Dr. Edwin A. Martini brings more than two decades of public higher education experience to his role as Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Known for his collaborative, transparent, strategic, and mission-driven leadership style, Dr. Martini has built a career centered on expanding access to higher education, enhancing student success, and fostering innovation while maintaining strong stewardship of resources. Centered on the fundamental belief that higher education offers the best opportunity to transform lives, families, and communities, he is committed to engaging faculty, staff, students and community partners to develop shared solutions and partnerships that advance the vital role of public regional universities.
Before assuming his role as Chancellor, Dr. Martini led a series of significant institutional transformations at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Western Michigan University. At UWO, he led a comprehensive academic realignment that addressed an $18.5 million operating deficit in under two years and led institutional strategic planning efforts that integrated enrollment and student efforts with academic initiatives. He collaborated with campus and community partners to enhance regional engagement and secure approval for the $137.5 million Polk Library Commons project in the 2025–27 state biennial budget. Focused on a strong commitment to engaging stakeholders and careful stewardship of resources, Dr. Martini launched a new college, expanded regional partnerships, and guided the completion of a redesigned General Education program.
Dr. Martini earned his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland and his B.A. from Pitzer College in Claremont, California. A Minnesota native, he grew up near Minneapolis and spent considerable time in Wisconsin.
