Rana Altenburg, associate vice president for public affairs, has announced her intention to retire from Marquette University at the end of 2025 after 30 years of service. The university will undertake a national search for its next associate vice president for public affairs.
Altenburg has led Marquette’s government affairs and community engagement initiatives since 1996, representing Marquette’s priorities at the federal, state, local and tribal levels. Over her 30-year career at Marquette, Altenburg’s advocacy efforts contributed to increased investment by the government in major infrastructure projects near campus, such as the Wisconsin Avenue median, Wells Street median, Marquette Interchange, 27th Street corridor and the Menomonee Valley. Altenburg and her team helped secure over $220 million in congressional and state funding for Marquette University that supported capital projects and research efforts including expansions of the School of Dentistry, a simulation lab in the College of Nursing and catalytic development in the Near West Side.
“On behalf of the Marquette community, I want to thank Rana for her three decades of service to the university,” President Ah Yun said. “Her work helped build essential relationships throughout our state, city and community partners, which will serve Marquette well into the future.”
Some of Altenburg’s key accomplishments include: securing support from law enforcement leaders, state legislators and the governor’s office to change state law to allow for the creation of the Marquette University Police Department; getting the Marquette University license plate approved by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 2009; supporting Marquette’s Les Aspin Center to advance the university’s presence and relationships in Washington, D.C.; co-chairing the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette in 2009; chairing the Marquette Interchange color committee; and helping position Marquette as a national leader in place-based anchor efforts, receiving recognition from the Anchor Institution Task Force and International Town and Gown Association.
“I take great pride in being a Marquette alumna, parent, donor, season-ticket holder and lifelong champion of the university,” Altenburg said. “I believe deeply in Marquette’s mission, always striving to be a servant-leader and to Be The Difference. It has been a privilege to serve Marquette and cultivate meaningful relationships with colleagues, launch new partnerships in the Near West Side and across Milwaukee, and work closely with all levels of government, including Wisconsin’s Tribes. My advocacy for sustained public investment in student aid and research reflects a deep commitment to strengthening higher education, community impact and Marquette’s future.”
Altenburg serves as founding president of Near West Side Partners, which she helped launch in 2015. She is also a member of the boards of directors of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She formerly served on the boards of Seton Catholic Schools, Notre Dame Middle School, Business Improvement District #5 Westown Association, Menomonee Valley Partners, Wisconsin Policy Forum, Business Improvement District #10, The Science Coalition and WAMDC (WI Avenue MKE Development Corp).
Altenburg was honored as the first Near West Side Partners’ Community Champion at the neighborhood organization’s 10-year anniversary celebration in May 2025. She was named a Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2015 and a Forty Under 40 winner in 1999.
Altenburg earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Marquette and an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
