Charles Lee Isbell Jr. named chancellor at University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign
June 05, 2025 10:55 AMIsbell will formally assume the role Aug. 1, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. He will serve in a designate capacity beginning July 16 as current Chancellor Robert Jones completes his term.
Killeen said Isbell’s appointment follows an extensive national search that attracted a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates from across the country. Throughout the process, Isbell emerged as a standout — for his academic prowess, leadership experience, collaborative spirit, vision and passion for the transformative role of public higher education.
“As I grew to know Dr. Isbell, I soon realized that he should be the next chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign. He has a clear, creative and inspiring vision for what public higher education can and should be and for how this great university will continue to work for the people of our state in the years ahead,” Killeen said. “He brings a deep understanding of not only technology and its fast‑evolving, far‑reaching impacts, but also the vast range of disciplines that are integral to any great university and our society — the arts and humanities, the social sciences, STEM and so many more.
“Ultimately, I am thrilled to welcome Charles to Illinois and eager to work together to ensure that Urbana‑Champaign continues to be a thriving hub of educational excellence and groundbreaking research across its incredible range of disciplines, a place where the future we need comes to life,” Killeen added.
