
The Eau Claire Muse
Episode #1: James Schmidt – UW-Eau Claire Chancellor
Show Notes: Introduction Chancellor Jim’s Overall First Impression
Positive Impressions:
The Community and University Culture
Eau Claire lived their culture that has been here for decades
The business community and civic community really saw Eau Claire as being a game changer and saw that the University could help them achieve that
Less Positive Impressions
The facilities needed to make the transformations possible
By working together and sharing facilities, the community and University have created something beautiful with those connections
After hearing student and community members talk about how impactful the research from the university is, he was stunned at the conditions of the science/research building, Philips Hall
If given the choice between great faculty and staff and great facilities, its a no brainer then he would choose the faculty and staff. But it is important to note that they require better working conditions to let their passion for teaching and research to grow and to do the work well
He took his family here after taking the job as Chancellor and experienced th footbridge and the UWEC stairs to be christened to what our students encounter everyday. Both of these structures contribute to the active community
Things that stood out to Chancellor Jim about Eau Claire that relate to innovation, forward thinking progress, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem
He was impressed that a lot of young people in their thirties were giving away their resources to give back to the community
Impressed by the story of Jamf Software, which was started by a music major who recognized a problem
UWEC is sting in their science and business programs, but also have a surplus of creative people
One other thing that struck him was the story of the closing of the tire plant being turned into an incubation place for entrepreneurs by a Blugold
2026, What Does Chancellor Jim hope for Eau Claire from a university standpoint?
National Leader in Health and Wellbeing
Nationally Known Research
New Facility on Campus for Research
Known for being a leader in Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion
Anti-Racist Campus
In 2026, what would Chancellor Jim go back and tell the 2021 Eau Claire?
“If you can dream it you can do it” -Walt Disney
We are stronger together, we are smarter together, and we can accomplish a whole lot more together if we only have the courage to dream, and then know that we can accomplish it
We shouldn’t sell ourselves short
Dream big