Elton Crim, Jr.

Elton Crim, Jr. is a Clinical Professor and the Director of the Higher Education Master’s Degree Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Across his three decades of service at UW–Madison, he has made profound contributions in teaching, service, and leadership, earning him the 2026 Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award from the School of Education.

Dr. Crim graduated from DePaul University with undergraduate and master’s degrees in biology and public service management, respectively. He went on to complete his PhD from the distinguished Higher Education Administration program at Penn State University, under the supervision of Dr. M. Lee Upcraft. Dr. Crim additionally studied under the mentorship of Dr. William G. Tierney and Dr. Estelle Bensimon.

Dr. Crim began his student affairs career working in housing at DePaul University. Since coming to Wisconsin in 1996, he has held several roles in student affairs and health services, including Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Multicultural Affairs within the University of Wisconsin System, Director of Multicultural Affairs in the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology, Assistant Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Conduct, and serving as a member-at-large and Board Chair of the Madison College District Board from 2017-2023.