Biography
Thomas Gibson has served as chancellor of UW-Milwaukee since July of 2025. Previously, he served as chancellor of UW-Stevens Point from 2021 to 2025 and as a professor in the School of Education. Prior to that, he served as vice president for student affairs and vice provost at Bowling Green State University, associate vice president for student affairs at Ball State University and associate dean of student development at York College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Eastern Connecticut State University, a master’s in education from the University of New Haven and a doctorate in educational leadership in higher education administration from Johnson & Wales University.
Thomas Gibson became chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) in July 2025, following a distinguished career in higher education leadership. He brings a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, community engagement and financial sustainability. Chancellor Gibson is focused on advancing UWM’s three-part mission of performing powerful research, offering access to higher education and engaging with the community in meaningful ways.
Prior to joining UWM, he served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 2021 to 2025, where he also served as professor of education in the School of Education. At UW-Stevens Point, he led the university through a period of strategic growth and transformation, achieving four consecutive years of enrollment increases, eliminating an $8 million structural deficit and securing a record-setting $10 million gift to establish the Sentry School of Business and Economics. He also championed the creation of the Central Wisconsin AI Resource Center and the Skyward Internship Center, both designed to enhance workforce readiness and regional economic development.
Earlier in his career, Chancellor Gibson served as vice president for student affairs and vice provost at Bowling Green State University, where he led initiatives that improved student retention and raised over $8 million in philanthropic support. He has also held leadership roles at Ball State University; York College and Queens College, both part of the City University of New York; and the University of Connecticut at Stamford. He has taught courses on topics related to higher education administration, including student retention, and he currently serves as a faculty member of the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education.
A proud first-generation college graduate, Chancellor Gibson holds a doctorate in educational leadership in higher education administration from Johnson & Wales University, a master’s degree in education from the University of New Haven and a bachelor’s in mass communication with a minor in English and contemporary drama from Eastern Connecticut State University. In recognition of his leadership and service, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by his undergraduate alma mater in 2023.
Aligned with his educational background and past experience, Chancellor Gibson is a tenured professor in administrative leadership in UWM’s College of Community Engagement & Professions within its School of Education.
Chancellor Gibson understands the important role UWM plays in our city, state and beyond, and his leadership is grounded in a belief that higher education is a transformative force for individuals and society alike.