UL SYSTEM BOARD NAMES NICKLOW NEXT UNO PRESIDENT

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System today named Dr. John Nicklow president of the University of New Orleans. Nicklow is the university’s provost and vice president of academic affairs.

“My bid for the presidency is based on the fact that we are accomplishing great things despite a lot of disruption,” Nicklow said in his interview. “I want the opportunity to do what I can to move UNO forward and if I didn’t think I could make an impact, I wouldn’t be sitting here today. I want to create a healthy, thriving university.”

The UNO Search Committee narrowed the field to two finalists, Mr. Andy Kopplin and Dr. John  Nicklow, after interviewing five semifinalists on UNO’s campus last month. Dr. Peter Fos retired as president at the end of 2015. Dr. Randy Moffett is serving as interim president.

Nicklow has only been at UNO since July but when surveyed about the presidential candidates, almost 80 percent of faculty supported his appointment.

“I think the Board made a wise decision as Dr. John Nicklow is well qualified,” UL System Interim President and Search Committee Chair Dan Reneau said. “We will work with him in the transition and continue to support his efforts to help UNO excel in the future.” 

During his interview, Nicklow outlined the importance of partnerships within the city and raising the university’s profile.

Nicklow earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Bucknell University and a doctorate in civil engineering from Arizona State University. He began his career as an environmental engineering officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and was responsible for design and construction of water supply and waste disposal facilities for American Indian communities.

He previously held the position of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University, as well as earlier appointments as assistant provost for enrollment management, associate dean of engineering and professor of civil engineering. Nicklow has been widely recognized at the university level, by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and by industry for his teaching and research. His research interests are focused on STEM education and on environmental and water resources systems optimization. He has published more than 75 articles and is the author of four books.

For more information on the search process, visit ULSystem.edu/UNOSearch.