Mnookin to become Columbia University president
On July 1, 2026, UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin will become Columbia University’s next president. Mnookin, who has served as UW–Madison’s 30th leader since August 2022, has in her tenure overseen the university’s rise in important national rankings, improved student outcomes, achieved record fundraising success, and helped make a UW–Madison education affordable and accessible for more Wisconsin students. “My time at UW–Madison has been life-changing and so much of that is attributable to the talented and deeply committed faculty, students, and staff who call our institution home, and who strive to bring the Wisconsin Idea to life,” Mnookin says. Eric M. Wilcots, currently dean of the College of Letters & Science, will assume the role of interim UW–Madison chancellor on May 17 as Chancellor Mnookin departs for her new role as president of Columbia University.
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Mnookin to assume presidency at Columbia University
Jennifer L. Mnookin, who has served as UW–Madison chancellor since August 2022, will depart for Columbia at the end of the academic year.
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Institutional Statement on Diversity
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW–Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background—people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.



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During his 2026 State of the State address, @GovEvers announced a new partnership between @PSCWisconsin and our Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics to conduct a statewide study on nuclear energy opportunities.
Six #UWMadison faculty members have been named #SloanFellows, honoring their creativity, innovation and research accomplishments.
Congratulations to Dallas Albritton, Paul Apisa, Annie M. Bauer, Marcel R. Schreier, Tina Wang and Yang Yang!
So grateful for Sen. Kohl’s lasting impact on @UWMadison. Herb Kohl Hall will stand as a tribute to his dedication to public service and civic responsibility as the new home for @UWLaFollette.
Herb Kohl Philanthropies announced a pledge to extend late Sen. Herb Kohl’s longstanding support with a historic $30 million gift to support programming and renovations to Music Hall, soon-to-be Herb Kohl Hall and future home of @UWLaFollette. https://news.wisc.edu/with-a-gift-honoring-sen-herb-kohls-legacy-music-hall-to-be-renamed-and-serve-as-future-home-of-la-follette-school/
UW-Madison's La Follette School moving to new home after $57M upgrades