Mark Emmert, chancellor of Louisiana State University, has been selected by the Board of Regents to become the 30th president of the University of Washington. His appointment is subject to negotiation of a contract.

Emmert was recommended to the regents by the presidential search advisory committee, which was chaired by Paul Ramsey, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. The committee was impressed with Emmert and his leadership skills, knowledge, and experience, Ramsey said.

Emmert, 51, is a UW alumnus who received a bachelor's degree in political science from the university. He also received doctoral and master's degrees in public administration from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. He has been an American Council on Education fellow and a J.W. Fulbright administrative fellow. He has been chancellor of LSU since 1999.

Prior to heading the administration of LSU, he served five years at the University of Connecticut as chancellor and provost. He also served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Montana State University, and held faculty and administrative positions at the University of Colorado.

While at UConn, Emmert helped implement the university's strategic plan, which included boosting its academic standing, increasing edowment support, and strengthening education. As chancellor of LSU, he developed a seven-year agenda aimed at increasing research and scholarly productivity while enhancing the quality and competitiveness of students.

Emmert and the Board of Regents are expected to work out an employment contract in the next few days, and he is expected to start at the UW this summer. At the press conference announcing his acceptance of the position, Emmert said he looks forward to working with and learning more about the ably led health sciences programs at the UW.