By Kristina Goetz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

She may have been the newcomer, but Nancy Zimpher displayed a commanding presence when introduced as president of the University of Cincinnati Tuesday morning.

Walking down the center aisle of the grand ballroom at Kingsgate Conference Center, Zimpher donned Bearcat red and black as she passed UC alumni, administrators and professors who eagerly waited to hear about her plans to lead the university.

PHOTO GALLERY

Dr. Zimpher is introduced Tuesday

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR NANCY ZIMPHER

QUESTION: What makes you qualified to be president of the University of Cincinnati? ANSWER: I have had a lot of academic experience and a lot of faculty experience. I was a full professor and did a lot of faculty governance, led a lot of committees. In my work at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I have managed a large budget. I have managed a large faculty. I worked in the areas of setting vision and strategic planning. So I think I have the requisite administrative credentials, and I view myself as an academic, a professor - and a student. Q: What impressed you about UC? A: Excellent faculty distinguishing themselves worldwide for their creative pedagogy and research, especially in problem-solving and applications of their discoveries. A diverse student body with a broad range of interests and goals. A place of opportunity. A high-quality learning environment. World-renowned scholarship, innovation, community service. And the freedom of intellectual interchange flourishes. Q: You quickly rose to prominence and a position of power in Milwaukee. Do you think that will also happen in Cincinnati? A: I don't use the term power to describe myself. What I think happened in Milwaukee was that people were so ready for UWM to expand its reach and to become a fully functioning member of the community that I really just played the role of, if you will, lifting a bushel basket off a very bright, shining candle. That is already known here. People know and love the university, but I'm sure we can extend our reach. Q: What is the first thing you'll do at UC? A: I will be getting around, doing a lot, talking to a lot of people and trying to get settled. My husband and I need to get here. And use those early meetings as a building block for thinking about how we would do the strategic planning and who ought to be involved. I want to listen. That's what I really have to do, listen and read. Q: How does it feel to be back home in Ohio? A: Wonderful. The whole geographic environment of Cincinnati is very similar to my hometown in southeastern Ohio. I just feel incredibly at home and excited.

REACTION

"Because of (her strong academic background), she is going to be able to put us in a position to be better recognized for what we already have and be able to improve on what we already have. She is going to be a great ambassador for this university." - Richard Karp, chair of UC faculty senate "It's about time that we let everybody in the community - male or female, black or white - be part of the process. The fact that we have a woman following a man in the job means that we have a board that's flexible and understanding.'' - Minette Cooper, Cincinnati city councilwoman "Her hiring is very positive for the university. Her background and her resume and her leadership are nationally known." -Stan Chesley, attorney and UC graduate "She's done a magnificent job with promoting the school from the ground up. She enhanced school spirit. People appreciate that." - David Brock, junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and assistant editor of the Leader "As a board member at Marquette University in Milwaukee, I know Dr. Zimpher by her very good reputation. We share a strong commitment to the city and I look forward to welcoming her to Cincinnati and collaborating with her on projects that will impact the quality of life here." - Father Michael Graham, president of Xavier University "I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with her in serving the educational needs of the Greater Cincinnati community." -Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, president of the College of Mount St. Joseph "Nancy is a visionary leader. She has a real commitment and dedication for higher education. It's good to have her back in Ohio." - Bobby Moser, OSU vice president for agriculture and university outreach "I am ecstatic about the appointment. We have someone who has a vision of how to re-position this university within the community, and she has a proven track record of doing this in the past.'' - Mitchel D. Livingston, UC vice president for Student Affairs and Services "Her credentials speak for themselves. I really look forward to getting to work with her." - Ron Ricks II, UC student body president

INFOGRAPHIC

• Nancy Zimpher vs. Joseph Steger

Shortly after UC's Board of Trustees unanimously approved her as the school's 25th president, Zimpher spoke publicly for the first time about why she decided to join the university's ranks.

"I believe that urban universities, and especially one of the stature of the University of Cincinnati, will become the prototypic 21st-century university," she said.

After five years as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she is familiar with declining state appropriations and knows the importance of connecting the university to the community.

With a strong vision, she said, UC can accomplish great things.

Zimpher succeeds Joseph A. Steger, who will leave office Sept. 30 after 19 years as president. Under his leadership, UC's campus was transformed, with $1 billion spent on infrastructure in the past decade alone.

In 1989, he unveiled a master plan to bring academic facilities up to standards and to add research centers in key areas.

"The UC master plan just went to the top of my must-read list," Zimpher said after Steger presented her with a UC hard hat. "I'm carrying it home today and will read it from cover to cover."

As president, Zimpher will earn an annual salary of $280,000, $5,000 more than Steger, and will be provided use of a university-owned house on Lafayette Avenue in Clifton. She will hold an academic position as full professor in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services.

More significantly, she will lead the university of more than 33,000 students - the state's second-biggest university - into a new era.

During her tenure, Zimpher hopes to build on UC's comprehensive array of programs and its evolution as a research powerhouse. As an educator and administrator, she also wants to continue a strong push for diversity among the student body.

"You have an exceptional intellectual capacity," she told those attending Tuesday's announcement. "And I assure you that I will contribute to its growing momentum."

With 14,724 employees, UC is the city's largest employer. The school, she said, should make significant contributions to Cincinnati's goal of becoming a hub to what author Richard Florida calls the "creative class," or interesting people doing interesting things.

Colleagues say Zimpher has a track record of doing just that.

While at UWM, a 25,000-student campus located blocks away from Lake Michigan, she launched a plan called the Milwaukee Idea. The initiative brought the university together with social and public health agencies, community groups and others to improve regional economic development.

"Given the rich capacity of UC's faculty, staff and students - and the resource-rich and yet problem-rich environment that is the Cincinnati region - (we will) continue to commit this institution to this region's economic, social, cultural, educational and artistic future," she said.

The first step is to have a strong vision.

"Over the past five years I have learned a great deal about presidential leadership," she said. "I have learned that vision trumps everything. I know that organizations are most effective when a well-articulated and ambitious vision of the future exists."

She also recognizes that challenges lie ahead.

Colleges and universities in Wisconsin are experiencing the same dips in higher-education funding that Ohio is. The University of Wisconsin System, which consists of 26 campuses, will weather the largest cut it has ever faced in the 2003-04 budget.

To those who are concerned about funding, Zimpher had this to say:

• The pocketbook must match aspirations.

• Universities must set priorities.

• Institutions must make tough choices.

Associates in Milwaukee lamented Zimpher's loss.

"Nancy Zimpher's departure is a major loss for UW-Milwaukee, the UW System and the state," said Katharine C. Lyall, president of the University of Wisconsin System.

"Her vigorous leadership has revitalized UWM and helped the university work with the larger Milwaukee community to strengthen K-12 education, boost economic development and in many other ways."

Local university leaders are confident Milwaukee's loss will be Cincinnati's gain.

UC Board Chairman George A. Schaefer Jr. said UC found the right person to lead the university to the next level.

"She's a dynamic leader with a proven record of accomplishment in higher education," he said. "She's a scholar of the first order and has published and presented widely on preparation of teachers, particularly teachers in urban contexts.

"She has an excellent history of accomplishment in leading a university fully engaged in its community and its region."

E-mail kgoetz@enquirer.com