Bashir Presents as UW-Madison Chancellor Finalist

The University of Illinois engineering dean is one of three finalists presenting to the campus community this week.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in People

Bashir Presents as UW-Madison Chancellor Finalist

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Rashid Bashir, dean of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering, presented Monday in the Memorial Union as a finalist for chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Three finalists are visiting campus this week, with public presentations scheduled daily at Tripp Commons.

Why it matters

The chancellor will lead one of the nation's largest public research universities following Jennifer Mnookin's departure in May to become president of Columbia University. Madison residents and the university community will have a voice through an online feedback survey before the UW system's Board of Regents makes its appointment.

More than 100 people attended Bashir's Monday presentation, and more than 70 submissions were gathered to shape the finalist questions. The regents' committee has not yet announced which finalist it will recommend.

The players

Rashid Bashir

Dean of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering since 2018, and a finalist for UW-Madison chancellor.

Radenka Maric

President of the University of Connecticut, scheduled to present as a UW-Madison chancellor finalist on Friday.

John Coleman

Provost at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, scheduled to present as a UW-Madison chancellor finalist on Thursday.

The details

Bashir, who has led Illinois' engineering college since 2018 and came to the U.S. from Pakistan at age 15, presented Monday. John Coleman, provost at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, presents Thursday, and Radenka Maric, president of the University of Connecticut, presents Friday; presentations will not be streamed online.

Monday, Nov. 9, 2026: Bashir presents to more than 100 people at the Memorial Union.
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026: Coleman presents, and the regents committee begins interviews.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026: Maric presents, and the committee continues interviews.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 10:30 a.m.: The online community feedback survey closes.

Leadership Vacancy

The search follows Jennifer Mnookin's May 2026 exit from UW-Madison to lead Columbia University, leaving the flagship campus to fill its top post. The regents will select the next chancellor, with a start expected next year.

Madison residents can weigh in through the online feedback survey until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, shaping the community's input before the regents decide. Because presentations are not streamed, attending in person at Tripp Commons is the only way to see the finalists speak directly.

The takeaway

Residents who want input into the chancellor choice should complete the online survey before it closes Saturday at 10:30 a.m., since the regents' decision will follow soon after the finalist interviews.

What happens next

Finalist presentations continue Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13, with the regents committee conducting interviews Thursday through Saturday before recommending a candidate to the full board. The community feedback survey closes Saturday at 10:30 a.m.