About Chancellor Watson

As Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, Wayne D. Watson, PhD has been profiled as an Agent of Change. As you explore this website you will easily understand why.

Appointed Chancellor in 1998, he immediately began instituting the changes he saw as needed to achieve the excellence in education he so passionately wanted to bring to Chicago's diverse community. Prior to his appointment, he served as president of Kennedy-King College and Harold Washington College.

"As City Colleges approaches its 100th anniversary, I am determined that its programs reflect the reality of the new world order of globalization. When it was founded in 1911, City Colleges was known as the "People's College" with the mission to provide access to higher education. Our reason for being then and our reason for being now have not changed. We exist to provide quality education, accessible to all. As an educator, that is my reason for being – my raison d’être."

Wayne D. Watson's professional dedication to excellence in education aligns with his strong commitment to community service. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University, the Fantus Health Center Board, the Capital Campaign Leadership Committee for the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture and as a volunteer to the Capital Campaign for the DuSable Museum of African American History.

Excellence is the common thread running through all aspects of his life. He is a devoted son and father of three. As a young man, he excelled in wrestling - making the final U.S. Olympic trials and winning a National Junior College Championship. His interests have led him to travel extensively to Europe and Africa to study anthropology, oral traditions and comparative education.

He takes great pride in having worked as a senior consultant to Alex Haley. In this position, he reviewed and validated the research methodology Haley went on to use in writing his international best seller, Roots.

Wayne D. Watson's higher education started at Joliet Junior College. From there he went on to Northwestern University where he earned a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration.