Announcement of Jennifer Mnookin's Appointment as Columbia's Next Leader

Columbia University's Board of Trustees unanimously selected Jennifer L. Mnookin as the university's next president, effective July 1, 2026. The announcement, made on January 25, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for the Ivy League institution, which has navigated significant leadership transitions in recent years. Currently serving as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), Mnookin brings extensive experience in higher education administration to one of the world's premier research universities. This appointment comes after a period of interim leadership under Acting President Claire Shipman, who has guided the university through challenging times.

Board Co-Chairs David J. Greenwald and Jeh C. Johnson praised Mnookin's qualifications, noting her ability to lead complex institutions with clarity, vision, and a commitment to academic values. 'She is a distinguished scholar who now leads a complex institution with clarity and vision,' they stated, highlighting her knack for building consensus and making tough decisions. Mnookin expressed her enthusiasm, emphasizing Columbia's role in rigorous scholarship, open inquiry, and its deep ties to New York City.

Columbia's Leadership Rollercoaster Since 2023

Columbia University has seen a rapid turnover in its presidency, underscoring the pressures facing elite higher education institutions. Lee Bollinger concluded his 21-year tenure on June 30, 2023. Minouche Shafik succeeded him but resigned on August 14, 2024, amid intense scrutiny over the university's response to pro-Palestinian protests that escalated following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

Katrina Armstrong served as acting president from August 14, 2024, to March 28, 2025, followed by Claire Shipman in the current acting role. This sequence of four leaders—three women—in just over two years reflects broader challenges in U.S. higher education, including campus activism, federal oversight, and funding uncertainties.

The university's location in Morningside Heights, New York, amplified these issues, with protests leading to police barricades and restricted access for students. Jewish students reported harassment, contributing to national debates on free speech versus safety in academia.

Jennifer Mnookin's Academic and Professional Journey

Born in 1967 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and raised in a Jewish family in the Bay Area, Jennifer Leigh Mnookin embodies the scholarly rigor expected at Columbia. She earned an AB from Harvard University in 1988, a JD from Yale Law School in 1995, and a PhD in the history and social study of science and technology from MIT in 1999. Her doctoral thesis explored evidence, expertise, and courtroom technologies.

Mnookin's career began as a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law (1998-2005), including a visiting stint at Harvard Law. In 2005, she joined UCLA School of Law, rising through leadership roles before becoming dean in 2015—a position she held until 2022.

Her scholarship centers on evidence law, particularly at the intersection of law, science, and technology. Topics include wrongful convictions, forensic evidence reliability, and visual proof. A highly cited expert, she co-authored *The New Wigmore: A Treatise on Evidence* and influenced key reports, such as the National Academy of Sciences' 2009 forensic science critique. Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2020, Mnookin has advised on national policy, co-chairing panels for the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Revitalizing UCLA Law School Under Mnookin's Deanship

As dean of UCLA School of Law from 2015 to 2022, Mnookin elevated the school's profile through strategic expansions. She strengthened interdisciplinary centers, bolstered clinical and experiential learning programs, and spearheaded record-breaking fundraising. These efforts enhanced teaching excellence and positioned UCLA Law as a leader in innovative legal education.

During her tenure, the school navigated fiscal pressures common in public universities, demonstrating her adeptness at resource allocation and stakeholder engagement—skills directly transferable to Columbia's complex ecosystem of 13 schools and affiliated health systems.

• Expanded clinical programs to provide hands-on training for students.
• Grew interdisciplinary initiatives bridging law with science and policy.
• Achieved fundraising milestones supporting faculty and facilities.

Record-Breaking Achievements as UW-Madison Chancellor

Mnookin assumed the chancellorship at UW-Madison on August 4, 2022, leading its 50,000+ students, 25,000 faculty and staff, and $4.95 billion budget. Her tenure ends after spring commencement 2026, but not without transformative impacts.

Student success soared: six-year graduation rate hit 89.5% (record high), time-to-degree dropped to 3.78 years, 66% of undergrads graduated debt-free, and Pell Grant recipients rose to 26%. Initiatives like Bucky’s Pell Pathway guaranteed full support for eligible in-state students, aiding over 7,800, while the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise engaged 100 Native students.

Research thrived via the RISE Initiative, recruiting 125 faculty for AI, sustainability, and health projects; UW-Madison cracked the top five in research expenditures. Philanthropy peaked at $1.6 billion from 127,000 donors. Sustainability efforts earned a gold STARS rating, and the Wisconsin Exchange fostered civil discourse.

UW leaders lauded her resilience amid higher ed challenges, from funding uncertainties to campus debates.

Photo by Bunly Hort on Unsplash

Navigating Campus Turmoil: Columbia's Protests and Federal Scrutiny

Columbia's challenges peaked post-October 7, 2023, with anti-Israel protests demanding divestment. Encampments occupied the quad, protesters seized buildings like Hamilton Hall (renamed 'Intifada Hall'), and over 100 arrests occurred in May 2024. In 2025, 80 more were arrested at Butler Library. Police barricades restricted access, and harassment targeted Jewish students.

The Trump administration cut $400 million in federal funds in March 2025, citing antisemitism failures. Columbia settled for $221 million in July 2025, accepting a federal monitor, IHRA antisemitism definition, and affirmative action reporting—without admitting fault. A Task Force on Antisemitism issued final recommendations in December 2025 on classroom best practices.

These events echo national tensions in U.S. colleges, balancing free expression with community safety.

Why Mnookin Fits Columbia's Needs Perfectly

Mnookin's experience handling similar protests at UW-Madison positions her ideally. In May 2024, she negotiated an end to a Students for Justice in Palestine encampment, later suspending the group in July 2025. She issued statements condemning antisemitism and Islamophobia post-October 7, universalizing the tragedy's impact.

Her public university leadership through funding woes mirrors Columbia's plight. As a Jewish scholar with science-law expertise, she can champion rigorous inquiry amid polarization. Trustees value her consensus-building and execution skills.Read the full Columbia announcement.

• Proven crisis management in protest scenarios.
• Expertise in evidence and policy advising.
• Track record boosting enrollment, research, and fundraising.

Stakeholder Reactions: Relief, Caution, and Optimism

Columbia faculty welcomed the news with 'relief, caution, and hopes for renewed unity,' viewing it as an end to administrative churn. UW-Madison stakeholders expressed gratitude for her legacy. However, anti-Israel groups labeled her 'fascist' over encampment handling.

Students and alumni anticipate stability, with some UW voices mixed on her departure amid state politics.

Explore faculty perspectives via Columbia's bio page.

Mnookin's Vision and Challenges Ahead

Mnookin envisions advancing Columbia's mission through scholarship, patient care, and NYC ties. Priorities likely include restoring federal trust, fostering dialogue, and investing in AI/interdisciplinary research—mirroring her UW successes.

Challenges persist: Implementing the antisemitism task force, navigating Trump-era policies, and rebuilding unity. Her inclusive approach could model solutions for U.S. higher ed.

Implications for U.S. Higher Education Leadership

Mnookin's ascent highlights trends: Preference for proven administrators over pure academics, emphasis on crisis navigation, and value of law/science expertise amid tech/AI booms. Columbia's saga underscores risks of protest mismanagement, prompting peers to enhance safety protocols.

For aspiring leaders, her path—from faculty to dean to chancellor—offers lessons in fundraising, equity, and innovation. Check tips for academic CVs on AcademicJobs.com.

Photo by Aditya Enggar Perdana on Unsplash

Looking Forward: Columbia Under Mnookin

By July 2026, Mnookin could stabilize enrollment, research funding, and campus climate. Her personal life—married to UW political scientist Joshua Foa Dienstag, two children—suggests grounded leadership.

Prospects include emulating UW's debt-free graduation model and RISE-like initiatives. For jobs in higher ed leadership, visit executive higher ed jobs.

In summary, Mnookin's appointment signals hope for Columbia and U.S. universities facing turmoil. Professionals can rate experiences at Rate My Professor or seek advice via higher ed career advice. Explore university jobs and higher ed jobs on AcademicJobs.com.