Akey headshot

Dr. Lynn Akey
Chancellor, UW-Parkside

Dr. Lynn D. Akey is an engaged leader committed to educational excellence and student-focused success. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, her broad knowledge of higher education is shaped by administrative appointments in academic and student affairs, extensive professional engagement, and experiences crossing several sectors of the higher education landscape. Her passion centers on the transformative power of education to impact lives, communities, and the world.

Dr. Akey assumed leadership as the seventh chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in January 2024. Her vision for UW-Parkside includes advancing the institution’s mission to meet the education needs of learners in Southeast Wisconsin and beyond. She advocates for a shift from being a “provider” of education to becoming a “partner” in education, aligning with regional needs to produce community and workplace leaders who apply future-focused ideas and solutions in the real world. Her emphasis on new educational pathways includes the expansion of accelerated completion programs, workforce-paired high-impact experiences, and innovative credentials.

Previously, Dr. Akey served as the founding Vice President for the Division of Student Success, Analytics, and Integrated Planning at Minnesota State University, Mankato. There, she led with expertise in strategic and integrated planning, student enrollment, development and success, financial sustainability and resource management, data-informed decision-making, and assessment of student learning and accreditation. Under her leadership, the University advanced a comprehensive, student-focused approach to success, increasing enrollment, retention, and completion rates while reducing success gaps for historically underserved populations.

Dr. Akey’s professional engagement is extensive at the national, regional, and local levels. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP), including two terms as Board Chair. Additionally, she has been an integrated planning coach and facilitator for the SCUP Planning Institute and a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps since 2014. She has also served as an evaluator for the Performance Excellence Network, aiding organizations in improving results, fostering innovation, and sustaining operations.

Recognized as a leader in higher education, Dr. Akey has provided consultation for universities, community, and technical colleges in areas of academic and student affairs, student success, integrated planning, and data analytics.

Dr. Akey earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota, her Master of Arts degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Truman State University.

CHANCELLOR OFFICE EVENTS

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Chancellor Updates and News

  • BizTimes

    Forward focus: Expanding the impact of higher education


    Read about Chancellor Akey in the BizTimes Milwaukee's article titled Forward focus: Expanding the impact of higher education. She discusses her engaged approach to leadership and her passion for higher education.

    Read More

  • WGTD Logo

    CHANCELLOR AKEY INTERVIEWED ON THE WGTD MORNING SHOW


    On April 15, Chancellor Akey joined the WGTD Morning Show to discuss her background, career journey, and her vision for the future of UW-Parekside.

    Listen Now!

  • Kenosha News Logo

    OUTLOOK 2024: UW-Parkside advances with a forward focus
     

    The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a special place to live, learn, work, and lead.

    We provide access to a college degree and experiences that ensure graduates are workforce career-ready. As a top-ranked four-year university for social mobility, we provide a small school experience with big school opportunities.

    At UW-Parkside, we are focused on providing access to a college degree, with undergraduate students paying the lowest cost in tuition and fees among the Universities of Wisconsin.

    Read More

  • Impact of Leadership Podcast

    CHANCELLOR AKEY JOINS THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP PODCAST


    In every leadership transition, there are great things and challenging things. John Maxwell says, “The bigger the obstacle, the bigger the opportunity.” Which is a nice phrase until you’re facing challenges.

    Dr. Lynn Akey is the new Chancellor of The University of Wisconsin Parkside, and she is a leader you would follow. She’s accomplished, passionate, inquisitive, and courageous.

    In this conversation, we get to know Parkside’s new leader and hear how she’s approached the transition into the role of Chancellor.

    Listen Now!

UW-Parkside 2025 Strategic Framework has a bold vision to create more talent for our region, our state, our nation, and our world. Our future goals will continue to align with the hallmarks of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside: student success, academic excellence, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

Our strategic framework is establishing a clear path for the university's and its graduates' future success. We are committed to providing the opportunity for a university degree to a diverse group of individuals.

2025 Strategic Framework

262-595-2211  |  chancellor@uwp.edu

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