Stephen Hansen, PhD, served as interim chancellor August 15, 2015-July 31, 2016. The SIU Board of Trustees approved Hansen for a one-year appointment while a search for a new chancellor was conducted.
“SIUE continues on an upward trajectory, and the board of trustees is confident in Dr. Hansen’s ability to maintain that momentum,” SIU President Randy Dunn said at the time of Hansen's appointment. “He received exceptionally high marks during his leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences in an interim capacity, and he is highly respected among the members of the SIUE community. His familiarity with both internal and external issues that impact the institution is a tremendous asset.”
Hansen previously served as interim dean of SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) from January 2-July 31, 2015. He is a former dean of the SIUE Graduate School and history professor in CAS.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead SIUE, an institution to which I have devoted my career,” Hansen said. “SIUE is a strong university with a national reputation for excellence. My goal is to continue the activities that have contributed to that strength – enabling students to learn, improving the quality of our programs, developing our resources and serving the community.”
“One of the things that I’ve learned in my previous experience is that administration is most effective when administrators understand that they are there to support student learning,” Hansen added.
Hansen and his wife, Julie, SIUE associate professor emerita and humanities librarian, have resided in Edwardsville since 1984.