Columbia names University of Wisconsin chancellor Jennifer Mnookin as president

Columbia University has chosen Jennifer Mnookin, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as its next president, the university announced, with trustees expressing hope she can help restore stability after a tumultuous two years on campus. Dr. Mnookin, 58, is a legal scholar who served as dean of the UCLA School of Law before becoming chancellor at Wisconsin in 2022.

In a statement, Columbia trustees David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said she would bring “an exceptional academic and leadership pedigree and a reputation for building trust through listening and engagement.” Dr. Mnookin said she was “honored and thrilled to join Columbia University at this important moment.” Columbia has faced deep divisions since protests that followed the Oct.

7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, including large demonstrations, an encampment and the closure of the Manhattan campus to the public. Nemat Shafik resigned in 2024 amid the unrest; two interim leaders followed as the university negotiated with the White House and ultimately agreed to pay $200 million to the federal government and $21 million to a claims fund, after which most suspended research grants were restored.

At Wisconsin, Dr.

Key Topics

Politics, Jennifer Mnookin, Columbia University, Hamas Attack, Nemat Shafik, Student Encampment