The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is experiencing a period of transition, as a new chancellor is set to join the university in February.

The approval of Nebraska Wesleyan Interim President Joe Gow by the UW Board of Regents earlier this month to become UW-L's chancellor spells fresh changes for the university.

Gow's appointment comes as UW-L struggles to promote its Growth and Access Agenda, which the regents approved in August. The initiative aims to increase access, quality and diversity, and UW-L has instituted its own in-house tuition hike to try to achieve the goal.

In addition, Cary Heyer, director of university relations at UW-L, said it is an exciting time on campus because the university is also anticipating its 100th anniversary in two years.

"Competitively, we know that we're at a pretty unique position," Heyer said. "People understand the value of an education from UW-L."

Gow told The Badger Herald that he is committed to keeping up with the university's "strong interest" to create a more diverse campus. In addition, Gow said UW-L is on the right track with the growth it is trying to accomplish.

"When you're as successful as the people up at UW-L, you don't want to do anything dramatic," Gow said.

In the meantime, UW-L's Growth Agenda will open up 1,000 additional seats for students, create more than 100 faculty positions and allow for more financial aid and student services.

Heyer said in addition to growing and allowing more students to attend UW-L, the plan helps to maintain a quality of education that has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report.

"We're preserving quality," Heyer said. "To do that, you have to invest in students, faculty, programs and infrastructure."

While the regents approved the Growth plan, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's spokesperson Matt Cantor previously told The Badger Herald that while diversity is an admirable goal, Doyle is skeptical raising tuition is the way to achieve it.

Nonetheless, Regent Brent Smith, who served on the chancellor's search committee, said he was excited about Gow's ability to bring extra funds into the university — money that will help in diversity efforts.

"We looked and thought he would do well with external groups … and with the fundraising activities with the legislators," Smith said. "We all thought he would receive a tremendous response."

Heyer agreed, saying the campus community is excited for the transition into new leadership.

"By all accounts, he's going to be an incredible fit," Heyer said. "We're confident that he can do it."