Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman has named Dr. Eric Wilcots as interim chancellor of UW-Madison effective May 17.
Wilcots, currently Dean of the College of Letters & Science, the university’s largest college, will succeed Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin when she departs to become President of Columbia University.
“Dean Wilcots is an energetic leader who will continue the positive momentum at our flagship while we search for a permanent successor to Chancellor Mnookin,” Rothman said in a statement. “He is extraordinarily well respected across the campus and has a deep knowledge of the university. He is the right person to continue to carry UW-Madison forward.”
Wilcots was named L & S dean in May 2020 and served in the interim role for several months before his permanent appointment. Prior to assuming the role of dean, he served as deputy dean of the college and associate dean for research, as well as associate dean for natural sciences. He has been part of the UW–Madison campus since 1995, when he started as a lecturer in the Department of Astronomy before joining the faculty a year later.
Dean Wilcots earned his undergraduate degree in astrophysical sciences from Princeton University and his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Washington. Having received his first telescope in his youth, his research has focused on the evolution of galaxies across time. Dean Wilcots once served as director of the long-running University in the Park, a series of free public astronomy events at Wisconsin’s state parks.
“I am both humbled and honored to be asked to serve in this leadership role at such a consequential time in UW-Madison’s history,” said Wilcots.
Dean Wilcots has won two university teaching awards and is co-chair of the Wisconsin Science Festival steering committee. In 2023, he also served as interim provost for UW-Madison.
