From a recent story in Reuters.
Three top U.S. universities selected former law school deans as their incoming presidents in recent months — a sign that campuses are seeking out leaders with legal expertise amid a challenging time for higher education.
Columbia University on Sunday named Jennifer Mnookin — a former University of California at Los Angeles School of Law dean and current University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor — as its next president. The University of Michigan earlier this month chose former Washington University in St. Louis law dean and current Syracuse University chancellor Kent Syverud as its incoming president. In October, Georgetown University selected former Cornell law dean and current Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver as its next top leader.
Karen Sloan, US Universities Turn to Lawyers as Leaders in Turbulent Year, Reuters, Jan. 29, 2026. For earlier coverage see earlier stories on TaxProfBlog. Columbia Board of Trustees Announces Jennifer L. Mnookin as the University’s Next President, Jan. 26, 2026; Kent Syverud’s Legacy, Jan. 13, 2026. See also Patricia E. Salkin, May It Please The Campus: Lawyers Leading in Higher Education (2021).
