Columbia University Names Jennifer Mnookin as President-Designate, Marking Fourth Leader in Two Years

Columbia University's Board of Trustees announced Sunday evening that Jennifer L. Mnookin, the current chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will become the institution's next president, effective July 1, 2026. The appointment concludes an extensive national search and marks Columbia's fourth presidential transition in just two years, following a period of unprecedented turmoil at the Ivy League institution.

The Board of Trustees made the announcement on a snowy Sunday evening, acknowledging they had hoped to wait until Monday but were compelled to share the news early due to intense media interest. The decision represents a pivotal moment for Columbia as it seeks stable leadership after successive resignations and ongoing challenges related to campus activism and federal government scrutiny.

A Consensus Builder Takes the Helm

At 58, Mnookin brings an impressive academic pedigree and reputation as a thoughtful consensus builder to Morningside Heights. She currently leads UW-Madison, a flagship public research university serving more than 50,000 students across 13 schools and colleges with over 25,000 faculty and staff, including a medical school and affiliated health system.

"Jennifer will be an exceptional leader for Columbia's future," said David J. Greenwald and Jeh C. Johnson, co-chairs of Columbia's Board of Trustees. "She is a distinguished scholar who now leads a complex institution with clarity and vision. She understands the essential role that higher education and research play in advancing knowledge, serving the public good, and addressing our most pressing challenges."

Acting President Claire Shipman praised Mnookin's leadership qualities, stating she brings an inclusive and mission-driven approach that has demonstrated an ability to move from vision to execution while earning trust across diverse communities.

Distinguished Academic and Leadership Career

Mnookin's academic credentials are formidable. She holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, a JD from Yale Law School, and a PhD in history and social study of science and technology from MIT. As one of the nation's leading scholars in legal evidence, her research focuses on the intersection of law and science, with particular attention to wrongful convictions, forensic evidence, and visual evidence. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Prior to assuming the chancellorship at UW-Madison in 2022, Mnookin served for seven years as dean of UCLA School of Law, where she spent nearly 17 years on the faculty. As dean, she strengthened the law school's academic profile, expanded interdisciplinary centers and clinical programs, and led major fundraising efforts while earning recognition for her commitment to teaching excellence.

Her scholarly work has made her widely regarded as one of the most cited experts in the field of legal evidence. She recently served as co-chair of a 2024 expert report on facial recognition technologies for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and previously spent six years on the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Science, Technology, and Law.

Accomplishments at Wisconsin

During her tenure at UW-Madison, Mnookin has overseen significant institutional advances despite navigating challenging external pressures. Her leadership contributed to increased enrollment, strong research growth, and record levels of philanthropic support. Last year, the university secured the second-highest amount in contributions in its history under her fundraising leadership.

Mnookin made substantial investments in faculty hiring and research infrastructure, launching major cross-campus initiatives on artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary research. She established Bucky's Pell Pathway, which guarantees full financial support for Pell-eligible Wisconsin residents, and expanded scholarship opportunities and academic support services that contributed to improved completion and graduation rates.

In February 2024, she launched the most comprehensive sustainability initiative in UW-Madison's history. The university subsequently achieved gold status for the first time in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's STARS ranking, marking key progress among the five goals she set for the initiative.

Her tenure also saw significant infrastructure development, with multiple major academic buildings either completed or breaking ground, including Morgridge Hall, which opened in August 2025 and will house a proposed new College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Navigating Complex Challenges

Mnookin's appointment comes as Columbia continues to grapple with the aftermath of highly publicized campus protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict and strained relations with the federal government. The university's previous president, Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, resigned in August 2024 following intense national scrutiny of the university's handling of pro-Palestine demonstrations. Her successor, Katrina Armstrong, served only seven months as interim president before resigning earlier this year.

Claire Shipman has led the institution since March 2025, providing what the Board of Trustees described as steady guidance during an exceptionally difficult transition period. "We express the University's deep gratitude to Acting President Claire Shipman for her steady leadership during a period of transition and for her unyielding service to Columbia," Greenwald and Johnson said. "She led the University through an exceedingly difficult time with grace and fortitude; her stable leadership has positioned us well for this next chapter."

At UW-Madison, Mnookin navigated her own challenges related to campus activism. She reached an agreement with a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" that occupied a major campus thoroughfare, framing the protesters as well-intentioned activists motivated by passionate feelings about the devastation in Gaza. The agreement included commitments to disciplinary leniency and hosting guest scholars from Palestinian universities.

Columbia has faced significant consequences from its recent turbulence. The Trump administration froze $400 million in federal funding in March over alleged failures to address antisemitism, though most funds were later reinstated through a settlement. The institution has laid off nearly 180 researchers funded by federal grants, and its operating surplus declined by 63 percent between 2024 and 2025.

The presidential search itself proved challenging, with the university extending its timeline in December after two prominent candidates—former Harvard Law dean John Manning and Vanderbilt chancellor Daniel Diermeier—removed themselves from consideration.

A Message of Commitment

In accepting the appointment, Mnookin expressed enthusiasm tempered with awareness of the challenges ahead. "I am honored and thrilled to join Columbia University at this important moment," she said. "Columbia is defined by rigorous scholarship, a deep commitment to open inquiry, world-class patient care, and an inseparable and enduring connection to New York City, the greatest city in the world. I look forward to working closely with faculty, students, and staff, and with both our local and global community of alumni and friends, to advance the University's critically important mission and to ensure that its teaching and research continue to contribute meaningfully to society."

Transition Plans

Mnookin will remain at UW-Madison through spring commencement, completing the academic year before assuming her new role on July 1. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will appoint an interim chancellor to succeed her and initiate a search for a permanent replacement later this year.

"During her tenure, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin brought unbounded energy, resilience and deeply thoughtful leadership to this great university," Rothman said. "As she now takes on a new opportunity at another prestigious institution, we extend our substantial gratitude for her service and wish her continued success in the years ahead."

Board of Regents President Amy B. Bogost added: "We express our deepest gratitude for Chancellor Mnookin's tireless work and the transformative legacy she leaves at the University of Wisconsin. She is an incredible leader whose unique strength and ability to accomplish so much, even in the most difficult times, truly set her apart."

Looking Forward

Mnookin's appointment represents both hope and challenge for Columbia. Her track record of building consensus, strengthening academic programs, and managing complex stakeholder relationships will be tested in one of higher education's most high-profile and pressure-filled environments.

The Board of Trustees emphasized her qualities as a keen listener who builds consensus but doesn't shy away from difficult decisions when necessary. "As president, she will lead Columbia forward with strength and a firm commitment to the University's cherished values," they stated.

For Columbia's community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni—many of whom have endured months of uncertainty and institutional upheaval—Mnookin's appointment signals an attempt to return to stability while maintaining the university's commitment to rigorous scholarship, open inquiry, and public service.

As she prepares to transition from Madison to Manhattan, Mnookin faces the formidable task of healing divisions, restoring confidence, and positioning one of the world's premier research universities to thrive amid ongoing social and political tensions that show no signs of abating.