Dr. Jennifer L. Mnookin
Mnookin, 58, will assume the presidency on July 1, 2026.
"Jennifer will be an exceptional leader for Columbia's future," said David J. Greenwald and Jeh C. Johnson, co-chairs of Columbia's Board of Trustees. "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."
The trustees pointed to Mnookin's ability to build consensus while making difficult decisions when necessary.
"She is also a keen listener who builds consensus and does not shy away from making difficult decisions when necessary. As president, she will lead Columbia forward with strength and a firm commitment to the University's cherished values," they added.
The appointment comes as Columbia seeks stable leadership after a period of significant transition. Former broadcast journalist Claire Shipman, who has served as acting president, will hand over the reins to Mnookin this summer.
"We express the University's deep gratitude to Acting President Claire Shipman for her steady leadership during a period of transition and for her unyielding service to Columbia," said Greenwald and Johnson. "She led the University through an exceedingly difficult time with grace and fortitude; her stable leadership has positioned us well for this next chapter."
In accepting the appointment, Mnookin expressed enthusiasm about joining the university and its mission.
"I am honored and thrilled to join Columbia University at this important moment," she 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."
Mnookin said that she is committed to collaborative leadership.
"I look forward to working closely with faculty, students, and staff, and with both our local and global community of alumni and friends, to advance the University's critically important mission and to ensure that its teaching and research continue to contribute meaningfully to society," she said.
As chancellor at UW-Madison since August 2022, Mnookin leads a flagship public research campus serving more than 50,000 students across 13 schools and colleges with more than 25,000 faculty and staff, including a medical school and an affiliated health system.
Her tenure in Wisconsin has been marked by significant accomplishments. She has overseen major investments in faculty hiring and research infrastructure, launched cross-campus initiatives on artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary research, and provided sustained leadership through an uncertain federal funding environment. She has also advanced initiatives to greatly expand access and increase affordability for students.
Through constructive engagement with UW-Madison's broad stakeholder base, Mnookin's leadership has contributed to increased enrollment, strong research growth, and record levels of philanthropic support for the institution. Her steady, energetic, and effective approach has strengthened both academic and support systems to advance student success and academic excellence.
"Jennifer is an outstanding leader whose scholarship and leadership set her apart," said 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."
Prior to her appointment at UW-Madison, Mnookin built an impressive record in legal education. She served for seven years as dean of UCLA School of Law, following nearly two decades on the UCLA and University of Virginia law faculties in multiple senior academic leadership roles. As dean, she strengthened the law school's academic profile, expanded interdisciplinary centers, led major fundraising efforts, and earned recognition for her commitment to teaching excellence.
"From the outset of this process, we sought a leader with both intellectual depth and demonstrated leadership," said Andrew Barth and Jonathan Lavine, co-chairs of the Presidential Search Committee. "Jennifer's record as a scholar and university leader reflects a deep understanding of how research universities function—how they must continuously evolve in an everchanging world to enable the pursuit of new knowledge while remaining true to their academic mission and institutional values."
As one of the nation's leading and most-cited scholars in the field of legal evidence, Mnookin brings substantial academic credentials to the role. Her scholarly work focuses on evidence, science, and the law, with particular attention to wrongful convictions, forensic evidence, and visual evidence. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and her scholarship reflects a sustained commitment to ensuring that rigorous research informs public decision-making and serves the broader public good.
Mnookin received her bachelor's degree from Harvard University, her law degree from Yale Law School, and her doctorate in history and social study of science and technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
