In 2014, Mark Mone became the ninth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) – the only public research and access mission institution in Wisconsin. He transformed UWM into a force multiplier through path-breaking partnerships, advancing equity through education and addressing societal issues through research and strategic re-invention.
Under his leadership, the university was named a top-tier research institute (R1) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education three times since attaining Research 1 status in 2016. In 2015, UWM was named one of the nation’s top universities for community engagement as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2019, UWM became an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity designated campus, renewed again in 2024. In 2017, UWM became Wisconsin’s first DOE higher ed Green Ribbon Award winner.
Dr. Mone co-created and served as founding chair of the Higher Education Regional Alliance – a partnership with 17 colleges and universities plus 10 economic development and community partner organizations – to increase the number of college graduates and address the growing need for highly-skilled talent in the state. He co-founded and co-leads M-Cubed – a critical initiative of the three major public education institutions (UWM, Milwaukee Public Schools, and Milwaukee Area Technical College) that jointly serve more than 120,000 students – to close the achievement gap. As a founding partner in the Moon Shot for Equity‘s inaugural launch in the Milwaukee region, he is a collaborative leader in eliminating student equity gaps in education. He expanded UWM’s innovation through the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, launched the Connected Systems Institute and co-created the Northwestern Mutual Data Sciences Institute, among other partnerships.
Chancellor Mone co-led the creation of the UW System-wide Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin to solve the world’s water challenges. The collaborative, led by UWM, connects the 13 Universities of Wisconsin institutions through shared curricula and research.
Guided by the university’s 2030 action plan, UWM’s momentum is evident through financial stewardship, aligning and streamlining academic programs, increased student support through the Milwaukee Tuition Promise and visionary capital projects. Those include a state-of-the-art Chemistry Building, Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Center, the Lubar Entrepreneurship and Welcome Center, School of Freshwater Sciences, the Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex, and integrating health care profession facilities. The student, research, and capital projects support was enabled by Chancellor Mone’s leadership of the Made in Milwaukee, Shaping the World comprehensive campaign, doubling the previous campaign, achieving over $251 million and continuing with record fundraising years.
Chancellor Mone serves on the boards of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities’ Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, Horizon League Athletic Conference, The Water Council, Milwaukee Succeeds, Milwaukee Film, and BizStarts Milwaukee. He is an active member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Dr. Mone was named one of “100 Milwaukee-area power brokers” for 2024 by the Milwaukee Business Journal, and one of “Wisconsin’s 275 most influential people” by Biz Times, a Milwaukee business news publication.
Dr. Mone is a thought leader and frequent speaker on closing the achievement gap, partnerships, and the critical economic role of public research universities. He has been involved in vital national conversations about the value of a college degree.
A first-generation graduate, Chancellor Mone earned his B.A. in Organizational Management from Central Washington University during his initial career as a chef, food and beverage director and senior leader in hospitality operations. He earned an M.B.A. from Idaho State University, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Organization Theory from Washington State University.
Chancellor Mone is an avid cyclist, athlete and a gourmet cook. He is married to Dr. Sara Swanson, and they have two adult children, both graduates of public universities.
