Northwestern University has appointed Mung Chiang, the current president of Purdue University, as its next president, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. The announcement, made by Northwestern’s Board of Trustees on May 18, 2026, ushers in a new era for the university as Chiang prepares to assume office on July 1. He will succeed interim president Henry Bienen—himself a former Northwestern leader—who has served since the resignation of Michael Schill in September 2025. At 49, Chiang brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to interdisciplinary excellence, and the distinction of being Northwestern’s first Asian American president.
Chiang’s appointment follows a rigorous, months-long global search that engaged faculty, staff, alumni, students, and trustees. According to Steve Cahillane, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and vice chair of the Board of Trustees, “Mung emerged as a brilliant mind and driven leader who brings relatable and authentic qualities to the way he operates—a great combination to lead Northwestern.”
Chiang’s professional journey is as impressive as it is diverse. Since January 2023, he has served as president of Purdue University, one of the nation’s largest public research institutions and a fellow Big Ten university. Purdue’s main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, is home to 58,000 students, and under Chiang’s leadership, the university has seen a period of rapid growth and transformation. Notably, Purdue’s research expenditures topped $1 billion, and the university secured $3.9 billion in investments for the construction of an advanced artificial intelligence memory chip packaging facility. These achievements came alongside the creation of new strategic partnerships with industry and significant advances in technology, health, and business initiatives.
Chiang’s leadership at Purdue was marked by a commitment to excellence at scale. As Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris stated, “Through his stellar academic and administrative leadership at multiple institutions, Mung has demonstrated his ability to harness opportunity and momentum while embracing the breadth and depth of a university.” Purdue’s most selective incoming class, highest graduation rate, most successful fundraising year, and the largest federal and industry research grants in its history all occurred during Chiang’s tenure. “There truly is something special at Purdue: not just the projects and programs, but also the people, who time after time set the standard for excellence at scale,” Chiang reflected in his farewell statement, according to the Journal & Courier.
Before his presidency at Purdue, Chiang served as dean of Purdue’s College of Engineering from 2017 to 2023 and as executive vice president for strategic initiatives from 2021 to 2023. His academic roots stretch back to Princeton University, where he spent 14 years and rose to become one of the youngest chair professors in the institution’s history. At Princeton, he chaired the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council and directed the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and mathematics, as well as a master’s and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University. In 2025, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Dartmouth College.
Chiang’s professional accolades extend beyond academia. In 2020, he was appointed as the first engineer to serve as science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State, a nonpartisan role where he contributed to national policy on science and innovation. He also played a pivotal role in helping to design and implement the 2022 federal CHIPS and Science Act, which aimed to bolster America’s semiconductor industry and research capabilities.
As a first-generation immigrant, Chiang’s story resonates with many who understand the transformative power of education and opportunity. His research spans optimization of networks, fog networking and the Internet of Things, smart data pricing, network economics, and social learning networks. He holds 26 U.S. patents, most of which are licensed for network deployment, underscoring his impact on both the academic and technology sectors.
Northwestern’s announcement highlighted Chiang’s admiration for the university’s interdisciplinary culture, artistic creation, impactful research, and vibrant school spirit. “I have long admired Northwestern for its dedication to interdisciplinary scholarship, artistic creation and impactful research, its tremendous healthcare system, and its palpable school spirit,” Chiang said in the official news release. He added, “My first priority is to listen to and learn about Northwestern’s distinct culture and this community of scholarly and creative minds, because what matters most is the ‘who’ before the ‘what.’ I plan to engage with as many members of our community as possible: students and parents, faculty and staff, alumni and donors, neighbors and partners, as well as all the trustees. I will listen to every one of the 12 colleges and schools, cheer every one of the 21 sports teams, visit Northwestern Medicine hospitals, and participate in every cherished campus tradition.”
Chiang’s wife, Dr. YingKei Hui, will also join the Northwestern community, taking on a role as an internal medicine physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is part of Northwestern Medicine. The move underscores the family’s commitment to contributing to both the academic and health communities in Evanston and Chicago.
The transition comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity for Northwestern. The university recently faced intense federal scrutiny, culminating in a November 2025 agreement with the Trump administration to restore research funding after a freeze on $790 million earlier that year. Chiang’s experience navigating complex institutional and governmental landscapes is expected to serve Northwestern well as it continues to advance its research mission and global reputation.
Chiang’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm from university leadership and the broader academic community. Gary Lehman, chair of Purdue’s Board of Trustees, reflected on Chiang’s impact, saying, “We are ever grateful for Mung’s leadership as Purdue continues to impact lives with outstanding teaching, research and engagement. We will miss Mung and Kei and their positive influence on our campus and community. We wish them all the best as they move forward to the next steps in their careers.”
As Northwestern prepares for this leadership transition, the university community is looking forward to a president who values free expression, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation. Chiang’s background, achievements, and stated priorities suggest he is well-positioned to lead Northwestern into its next chapter, building on its legacy while embracing new opportunities and challenges.
With July 1 fast approaching, all eyes are on Evanston as Mung Chiang prepares to bring his vision, energy, and experience to one of the world’s leading research universities—a move that promises to shape the institution’s trajectory for years to come.