Zumbrunnen Named UW-Madison Provost
A political science professor since 2008 and former department chair, he stepped into the interim provost role last summer.
UW-Madison announced on Monday, March 9 the appointment of John Zumbrunnen as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin praised Zumbrunnen’s principled leadership and strong commitments to the Wisconsin Idea, shared governance, student success and excellence in research and teaching.
“Both in his service as interim provost and in several preceding leadership roles here at UW–Madison, John has earned the broad trust of our students, faculty, and through his thoughtful engagement on a wide range of complex issues,” Mnookin said in a campus-wide message.
Zumbrunnen, a political science professor since 2008 and former department chair, stepped into the interim provost role last summer. He co-founded the Division for Teaching and Learning, helped lead the Wisconsin RISE initiative to address grand challenges through interdisciplinary research and oversaw the creation of the university’s new AI-focused college.
As interim provost, he managed budget pressures, new faculty workload policies and the sunset of the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement. Support programs were redistributed, but many student cultural centers, scholarships and key services remain in place.
The two other finalists in the provost search were Anna Stenport from the University of Georgia and Charles Martinez Jr. from the University of Texas-Austin. All three finalists - Zumbrunnen, Stenport and Martinez - have previously expressed their support for DEI programs on college campuses.
“We should never rest on that continuous and fearless process of sifting and winnowing we talk so much about,” Zumbrunnen said in an emailed statement to The Federalist.
The university maintains diversity as a core value, including viewpoints, identities and backgrounds. Zumbrunnen helped implement recommendations from the Student Experience Group report, which focuses on tailored support, continuous assessment and resource stewardship to expand pathways for all students.
He has publicly affirmed the commitment to free speech while addressing concerns about bias, and he participated in a campus forum on antisemitism, resilience and inclusive higher education environments in 2024.
In late February, the three provost finalists pitched their plans for the role. Zumbrunnen tied his vision to former Chancellor Charles Van Hise’s declaration to never be content. He stressed preparing students for a dynamic world through rigorous education that prioritizes quality and impact over raw numbers. “It’s not about ‘will we attract 8,500 students here?’ It’s about what students do we want to attract here, and what experience do we want them to have?”
Zumbrunnen also advanced the Wisconsin Exchange program, which builds civil dialogue, viewpoint diversity and respectful debate across political divides. “The Wisconsin Idea is not just a principle. It’s not just pride. It is a challenge to us,” he said.
Zumbrunnen’s knowledge of campus operations and shared governance set him apart in the national search. During public presentations, he addressed political pressures on higher education values and the need to build trust amid disagreements.
Stenport, dean at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, previously held an appointment in the Gender and Women’s Studies department at the University of Illinois. She emphasized multidisciplinary collaboration to foster inclusion and strengthen college identity, linking it to the Wisconsin Idea through public service and a “one health” approach.
Martinez, Dean of the College of Education at UT-Austin, drew on his family’s immigrant experience to describe universities as “door-openers, not gate-keepers.” He focused on affordability, social mobility and tying research directly to the Wisconsin Idea. His departure from UT-Austin sparked controversy amid state debates over higher education priorities.
As provost, Zumbrunnen provides continuity as the campus begins its chancellor search following Mnookin’s departure to Columbia University. With Eric Wilcots serving as interim chancellor, the new provost will help guide academic priorities at a pivotal time.
Zumbrunnen told The Federalist that his focus remains on advancing the mission with deans and partners. “Priorities for me are to look to the future, think about how we can advance research that impacts lives and improves the world.”
He said he wants to “build on what is already an amazing educational experience for our students.”
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