(May 12, 2023) Janet Schrunk Ericksen has been named the seventh chancellor of the University of Minnesota Morris. Ericksen’s appointment was approved by the University’s Board of Regents this morning and is effective May 15, 2023.
“Janet is a thoughtful, enthusiastic, and collaborative leader,” said University of Minnesota president Joan Gabel in her announcement of Ericksen's appointment. “She brings to this role deep experience and impressive accomplishments across her career, including a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and an unparalleled commitment to, and passion for, UMN Morris and the Morris community. She has built effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and students, works with a high degree of integrity, and has a strong commitment to the value of consultation and shared governance.”
An internationally recognized scholar of medieval literature, Ericksen began her career at UMN Morris in 1998 as an assistant professor of English. Since then she has held a variety of administrative roles, including vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean, director of the Honors Program, chair of the Division of the Humanities, and interim chair of the Division of the Social Sciences. Additionally, she has been an active participant in University of Minnesota governance, including as a University Senator and two terms as a member of the Faculty Consultative Committee.
Erickson is grateful and excited to build on the rich history and strong academic foundation of the Morris campus. “It’s an amazing institution on a beautiful campus, one that provides an extraordinary college education and experience, with academic excellence and abundant enrichment opportunities open not to a few elite students but to all students. I can’t imagine a university with a mission and purpose I could embrace more fully than that at UMN Morris. I know I have a lot of work to do—we have a lot of work to do—but I firmly believe we can together make the future better.”
Ericksen succeeds Michelle Behr, who retired in June 2021.
About the University of Minnesota Morris
The University of Minnesota Morris is a nationally ranked top 10 public liberal arts and sciences university. At UMN Morris, students can belong, succeed, and thrive as global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship. UMN Morris graduates are career-ready scholars, creative problem solvers, and community contributors. Learn more at morris.umn.edu or call 888-866-3382.