Charles Lee Isbell Jr. has been named the next chancellor of the University and vice president of the University of Illinois System, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. The announcement came in a Massmail today from Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System.
On July 16, Isbell will begin serving in a “designate capacity” as Chancellor Robert Jones concludes his term. Isbell will formally assume the role on August 1.
“It was one of the great honors of my life to serve as your chancellor for the past nine years,” Jones wrote in an Instagram post. “And now, I’m happy to pass the extraordinary responsibility to the 11th chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Charles Lee Isbell Jr.”
Isbell is the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s current provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Before joining UW–Madison, he spent 20 years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, serving as executive associate dean and later dean of the College of Computing. Isbell also has research interests in artificial intelligence, publishing over 100 research papers.
“As I grew to know Dr. Isbell, I soon realized that he should be the next chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,” Killeen said. “He has a clear, creative and inspiring vision for what public higher education can and should be and for how this great university will continue to work for the people of our state in the years ahead.”
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The process to select the next chancellor involved a search committee that interviewed candidates across the country and presented a final list to Killeen for selection. Alex Belanger, rising junior in LAS and member of the search committee, said that while there was a diverse pool of applicants, Isbell’s choice reflects the need for stability.
“Dr. Isbell will bring some stability in a period where it’s so unstable in higher education,” Belanger said. “I think that there’s a lot of people that could come in that could bring in a much different vision, and I don’t think that he lacks vision, but I also think that with his experience, he’ll bring in some stability.”
In a statement following the announcement, Isbell expressed gratitude for the appointment and outlined his enthusiasm for the role.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be appointed to the role of chancellor and I’m deeply grateful to President Killeen and the Board of Trustees,” Isbell said. “I’m energized by this chance to serve the citizens of Illinois and advance the mission of learning, discovery, engagement and economic development.”