Chancellor
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) invites nominations and applications for a dedicated and inspiring leader to serve as its next Chancellor. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a globally recognized institution distinguished by world-class teaching, groundbreaking research, and a longstanding commitment to public service and the Wisconsin Idea – the principle that the University’s influence should improve lives well beyond the boundaries of its campus.
UW-Madison is the flagship of the Universities of Wisconsin and a member of the Association of American Universities. As a land-grant institution with one of the nation’s largest research enterprises, UW-Madison ranks fifth nationally in research expenditures, generating nearly $2 billion in research activity annually. The University has long advanced discovery, innovation, economic development, and the public good. Few universities can match UW-Madison’s breadth of excellence across the sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture, business, education, law, the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts.
At a pivotal moment for public higher education, UW-Madison is poised to lead. In 2026, the University launched Forward, Together, an ambitious campus-wide strategic framework intended to guide the campus’ next era of excellence. Financially strong and with one of the most loyal and generous philanthropic bases, UW-Madison is investing in its future, expanding its impact through efforts such as the signature RISE initiative, which is catalyzing interdisciplinary scholarship through strategic hiring and expanded computational capacity.
Reporting to the Universities of Wisconsin President and the Board of Regents, the Chancellor oversees an institution consisting of 28,000 faculty and staff, over 50,000 students, and an operating budget of $4.95 billion. UW-Madison seeks a leader who can chart an ambitious course for an institution of extraordinary scale, leveraging its distinctive public mission, vast intellectual capital, and broad strengths to define the role of a leading public university in today’s landscape. The next Chancellor will be a champion for the University across Wisconsin and will develop a vision and plan to propel the University toward even greater national and global prominence. The successful candidate will value transparency, academic freedom, inclusive excellence, and shared governance while serving as an energetic and enthusiastic spokesperson and chief fundraiser for the University.
Application materials must be submitted electronically and should include a letter of interest that addresses the candidate’s experiences and qualifications as identified in the search prospectus and a curriculum vitae. For fullest consideration, application and nomination materials should be submitted by September 10, 2026, through the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-wisconsin-madison/chancellor
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action educator and employer.
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