Big 10: What would you like to see in the next UI chancellor?

To subscribe, click here.

To submit a letter to the editor, click here.

To pitch a ‘My Turn’ guest column, email [email protected].

Want to purchase today’s print edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locations.

Sign up for our daily newsletter here

Wrapping up a three-part miniseries inspired by last week’s news that 2024-25 would be Robert Jones’ last school year as chancellor, we asked another panel of alums: What would you like to see in the 11th head of the Urbana campus?

City clerk of Chicago since 2017

“I would love to see the next UI chancellor continuing to focus on the U of I as a global renowned university that also is an affordable option for working families.

“As a first-generation college student, it was the University of Illinois that opened doors of opportunity for me and helped launch my career.

“However, I was only able to attend because of the financial support offered by generous financial aid and grant packages. It’s important that students continue to have a world-class education and be able to obtain it without being in a mountain of debt.”

Maryknoll Lay Missioner worked in East Africa for 33 years; received 2005 UI Alumni Humanitarian Award

“I hope the next chancellor will support the importance of creative nonviolence in all campus social interactions and put policy and programs in place to assist students and staff to utilize these skills.

“I grew up in Urbana during the 1960s campus riots, and the recent campus violence reminded me there is still progress to be made.

“Dorothy Day once attended the U of I. Her commitment to pacifism in the Catholic Worker movement stands together with Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Jesus as examples of people who used nonviolent and effective strategies to confront injustice and advocate peacefully.”

All-American football receiver, Greyfield Legacies CEO and St. Joseph resident

“Abraham Lincoln said: ‘You can please some of the people all the time and all the people some of the time. But you can’t please all the people all the time.’

“Great leadership is dealing with and leading All the people, made up of some who love you leading them, and others who don’t.

“We need a man or woman as our new chancellor who has the courage to do just that.”

2015 UI Comeback Award honoree one of America’s most esteemed agri-marketers

“My wish for the next chancellor would be another Jones.

“One who understand the land-grant roots from which the university came. The importance of greatness from every curriculum and the need to support each to their fullness. Has a commitment to academic excellence while respecting the views of others.

“Most importantly, someone who brings common sense to the molding of young minds to achieve greatness on their own and be a productive and contributing member of society that helps keep the university, the state and this country the great nation we are.”

Partner at Chicago law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP serves on board of UI’s Research Park

“Someone with the same excellent listening skills as Chancellor Jones. He always makes me feel like my voice is heard and that my comments matter.”

Harry E. Preble emeritus professor at School of Earth, Society and Environment; special advisor to the UI president

“One of the many outstanding aspects of the tenure of Robert Jones as chancellor has been a well-demonstrated concern for and caring of both the students and the faculty — we will want to maintain that while addressing a whole new set of challenges facing the new chancellor.

“The dependence of major universities like ours on federal support for educational programs, for scholarship support and for maintaining the substantial role we play in research and technology innovations are likely to be affected over the next four years, and will take a special talent to navigate successfully.”

Longtime Stanford professor awarded 2023’s National Medal of Technology and Innovation

“Someone like Purdue’s new president, Ming Chiang.”

Former Illinois state representative, senator and lieutenant governor; university president at Boise State (2003-18) and Eastern Kentucky (1998-2002)

“Over the years, Illini presidents have served as extraordinary communicators promoting the value of the educated citizen to our state and nation.

“With higher education now facing challenges far more serious to the mission than ever, the next University of Illinois president must not only have a strategic vision for how the university can best serve its students of today and tomorrow, but he or she must also have a passion for promoting and defending university faculty both in the classroom and in their research.”

Managing broker, The Real Estate Group of Champaign

“We need a chancellor who will continue to broaden our reach in the world with international students as they’re attracted to our world class institution, while respecting our obligation to aggressively recruit and retain our best and brightest in the state of Illinois.”

Former executive director, Illinois Board of Higher Education (2014-17)

“I hope for a leader committed to academic excellence who understands excellence requires a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. A leader equipped to be the public intellectual we need to protect and defend the values of higher education and vulnerable students against the attacks on both we can expect over the next four years.”