With the fall semester starting soon, a group of students, faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are urging new Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to consider strengthening the campus’ COVID-19 policies.
Category: Chancellor
UW-Madison chancellor celebrates first day on campus with ice cream social
In honor of her first day on campus, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin invited the UW community to an ice cream social. Students, faculty, and staff gathered on Bascom Hill to mingle with their new leader while enjoying a sweet treat.
Tuition, state funding and diversity: New UW-Madison chancellor’s agenda has familiar ring
Jennifer Mnookin spent her first day on campus meeting with students, faculty and campus leaders as she takes on the role as UW-Madison’s 30th chancellor.
Mnookin, who comes to Madison from her previous role as dean of the UCLA School of Law, said her primary goal is to have conversations with UW-Madison students and staff and community and state leaders to discuss ways to keep UW-Madison affordable, while also addressing challenges like accessibility, funding and diversity.
A look at new UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s first day on the job
A photo gallery from Chancellor Mnookin’s first day.
New UW-Madison chancellor meets with students, staff on first day on campus
New University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin met with students and staff members Thursday during an ice cream social to mark her first day on campus.
University of Chicago chancellor Robert Zimmer steps down for health reasons
Blank, who spent eight years as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, had been named as the school’s 17th president and the first woman to lead Northwestern. Current president Morton Schapiro has been asked to stay on while the search for his successor resumes.
Updated: Former UW chancellor Rebecca Blank steps down as Northwestern president
Former University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank is stepping down as president-elect of Northwestern University after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
Former UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank diagnosed with aggressive cancer, won’t start new job
Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced Monday she is stepping down from her new job as Northwestern University’s next president and instead will receive treatment in Madison for an aggressive form of cancer.
New Northwestern President Steps Down After Cancer Diagnosis
Blank, an economist, previously was chancellor of the University of Wisconsin. Morton Schapiro will remain in the job until a successor is appointed.
University of Chicago Chancellor Robert Zimmer steps down due to health concerns
Blank recently concluded an eight-year tenure as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May, and had been set to succeed to succeed President Morton Schapiro as the president of Northwestern University. She was selected by the board of trustees in October.
Daywatch: Highland Park mayor and Pritzker push for federal action on guns
Blank, a former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said in a Monday statement she plans to return to the Madison area for cancer treatment and will spend the coming weeks and months focusing on her health and family.
Northwestern president-elect resigns after cancer diagnosis
Before being named president of Northwestern, she spent eight years as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She and her family will return to Madison for her treatment.
Northwestern’s president-elect steps down to battle cancer
In a news release, the school said that Blank, who concluded her eight-year tenure as chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May, will return to the Madison area for cancer treatment.
Interim UW-Madison chancellor “pleased to support” Big Ten’s addition of USC & UCLA
John Karl Scholz issued a statement following the Big Ten’s announcement Thursday night.
“The University of Wisconsin–Madison is pleased to support the planned expansion of the Big Ten Conference with the inclusion of the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). “This expansion helps solidify the Big Ten Conference as the one, true national powerhouse conference, with member universities, teams and fans stretching from coast to coast.
New Presidents or Provosts: Eastern Maine CC, New England College, UMass–Dartmouth, U of Mobile, U of North Florida, U of Southern Maine, U of Wisconsin–Madison, Whatcom CC
Noted: Jennifer L. Mnookin, dean of the School of Law and Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been appointed chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Tom Still: Part 2: Chancellor Rebecca Blank reflects on her 9 years at UW-Madison
In the spring of 2013, just before she was confirmed as the next UW-Madison chancellor by the Board of Regents, Rebecca Blank was criticized by some Republican state legislators for her “radical policies.”
New presidents or provosts: EMCC Mass-Dartmouth Mobile New England Southern Maine UNF Whatcom Wisconsin
Jennifer L. Mnookin, dean of the School of Law and Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been appointed chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Tom Still: On way to Northwestern, Rebecca Blank urges more building project control for UW
In an interview before her departure to become president of Northwestern University this fall, Blank took aim at state regulations that prevent the UW System’s flagship campus from issuing its own bonds for new buildings and which add time and expense to routine maintenance.
New UW President Jay Rothman pledges relationship-building with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle
Jay Rothman started the tight-rope-walking job of leading the University of Wisconsin System this week by defending the incoming UW-Madison chancellor while also not calling out Republicans for criticizing her.
Mnookin deserved a warmer welcome — Janet Price
Letter to the editor: Why would Vos make negative comments without even meeting and having a discussion with Mnookin? I heard her respond with grace and politeness — that she is excited about coming to Madison and “looks forward” to meeting all of the state legislators.
School leaders make major decisions for the Big Ten. Here’s who helps newcomers get prepared
The consequential issues that will land on incoming UW-Madison chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s desk when she takes over in August involve more than academics … Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren and members of his senior leadership team help facilitate the introduction of new university leaders to the group, the conference said in a statement in response to questions.
Opinion: Once again, the Wisconsin Legislature tries to undermine UW-Madison
Welcome to Wisconsin: Legislative leaders immediately slammed the newly named chancellor for the university’s flagship campus for being too liberal.
UW education dean Diana Hess to serve as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs
Diana Hess, dean of the UW-Madison School of Education, will become interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on June 1, when Provost John Karl Scholz takes over as the interim chancellor, UW said on Tuesday.
Both style and substance keyed Rebecca Blank’s success
It was one in a series of heartfelt goodbyes. Rebecca Blank stood at the entrance in a roped-off lobby area of the Discovery Building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus at what was billed as a “community leadership reception” earlier this month. The chancellor, in the final days of her nine years in Madison, greeted each of the few dozen arriving attendees to wish her, per the invitation, a “fond farewell” as she leaves to become president of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Welcome to Wisconsin Dr. Mnookin, and apologies for our Assembly speaker
Editorial: The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, a diverse body made up appointees from current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and defeated former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, united across lines of partisanship and ideology to unanimously select Dr. Jennifer L. Mnookin to serve as the 30th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Free speech doesn’t apply for Mnookin
Letter to the editor: It’s kind of ironic that the Republicans decrying Jennifer Mnookin being named chancellor of UW-Madison are all claiming to want a chancellor who believes in free speech, given that it is Mnookin’s speech, and her free expression of her beliefs, that are the stated basis for their opposition.
Jennifer Mnookin gets a withering blast of GOP diplomacy
Welcome to Wisconsin, Jennifer Mnookin. There was a time when we actually gave someone hired to take an important job like leading the campus of our world-class university a chance to prove herself. But the state with the historic motto “Forward” hasn’t been like that for the past decade or so.
Incoming UW chancellor places premium on “belonging”
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor-designate Jennifer Mnookin said Tuesday that helping students of all races and ethnicities feel like they belong on campus will be one of her top priorities.
UCLA law dean Jennifer Mnookin named next UW-Madison chancellor. Republicans are criticizing the selection.
Jennifer Mnookin, the dean of the University of California, Los Angeles law school, will become the next chancellor of Wisconsin’s flagship university this summer.
The UW System Board of Regents unanimously voted Monday for Mnookin, 54, to take the top post at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
‘Opportunity of a lifetime’: Attacked by GOP, incoming UW-Madison chancellor excited to seek common ground
A day after being pilloried by Republicans, incoming University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said she couldn’t be more excited for the “opportunity of a lifetime” and looks forward to working with the GOP-led Legislature.
Tommy Thompson questions the new UW-Madison hire, hopes she doesn’t bring ‘a California philosophy’
Former four-term Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, given the chance to defend the incoming University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor who has been criticized by Republican leaders, offered a lukewarm reaction to the hire.
Departing UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank tests positive for COVID-19
Departing UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank said Wednesday she has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms.
New UW-Madison leader deflects questions about GOP critics
New University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on Tuesday deflected questions during her first news conference about GOP critics who have painted her as an unabashed liberal and threatened to restrict funding if regents stand by the decision to hire her.
UW profs, Board of Regents show support for new chancellor after GOP attacks
Professors and Board of Regents Vice President Karen Walsh spoke out in support of University of Wisconsin-Madison’s next chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin, after some state Republicans criticized the hire.
Incoming UW-Madison chancellor to seek common ground with Republicans critical of her hire
Incoming UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said Tuesday she looks forward to “getting to know everybody,” including Republican lawmakers who took aim at her appointment almost immediately after it was announced.
UCLA law dean Jennifer Mnookin selected as UW-Madison chancellor
“I deeply admire UW-Madison’s dual commitment to educational access and research excellence, as well as its mission to serve and to contribute to the state as a whole,” Mnookin said in a statement. With 17 years of experience at UCLA and six at the University of Virginia, Mnookin is no stranger to working at public universities. In a forum in early May, she said the Wisconsin Idea can serve as a national and global model for public universities.
Republicans knock Mnookin as pick for UW-Madison chancellor
As Madison-area Democrats cheered the selection of UCLA Law School Dean Jennifer Mnookin as the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s next chancellor, one of the state’s top Republicans urged the Board of Regents to reconsider its choice.
UCLA dean Jennifer Mnookin named UW-Madison’s next chancellor
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has selected Jennifer Mnookin as the next chancellor to lead UW-Madison. Mnookin, law school dean at UCLA, was unanimously approved as UW-Madison’s 30th chancellor, the regents announced in a Monday news release. Her appointment will take effect Aug. 4.
Five things to know about incoming UW-Madison chancellor Jennifer Mnookin
Jennifer Mnookin has been named as the next chancellor to lead UW-Madison. She will be the university’s 30th chancellor. Her appointment takes effect Aug. 4.
Regents pick UCLA law school dean to lead UW-Madison
Jennifer Mnookin was picked to succeed outgoing Chancellor Rebecca Blank, the regents said. Mnookin holds a law degree from Yale and has served as dean of the School of Law at UCLA since 2015. She also has served as a law professor at the University of Virginia.
Full UW-Madison commencement thunders back to Camp Randall
After years of the COVID-19 pandemic’s shuttering of dear traditions, UW-Madison had its first proper spring commencement in three years on Saturday. As the smiling faces of friends and families packed the stands at Camp Randall, the theme of change, for students and the university, ran through the words of speakers and the audience of 42,000 people.
Rebecca Blank advises successor to improve campus climate, seek flexibility
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank says she will miss the Memorial Union Terrace, Badgers game days and Bucky. What she won’t miss, she told reporters Wednesday, are the hurdles in leading “one of the more constrained and regulated universities in the country.”
Rebecca Blank weighs in on ‘enormous’ NCAA changes, NIL as she gets set to leave Wisconsin
Rebecca Blank isn’t sure what’s coming next in college athletics but as she prepares to leave her job as UW-Madison chancellor she said there will be challenges for her successor.
UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank: Campus survey shows unfinished work for marginalized groups
Outgoing UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said a recent campus survey which found that students in marginalized groups feel less safe than majority groups on campus represents “unfinished business” for her successor.
Outgoing UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank suggests ‘persistence and stubbornness’ for successor
On the cusp of leaving the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chancellor Rebecca Blank used a final news conference Wednesday to take somewhat of a victory lap, saying she is leaving the university on strong financial footing and in a much better place.
But she also took the opportunity to highlight “unfinished agenda” items, such as increasing diversity and students’ sense of belonging on campus.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist John Karl Scholz leads with campus experience
Provost John Karl Scholz sees a bright future ahead for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One of five finalists for UW-Madison chancellor, Scholz spoke in a public forum Friday, outlining three strategies to help the university achieve success: engaging with stakeholders, expanding campus resources and listening to the community.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist John Karl Scholz points to track record of campus successes
UW-Madison chancellor finalist John Karl Scholz said it’s going to take a three-pronged effort to address the challenges the university faces, such as the need for additional resources and the increasingly polarized view of the value of higher education.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Ann Cudd sees opportunity to expand research
University of Pittsburgh provost Ann Cudd sees higher education’s potential to inspire people and create knowledge that benefits the world.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist outlines ways to boost higher ed’s image
UW-Madison leaders hoping to convince a sometimes skeptical public and their elected representatives of the value of higher education need to come prepared with a few key arguments and stay on message, one of the five finalists for the university’s chancellorship said during a public forum Thursday.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Ann Cudd wants to restore confidence in value of college degree
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Ann Cudd is troubled by the statistics that show a large swath of the public believe leading research universities are headed in the wrong direction. “Top research universities need to both ensure and better communicate that most of their students actually graduate on time and their return on investment is, financially and socially, very highly beneficial,” she said.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Jennifer Mnookin aims to promote diversity
Jennifer Mnookin, dean of the UCLA School of Law, says the Wisconsin Idea can serve as a national and global model for public universities. One of five finalists for University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor, Mnookin said the university’s tenet of education extending beyond the classroom has even benefitted her own family.
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Daniel Reed says collaboration is key in position
In a public forum at the Memorial Union on Monday, Reed spoke about how he’d approach the chancellor position. Drawing from his experiences in academia and the corporate world, he said he would use the opportunity to help UW-Madison “define the future of higher education.”
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Jennifer Mnookin’s pitch: Make Wisconsin idea a national model
Mnookin, who is one of five finalists vying to become the next UW-Madison chancellor, said she donated a kidney to her father in late 2020. The organ made its way from Los Angeles, where Mnookin leads the University of California Los Angeles law school, to her dad in Boston thanks to a solution developed at UW-Madison that extends the time that an organ can be safely stored outside of a body
UW-Madison chancellor finalist Daniel Reed brings blend of corporate, academic experience
As a computer science professor, Daniel Reed often turns to data when arguing about the value of a college degree. But sometimes, he said, those who need convincing don’t want more data points or details. The UW-Madison chancellor finalist said one of the more successful models in advocating for the university is relying on the campus community — the students learning in class, the faculty making life-changing discoveries — to tell that story.
UW-Madison chancellor finalists named
Five finalists have been named in the search for the next University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank, the second-longest serving leader of the state’s flagship university, will step down in at the end of May to become the president of Northwestern University in Illinois.
Five finalists selected for UW-Madison chancellor
The finalists include Ann Cudd, a University of Pittsburgh provost, senior vice chancellor and professor; Marie Miranda, a University of Notre Dame professor and former provost; Jennifer Mnookin, law school dean and professor at University of California, Los Angeles; Daniel Reed, a University of Utah professor and former provost and John Karl Scholz, a UW-Madison provost and professor.
5 finalists named in UW-Madison chancellor search
The list released Wednesday — comprising two men and three women — includes no politicians and just one candidate with known ties to the university. Another candidate spent several years working in a leadership position at a large corporation but, like the others, has spent most of his career in academia.
Five academics, including one internal candidate, will vie to be the next chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Five academics have been named finalists for the role of University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor, the UW System announced Wednesday.
Exit interview: UW-Madison chancellor discusses faculty retention, politics and funding
Outgoing University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said after being in “deep trouble” in 2015, the university today is in “very strong shape” when it comes to attracting and retaining faculty.
An exit interview with Chancellor Rebecca Blank
Rebecca Blank has been the chancellor of UW Madison since 2013, steering the university through the pandemic, an imposed tuition freeze, and growing awareness of social justice issues. We have an exit interview with the chancellor as she leaves to become the president of Northwestern University.