Jennifer Mnookin, who has served as the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison since August 2022, has been named the next president of Columbia University. The announcement signals a major leadership transition for both prominent American universities.
Mnookin will take the helm at the Ivy League institution following a period of significant turmoil and leadership changes at Columbia. She is expected to remain in her role at UW-Madison through the university's spring commencement ceremonies.
Key Takeaways
- Jennifer Mnookin will leave her post as UW-Madison Chancellor to become the new president of Columbia University.
- Her tenure at Madison, which began in August 2022, was marked by significant research growth and campus protests.
- Mnookin will replace a series of leaders at Columbia, which has faced instability since the resignation of its former president in August 2024.
- The Universities of Wisconsin will appoint an interim chancellor to lead the Madison campus following her departure.
A Brief but Eventful Tenure in Madison
Jennifer Mnookin's leadership at UW-Madison lasted less than two years, but it was a period of notable developments and challenges. She assumed the chancellorship in the summer of 2022, succeeding Rebecca Blank, who had departed for Northwestern University.
During her time, the university's research enterprise saw significant expansion. A key focus was placed on securing grants from the Department of Defense, contributing to a research portfolio that approaches $2 billion annually.
Under Mnookin's leadership, UW-Madison achieved a top-five national ranking for university research spending, its highest position since 2014. This metric is a critical indicator of a university's research prowess and economic impact.
This growth in research occurred even as the university system faced widespread federal funding cuts, requiring strategic navigation to maintain momentum in its core academic and scientific missions.
Navigating a Turbulent Campus Climate
Like many university leaders across the country, Mnookin's chancellorship involved managing periods of campus unrest. She oversaw the university's response to various protest activities, including a Pro-Palestinian encampment that mirrored similar demonstrations on other campuses.
Her administration also contended with external pressures. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education initiated an investigation into UW-Madison, along with six other universities. The inquiry centers on allegations of race-based scholarships and programs that the department claims may segregate students by race.
Context: National University Protests
The period from late 2023 through 2025 saw a wave of student protests on university campuses across the United States, primarily related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. University administrations have been under intense scrutiny for how they balance free speech rights with campus safety and institutional policies.
These events required a delicate balance of upholding free speech principles while ensuring the operational continuity and safety of the campus community, a challenge that has tested leaders in higher education nationwide.
Columbia's Search for Stability
Mnookin is stepping into a leadership role at Columbia University that has been marked by recent instability. The former president, Nemat Shafik, resigned in August 2024 after facing intense criticism from various stakeholders, including the White House, over her handling of campus protests.
Following Shafik's departure, Columbia was led by two interim presidents in quick succession. Katrina Armstrong first stepped into the role but abruptly resigned in March 2025. She was followed by another interim leader, creating a vacuum that the university's board has sought to fill with a permanent appointment.
Mnookin's experience managing similar campus pressures at UW-Madison was likely a key factor in her selection. Her appointment is seen as an effort to bring a steady hand to an institution grappling with internal divisions and external political pressure.
What's Next for UW-Madison
With Mnookin's planned departure after the spring semester, the Universities of Wisconsin system will begin the process of finding her replacement. An interim chancellor will be appointed to guide the flagship Madison campus through the transition period.
The search for a permanent chancellor will be a critical task for the university system's leadership. The next leader will inherit a world-class research institution that also faces ongoing budgetary pressures and the complex cultural dynamics present in modern higher education.
The transition comes at a pivotal time for public universities, which are navigating decreased state funding, political scrutiny, and evolving student expectations. The choice of the next chancellor will shape the direction of UW-Madison for years to come.