Charles Lee Isbell Jr. Named Chancellor of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS) — Charles Lee Isbell Jr. has been named the new chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The announcement was made by Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, on June 5, 2025.

Isbell, who is currently the provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will also take on the role of vice president of the University of Illinois System. His official start date is set for August 1, pending approval from the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, with some duties beginning on July 16.

Killeen praised Isbell’s selection following an extensive national search that attracted a wide range of qualified candidates. “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,” Killeen said.

Isbell, 56, brings over two decades of experience in higher education leadership, previously serving as the executive associate dean and later the dean of the College of Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in launching the university’s innovative Online Master of Science in Computer Science program.

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be appointed to the role of chancellor, and I’m deeply grateful to President Killeen and the Board of Trustees,” Isbell said. “I’m energized by this chance to serve the citizens of Illinois and advance the mission of learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.”

Isbell holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research in artificial intelligence and machine learning has been widely acknowledged, and he is a Fellow of both the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the Association for Computing Machinery.

In addition to his academic achievements, Isbell is known for advocating for broader participation in STEM fields, especially in computing. His work has been highlighted in major publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post. He and his wife, Sheila, have two children, Cody and Joni.