U Of I Interim Chancellor Wilson Promoted to Executive VP Post

The woman who ran the University of Illinois' largest campus after its chancellor abruptly resigned has been promoted to be the No. 2 administrator in the university system. Barbara Wilson will become executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs of the three-campus system. The newly created position is second to President Timothy Killeen in the university's hierarchy.

Wilson, 58, has been interim chancellor at the Urbana-Champaign campus since Phyllis Wise resigned as chancellor in 2015 over the use of private email to conduct public business.

“The challenges facing the entire U of I System and public higher education are going to require us to make decisions together that will impact the university for generations to come,” Wilson said. “I hope my perspective both as a long-time faculty member and as a campus administrator will help us make choices that foster academic excellence as well as sound stewardship of our resources. I know I have a lot to learn and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Killeen praised Wilson's work during a "turbulent'' year. The new position comes with a $450,000-a-year salary. Killeen's salary is $600,000.

“I am delighted that she will now share her many talents to serve the entire U of I System, and elevate our standing as a global leader in education, innovation and service to the public good," he said in a statement.

Wilson fired two head football coaches and an athletic director after one coach, Tim Beckman, was accused of mistreating players. She will assume her new duties on Sept. 26, the day Robert Jones will take over as new chancellor of the Urbana campus. 

Wilson will serve in a desingate capacity pending approval by U of I Trustees at their Nov. 10 meeting in Chicago.