The University of Wisconsin System took a major step forward in the merger between UW Colleges and UW-Extension Thursday, as it released the names of four finalists for the new chancellor position, which will oversee both institutions.

UW System spokesperson Doug Bradley said conversation about merging the two institutions began when System President Kevin Reilly took office last year. Reilly formerly served as UW-Extension chancellor.

"His combination of knowing at least one institution intimately and the fact that there were two interim chancellors [led to Reilly recommending] a single chancellor for both institutions," Bradley said. "That's one top-paid official that we're eliminating."

UW Colleges comprise the system's 13 two-year institutions, as currently constituted, while UW-Extension provides system resources and programs to Wisconsin citizens not directly affiliated with one of the 26 campuses.

Amid recent budget constraints on the state, Bradley noted the merger would not only save money, but also allow for a more efficient system through closer institutional collaboration.

"On the positive side, this is a story that if we hadn't had all the distractions we've had over the last couple of months, might have been getting a little more recognition," Bradley said.

Interim UW-Extension Chancellor Marv Van Kekerix is the only internal UW System candidate, with the other three hailing from Auburn University, Utah State University and the Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland).

"I'm really pleased to be in that final pool, particularly after looking at the credentials (of the other finalists)," Van Kekerix said. "This is probably the most significant change structurally in the system since 1971, so it's exciting."

Utah State Vice President for University Extension Jack Payne, a finalist for the UW position, said he was excited to visit Madison this month and possibly join what he referred to as "one of the leading public universities in the country."

"This integrated leadership model that they want to put together is really ground-breaking," Payne said. "It's similar to what we do at Utah State, but to have that on a much larger scale at Wisconsin, to bring in the UW System is very unique. It's very entrepreneurial."

Payne said he was "delightfully surprised" to be considered a finalist for the job, and added he felt UW's consideration affirmed his views on where education should be going.

"I think that today if you look at the growth of continuing education, it's because there [are] demands on society for lifelong learning," he said. "What we become is a knowledge economy, and so the value of a state or a country is in the educational capital of its citizens, or how much education and knowledge they have."

The four finalists will now be evaluated by a special Board of Regents committee, which will formally interview the candidates alongside President Reilly in Madison Nov. 30.

"What we'll do is we'll bring these four finalists into the state for visits, presentations, conversations and interviews," Bradley said. "The expectation is by the December board meeting, we'll have selected the nominee and we'll recommend him to the full board."