Robert J. Jones, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been selected as the University of Washington's 34th President. Jones' tenure begins August 1, 2025, marking a historic moment as the first African American to lead the institution.
The University of Washington Board of Regents has announced Robert J. Jones as the university's next president. Jones will assume the role of the 34th President of the University of Washington, beginning his five-year term on August 1, 2025. Notably, he will be the first African American to hold this position in the university's history. Jones succeeds Ana Mari Cauce, who stepped down in June after a decade as President. Jones boasts a distinguished career in higher education .
His appointment at UW marks his third time leading a public research university. Currently, he serves as the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and previously held the position of President at the University of Albany. During his tenure at Illinois, Jones spearheaded the Illinois Commitment, a program guaranteeing four years of free tuition to Illinois families with incomes under $75,000. Under his leadership, the university experienced growth in enrollment and the establishment of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. His accomplishments earned him an invitation from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to co-vice chair the Innovate Illinois initiative, aimed at coordinating the state's research investments.At Albany, Jones initiated the largest academic expansion in half a century, according to his biography, adding new units, programs, and expanding opportunities for research and experiential learning. His research expertise lies in crop physiology, and he holds prominent leadership roles in national academic organizations and the Big Ten Conference. 'We are thrilled to welcome Chancellor Jones to the UW community and excited to accelerate the UW’s public mission of accessibly, preserving, advancing and disseminating knowledge under his experienced leadership,' said UW Board Chair Blaine Tamaki. 'His inspiring and barrier-breaking personal journey, highly regarded scholarship and decades of transformative leadership convinced us that Chancellor Jones is the ideal person to build upon President Ana Mari Cauce’s legacy. I believe he will lead us into our next chapter of providing educational excellence at scale, top-quality healthcare to all, regardless of need, transformative research, and public service to the state of Washington and the world. We welcome him and his wife, Dr. Lynn Hassan Jones, to Washington and the UW.' 'Having known and worked with Robert within AAU, APLU and the Big Ten Conference, I know he will bring a deep and demonstrated commitment to scholarship, innovation, research and especially, access to excellence for students regardless of their means or background,' said Cauce. 'I am honored to be joining the University of Washington and excited to lead this extraordinary public university in its mission serving students, families and communities across Washington and beyond,' said Jones. 'The UW is globally renowned as a home of outstanding teaching, research, innovation and patient care. I look forward to working with the UW’s talented and dedicated faculty and staff to support and accelerate their work, and to partnering with the UW’s supporters to advance students’ success, economic opportunity and discovery for the public good.' Jones begins his first five-year term on August 1
University Of Washington President Robert J. Jones Higher Education Leadership History Making African American
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