Columbia University has named its next president.
The board of trustees has appointed Jennifer Mnookin to lead the university.
Mnookin, 58, currently serves as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a nationally recognized legal scholar.
Her appointment follows a months-long national search that included input from students, faculty, staff and alumni.
She’ll start in the role on July 1.
About Jennifer Mnookin
As chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mnookin leads more than 50,000 students and 25,000 faculty staff across 13 schools. Prior to that, she served as dean of UCLA School of Law for seven years, following nearly 20 years as a faculty member at UCLA and UVA.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Columbia University at this important moment,” Mnookin 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.”
“Jennifer will be an exceptional leader for Columbia’s future,” Columbia University Board of Trustees co-chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said. “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. She is also a keen listener who builds consensus and does not shy away from making difficult decisions when necessary.”
“Jennifer is an outstanding leader whose scholarship and leadership set her apart,” said Columbia’s acting president Claire Shipman,. “She brings an inclusive and mission-driven approach to leadership and has demonstrated an ability to move from vision to execution while earning trust across diverse communities. These are qualities that position her well to guide Columbia in the many years ahead. I’m thrilled for our institution.”
Columbia has seen several recent changes at the top
Columbia’s leadership has seen a number of changes in recent years amid ongoing struggles between the school and the Trump administration. Claire Shipman took over as acting president after interim president Katrina Armstrong stepped down in March of last year.
Shipman took the spot after the university unveiled new policies in alignment with demands made by the Trump administration, which had pulled $400 million in funding over concerns about antisemitism on campus.
The board thanked Shipman for leading “the university through an exceedingly difficult time with grace and fortitude; her stable leadership has positioned us well for this next chapter.”
Armstrong herself became interim president after former university president Dr. Minouche Shafik resigned in 2024 following intense criticism over the handling of on-campus protests triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.