Winona State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brenda Marsteller Kowalewski as the new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2025.
Dr. Kowalewski currently serves as Vice Provost at Weber State University, a position she has held since July 2023. Over the years, she has held various key roles at Weber State, including Associate Provost (2016-2023), Interim Dean and Senior International Officer for the Office of International Programs (2022-2023), and Interim Dean for the Division of Online and Continuing Education (2022). Additionally, Dr. Kowalewski has been a dedicated faculty member at Weber State, serving as a Full Professor of Sociology since 2004.
Her commitment to academic excellence is reflected in her wide-ranging leadership, having also served as the principal writer for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for three application rounds (2008, 2015, 2025), Executive Director for the Center for Community Engaged Learning (2006-2016), and Sociology Program Coordinator (2005-2006). Her academic journey began at the University of Maryland College Park, where she taught Sociology from 1992 to 1995.
Dr. Kowalewski holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hofstra University, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Maryland.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brenda to Winona State University. Her extensive leadership experience and dedication to fostering a student-centered academic environment will help propel Winona State’s academic mission forward,” said Dr. Kenneth Janz, President of Winona State University. “Her proven ability to build strong, collaborative partnerships will be an invaluable asset as we continue to develop our academic programs and initiatives.”
Dr. Kowalewski expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I am honored to be joining the Winona State community. I look forward to working alongside President Janz, faculty, staff, students, and partners in the greater Winona-Rochester area to further enrich the academic experiences at Winona State and ensure that our students are prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world.”
For more information contact the Winona State Marketing and Communications Office at 507-457-5024.
