Northwestern Names Purdue's Mung Chiang 18th President, Starting July 1
Updated
Updated · Northwestern Now · May 18
Northwestern Names Purdue's Mung Chiang 18th President, Starting July 1
7 articles · Updated · Northwestern Now · May 18
Mung Chiang will take over as Northwestern’s 18th president on July 1, ending a global search launched after Michael Schill stepped down in September 2025.
Chiang arrives from Purdue, where he has served as president since January 2023 and led the university past $1 billion in sponsored research spending.
At Purdue, he also secured $3.9 billion for an AI memory chip packaging facility, launched an Indianapolis urban campus and oversaw record graduation, fundraising and federal grant results.
Northwestern said Chiang emerged from a crowded candidate field after input from board members, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other community voices.
A first-generation immigrant and Northwestern’s first Asian American president, Chiang has also held national science advisory roles, including at the State Department and the U.S. Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation.
How will a key architect of the CHIPS Act navigate the academic freedom crisis he inherits at Northwestern University?
Can a leader praised for tech growth at Purdue rebuild trust at a university facing dissent over its federal settlement?
Northwestern Appoints Mung Chiang as 18th President: Leadership Transition, Vision, and Impact on Two Big Ten Universities
Overview
On May 18, 2026, Northwestern University announced Mung Chiang as its 18th president, following a thorough search process led by the Presidential Search Committee. Chiang, who begins his tenure on July 1, 2026, brings a strong record from Purdue University, where he led a transformative era marked by major growth in research and strategic partnerships. His appointment signals a new chapter for Northwestern, as the university looks to leverage his leadership experience to drive innovation and address future challenges. This transition highlights Northwestern’s commitment to academic excellence and forward-thinking leadership.