Schools
UW-Waukesha Finalizes Dean Search, Chooses Muir
Arizona administrator to begin work at Wisconsin two-year college, pending confirmation by the UW System's Board of Regents.
An Arizona college administrator chosen to become the new dean of the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha said he’s prepared to deal with the state’s budget tightening and plans to ensure that the school stays involved in the community.
Harry P. Muir, a vice president at Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ, has been nominated to replace Patrick Schmitt, who left UW-Waukesha last year. Pending confirmation next month by the UW System Board of Regents, Muir will begin his tenure as dean in July.
Muir said he is aware of the pressure to reduce education funding in Wisconsin.
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“I’m not trying to minimize the situation in Wisconsin at all, but unfortunately it’s tough everywhere,” Muir said, prior to Friday’s announcement of his appointment, about the prospect of working at UW-Waukesha. “This may be a new opportunity that Wisconsin education hasn’t had before and that’s flexibility.”
Muir said he is impressed with the college, especially in its wide variety of degree options and the different opportunities it has for the students.
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“There’s a lot going on at that campus for the benefit of the community,” Muir said. “And that’s quite frankly what I’m all about.”
Muir has more than 35 years of experience working in university teaching and administration. Most recently, he served as vice president of instruction at Pima Community College, where he has been employed since 1994.
He oversees full-time, adjunct faculty, division deans, counselors, librarians, staff and departmental operations of the instructional area.
In 1982, Muir obtained his doctorate degree in higher education administration at Kansas State University. He also has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education that he received at University of Kansas.
“I listen to people and am willing and able to move forward,” Muir said. “Things are changing so rapidly over there (Wisconsin) day to day, sometimes maybe even more than the weather.
“If that’s the case, you got to have somebody in that position that knows how to connect with the community. Also somebody who can pull people together and work as a team.”
UW-Waukesha students Jennifer Meyer and Adam Kopp contributed to this report.
