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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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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CELEBRATING OUR CHAMPS! Electric energy at LaBahn tonight as @badgerwhockey brought home the 9TH(!!) National Championship title! 🏆HUGE congrats to Coach Mark Johnson and our amazing women’s hockey team and cheers to the fabulous fans who came out to celebrate! On, Wisconsin!👏
Congratulations to the 32 graduate students who have been recognized with Campus-Wide Teaching Assistant Awards this year! Their dedication, passion, and creativity in teaching is a vital part of UW–Madison's success.
Meet the awardees: https://grad.wisc.edu/2026/03/23/2025-26-ta-awards-announced/
BADGERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, AGAIN!! 🏆🦡👏 The winningest team and the winningest coach did it AGAIN! Nine natties and, now, two-in-a-row!! Unbelievably proud of @badgerwhockey for an extraordinary season and unforgettable finish!
ON CLOUD NINE