Charles Lee Isbell, Jr. has been named the eleventh chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He will also serve as vice president of the University of Illinois System. He will begin his new role on August 1.
According to the most federal data, the University of Illinois’ flagship Urbana-Champaign campus enrolls over 35,000 undergraduate students and nearly 21,000 graduate students. Black students represent 5 percent of the undergraduate population.
With over two decades of higher education leadership experience, Dr. Isbell has been serving as provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Earlier, he spent 20 years on the faculty of the Georgia Institute of Technology. While there, he served as executive associate dean and later as dean of the College of Computing.
As an academic, Dr. Isbell studies artificial intelligence and machine learning. His research focuses on interactive and human-centered systems, with applications in education, ethics, and social impact.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be appointed to the role of chancellor and I’m deeply grateful to [University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen] and the board of trustees,” said Dr. Isbell. “I’m energized by this chance to serve the citizens of Illinois and advance the mission of learning, discovery, engagement and economic development.”
A native of Atlanta, Dr. Isbell received his bachelor’s degree in information and computer science from Georgia Tech. He holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
