Governor Evers Appointed Dow to UW Board of Regents

Delani Dow of UW-River Falls has been named the newest nontraditional student regent for the state university system.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in People

Governor Evers Appointed Dow to UW Board of Regents

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Governor Tony Evers announced the appointment of Delani Dow to the UW Board of Regents on Thursday. Dow, an elementary education major at UW-River Falls, succeeds outgoing regent Desmond Adongo.

Why it matters

The appointment maintains the student presence on the governing body that oversees the University of Wisconsin System. Regents play a critical role in guiding university policies and academic oversight across the state.

The UW Board of Regents includes two student regent positions, with each student representative serving a two-year term. Delani Dow joins the board to fill the nontraditional seat, while Noah Fritz continues to hold the traditional student regent role.

The players

Tony Evers

Tony Evers is the current Governor of Wisconsin who holds the authority to appoint members to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

Delani Dow

Delani Dow is an elementary education major at UW-River Falls who was recently appointed as the nontraditional student regent.

Desmond Adongo

Desmond Adongo is the former nontraditional student regent who served on the board until his term ended in May 2026.

Noah Fritz

Noah Fritz is the currently serving traditional student regent on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

The details

Delani Dow currently serves as a student mentor and Disability Resource Center senator at UW-River Falls. She was selected by the Governor to fill the nontraditional student seat vacated by the expiration of Desmond Adongo's term.

Desmond Adongo's term expired in May 2026.
Governor Evers announced the appointment on October 8, 2026.

Market Landscape

This appointment follows the Wisconsin statutory student regent appointment process, which mandates specific student representation on the governing board of the state university system. The move ensures the continuation of the board's structure requiring both traditional and nontraditional student perspectives.

As a student regent, Dow will participate in governance decisions that affect tuition, campus operations, and academic programming for students across the state. Her presence provides a direct voice for nontraditional students in the high-level policy discussions of the UW System.

The takeaway

The appointment underscores the ongoing commitment to incorporating student voices into the strategic oversight of higher education in Wisconsin. Students and faculty can monitor upcoming regents' meetings to track how these appointments influence institutional priorities.