UW-River Falls after seven years

UW-River Falls Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Fernando Delgado was named Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Delgado has been at his current position at UWRF since 2009. As Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, he was the chief academic officer and oversaw the four colleges of the university.

Delgado said in an email that his decision to take the position at UMD came from the feeling that it was time to move on from UWRF.

"At some point it is time for new perspectives and new energy," said Delgado. "And I think the time is right for both UWRF and myself."

One of Delgado's responsibilities was budget planning and management. Through this he played a large role in dealing with the $250 million budget cut to the University of Wisconsin System in 2015 and the recent $1.5 million cut to the UWRF College of Arts and Sciences.

Delgado said that it would be silly to suggest that the recent budget cuts have not played a part in his decision to leave. However, he said, what has been the most difficult to deal with has been the public statements attacking the University of Wisconsin System mission and unfair criticism of the UWRF faculty and staff.

"All of that has been unnecessary and does not, I believe, serve the universities or citizens of Wisconsin well," said Delgado.

In the past, Delgado has not been quiet about his search for positions at other universities. In spring 2015, he was one of the four finalists to become president of Western Oregon University. This past semester he was also a finalist to become president at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota.

Delgado said that he is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff and administration at UMD  and to build on the many considerable strength that the university possesses.

UWRF Chancellor Dean Van Galen said in an email that he is grateful for Delgado's leadership during a period of significant change and challenge for the university, and he announced in an email to UWRF faculty that there will be a campus-wide gathering in the coming weeks to recognize Delgado for his service.

Delgado said that it's important for students to remember that despite all of the cuts and negativity, UWRF is still an excellent university made up of talented and caring people. His advice for faculty and staff at UWRF is to carry on and continue to foster a sense of community.

Delgado will begin at UMD on July 5. Galen said that he will be naming an interim provost in the coming weeks, and will seek the advice of officials on campus, including cabinet members, deans, and leaders from shared governance and Academic Affairs on who should fill this position.

"I am sure Chancellor Van Galen and the leadership will find an excellent next Provost to meet the challenges and find opportunities here at UWRF," said Delgado.