Sole candidate for UW System president job drops out

Jim Johnsen, University of Alaska System president and sole finalist for the University of Wisconsin System president position, has withdrawn from consideration, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report.

Johnsen stated the search committee has important process issues to work out. He was unanimously identified as the best candidate by the search committee, though his selection was not without controversy as the process to find a replacement for retiring UW System President Ray Cross was completed almost entirely behind closed doors, opponents to Johnsen’s selection argued.

Johnsen also faces controversy back in Alaska, where the University of Alaska faculty union has called for his resignation as president.