Columbia University Names Wisconsin Chancellor as Next President

Columbia University has selected Jennifer Mnookin, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as its next president, the university announced Sunday. Mnookin will begin her tenure on July 1, 2026, taking the helm of the Ivy League institution after a period of significant turmoil on campus.

Mnookin, a nationally recognized legal scholar, has led UW-Madison since 2022. Her appointment marks the fourth presidency change at Columbia in just two years, underscoring the instability the university has faced recently.

Background

Columbia has experienced considerable upheaval in recent years. The university faced federal financial penalties and a series of high-profile leadership departures tied to campus protests, particularly surrounding the Gaza conflict. These departures left the institution searching for stable leadership to navigate its current challenges.

Mnookin brings substantial academic credentials to the role. She earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University, a law degree from Yale Law School, and a Ph.D. in history and social study of science and technology from MIT. Before joining UW-Madison, she spent 17 years as a faculty member and dean at UCLA School of Law. She also previously served as a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law and a visiting professor at Harvard Law School.

At Wisconsin, Mnookin has made her mark quickly. Under her leadership, UW-Madison now ranks fifth in the nation for university research expenditures—its highest ranking since 2014, according to the National Science Foundation's Higher Education Research and Development Survey. She has also focused on expanding student access through initiatives like Bucky's Pell Pathway and Bucky's Tuition Promise, programs designed to increase funding for in-state students.

Key Details

Her Record on Campus Issues

Mnookin's leadership style reflects an evolving approach to campus activism and university values. At UW-Madison, she negotiated with the university's "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" after it occupied a major campus area. She characterized the protesters as well-intentioned activists and agreed to host guest scholars from Palestinian universities in exchange for their cooperation.

During her time at UCLA Law School, Mnookin publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. In a message to Black students, she wrote:

"As members of a law school community in particular, we must recognize and grapple with the complicity of the legal system and law enforcement in acts of racism and violence. These recent horrifying instances are, sadly, not aberrations; our legal system has been part and parcel of our nation's shameful history of institutionalized racism."

However, her public statements have shifted in recent years. In a November interview with the New York Times while being considered for the Columbia position, Mnookin expressed concern about universities focusing too heavily on identity issues. She stated:

"I think that many universities, not all, but many, were for a period of time deeply focused on identity diversity, and really not so focused on viewpoint diversity or belief diversity. Universities should be spaces where ideas, and different ideas, embodied by people from different backgrounds, come together."

Timing and Transition

Mnookin will leave Wisconsin after leading the university for roughly four years. Her departure comes as Columbia seeks to stabilize after years of leadership instability and campus divisions. The university has not yet announced plans for her successor at UW-Madison.

What This Means

Mnookin's appointment signals Columbia's effort to find a leader who can bridge divides on campus while maintaining academic excellence. Her track record shows someone willing to engage with student activism while also emphasizing the importance of diverse viewpoints and intellectual exchange.

For Columbia, bringing in a leader from outside the Ivy League system may provide fresh perspective. Mnookin's success in raising UW-Madison's research profile suggests she understands how to strengthen academic institutions during challenging times.

Her appointment also reflects the university's need for stability. After multiple leadership changes in a short period, Columbia is betting that Mnookin's experience managing a large public research university will help restore institutional confidence.

The transition period between now and July 1 will give Mnookin time to wrap up her work in Wisconsin and prepare for one of the most demanding leadership roles in American higher education. Columbia's board of trustees clearly believes she is the right person to guide the institution through its current challenges and into a more stable future.