Columbia names University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor as next president, 5th leader in 4 years

Columbia University announced that it has appointed University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin as its next president, the Ivy League school's fourth leader in five years.

Mnookin will be Columbia's fifth president in four years, according to the Columbia Spectator. 

The New York City school has had three since August 2024, following Palestinian-backed Hama's Oct. 2023 terror attack on Israel, then Israel declaring war on Hamas. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters built on-campus encampments and took over at least one building. In August 2024, University president Minouche Shafik resigned after facing criticism over Columbia's handling of the pro-Palestinian campus protests.

In May 2025, the school authorized the New York City Police Department to end demonstrations and arrest protesters. 

President Trump and his administration maintained at the time of the protests and in their aftermath that there was widespread antisemitism at Columbia and cut millions in funding before a settlement was reached.

The search for a new president began in April 2025.

Acting University President Claire Shipman has held the position since March 2025, after interim President Katrina Armstrong served for seven months before returning to her former position as the Columbia University Irving Medical Center's CEO.

Mnookin will start her new position on July 1, the university announced on Sunday. 

Before working at UW–Madison, Mnookin served for seven years as Dean of UCLA School of Law.