Northwestern University has named Purdue University President Mung Chiang as its 18th president, marking a significant leadership transition for the Evanston-based institution. The Board of Trustees announced the appointment on Monday, confirming that Chiang will officially assume his new role on July 1.
Chiang, who has led Purdue University since January 2023, is set to become the first Asian American president in Northwestern’s history. His selection concludes a national search launched in December 2024 to find a permanent successor to Michael Schill, who resigned from the university’s top post in September 2025.
The appointment of Mung Chiang as the 18th Northwestern president comes at a pivotal moment for the university. The institution recently navigated a period of intense federal scrutiny, which resulted in a November 2025 agreement with the Trump administration to restore research funding following a government freeze of $790 million in April 2025.
A Background in Engineering and Public Policy
Chiang brings an extensive academic and administrative portfolio to Northwestern. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and mathematics, as well as his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering, from Stanford University. Before his tenure at Purdue, he spent 14 years at Princeton University, where he became one of the institution’s youngest chair professors and directed the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education.
At Purdue, Chiang’s leadership was characterized by a focus on large-scale technological and strategic investments. He played a key role in designing and implementing the 2022 federal CHIPS and Science Act and secured $3.9 billion in investments for an artificial intelligence memory chip packaging facility. In 2020, he made history as the first engineer to serve as the science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State, a nonpartisan appointment that underscored his influence in national policy circles.
“I have long admired Northwestern for its dedication to interdisciplinary scholarship, artistic creation and impactful research, its tremendous healthcare system, and its palpable school spirit,” Chiang said in a university statement following the announcement.
Leadership Transition and University Continuity
The transition process will bridge the gap between the current interim leadership and the upcoming academic year. Henry Bienen, who served as Northwestern’s president from 1995 to 2009 and returned to the role on an interim basis following Schill’s departure, will continue to manage university operations through the end of June.
The search process, led by Board of Trustees Vice Chair Steve Cahillane, sought a candidate capable of navigating the complex landscape of a modern, comprehensive research university. Cahillane noted that throughout the search, Chiang consistently highlighted Northwestern’s unique interdisciplinary culture as a primary driver for innovation.
“Mung has his sights set on advancing and enhancing Northwestern among the world’s great research institutions,” said Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris. “Through his stellar academic and administrative leadership at multiple institutions, Mung has demonstrated his ability to harness opportunity and momentum while embracing the breadth and depth of a university.”
Key Leadership Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | Federal government freezes $790 million in research funding. |
| September 2025 | President Michael Schill resigns; Henry Bienen named interim president. |
| November 2025 | Northwestern reaches deal with the Trump administration to restore funding. |
| December 2025 | University officially launches the search for the 18th president. |
| July 1, 2026 | Mung Chiang begins his tenure as president. |
Priorities for the Incoming Administration
As Chiang prepares for his move to Evanston, he has indicated that his immediate focus will be on community engagement. He plans to meet with representatives from across the university’s 12 colleges and schools, as well as stakeholders ranging from students to the Board of Trustees.
“I will listen to every one of the 12 colleges and schools, cheer every one of the 21 sports teams, visit Northwestern Medicine hospitals, and participate in every cherished campus tradition,” Chiang said. By prioritizing these personal connections, the incoming president aims to align his strategic vision with the existing strengths of the university’s diverse academic community.
The university is expected to provide further details regarding the inauguration and transition schedule in the coming months. For official updates and information regarding the university’s strategic direction, members of the community are encouraged to monitor the official Northwestern University news portal.
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