1. Phyllis M. King, Ph.D.
Expanded Biography
As Vice Provost at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dr. King provides campus
leadership in a wide array of strategic, academic and budgetary planning and decision-making
activities. Specific duties include leadership at the campus level for programs related to student
recruitment/enrollment/retention, Access to Success initiatives, articulation agreements and
transfer policies, administrative and academic policies, academic support services, including
direct supervision of the Panther Academic Support Services, TRIO/Pre-College Programs,
Accessibility Resource Center, the Roberto Hernandez Center and the Academic Opportunity
Center, and STEM campus initiatives coordination.
Dr. King serves as an administrative representative of the university to many community
organizations and external stakeholders . She is a UWM liaison to the University of Wisconsin
System, City of Milwaukee, and state for initiatives related to educational reform, STEM, health,
the food and beverage industry (FaB WI), entrepreneurship, and innovations. She has served as
the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for Athletics for the past 5 years and represents
UWM as FAR to the Horizon League. She is the designated coordinator for the M3 initiative, a
Milwaukee public education network comprised of MPS, MATC and UWM leadership designed
to increase the retention, graduation, and career success of students. She is the liaison for campus
to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ (APLU) Innovation and Economic
Prosperity designation, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, and the developing
academic/industry water sySTEM network.
Dr. King is a full professor in Occupational Therapy and a licensed Occupational Therapist. She
had previously served as Program Director and Department Chair for Occupational Therapy as
well as the Associate Dean for the College of Health Sciences (CHS). As Associate Dean, Dr.
King had administrative oversight responsibilities for instructional budget, program
development, professional accreditations, and community partnerships. She is an internationally
known researcher and lecturer in ergonomics, manufacturing and health care. She has authored
over 30 scientific publications related to topics of health, safety, education, human factors, and
ergonomics. She has served as the Corporate Ergonomist for Kohler Company and advised the
Ministry of Health of Singapore on occupational health and safety policy. Dr. King continues to
be the Director of Campus Ergonomics Services.
Dr. King serves on campus, corporate and community boards. She is a member of the campus
advisory board for the new Lubar Center for Entrepreneurship, the UWM Center for Aging and
Translational Research advisory board, and the UWM CHS advisory board. She is an executive
board member for STEM Forward and Milwaukee Women inc, a board member of the UW
Credit Union and Penfield Children’s Center, and an advisory board member for Plunkett
Raysich Architects. Her prior leadership service included President of the UWM Alumni
Association, Chair of TEMPO Milwaukee and Chair of Milwaukee Women inc.
Dr. King holds a doctorate degree in Urban Education, with a specialization in Industrial
Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is recognized as a Fellow of the
American Occupational Therapy Association, a Fellow of the Association for Schools of Allied
Health Professions, and a protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute for higher education

2. executives. She is the recipient of the UWM Distinguished Public Service Award and the
Milwaukee Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award.