Columbia University selected Jennifer Mnookin, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as its next president. Mnookin, who has led UW–Madison since 2022, will remain at Madison through spring commencement before assuming the Columbia role. Her record includes boosting research spending and launching targeted financial-aid programs for Pell-eligible and tribal students. Columbia has cycled through four leaders since 2023 amid protests, federal funding disputes and internal turmoil. The Board positioned Mnookin for her experience navigating polarized state politics and federal scrutiny in Madison, signaling a priority on stabilizing research funding and governance. University leaders and trustees will watch how she handles federal compliance, campus climate, and research recovery as Columbia seeks to restore institutional steadiness.