Meet Interim Provost Zumbrunnen

Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen

John Zumbrunnen began serving as UW-Madison’s interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs in June of 2025, succeeding Charles Lee Isbell, Jr., who served as provost from 2023-2025.

Interim Provost Zumbrunnen, professor of political science, studies the history of political thought, democratic theory, and American political thought. Zumbrunnen is a past recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, the Phi Beta Kappa Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award. Alongside his administrative work, he continues to lead study abroad programs, most recently in Singapore, and soon, in Ecuador. Prior to taking on the role of interim provost, Zumbrunnen was vice provost for teaching and learning, faculty director of Chadbourne Residential College, an educational innovation senior fellow, and chair of the Department of Political Science.

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

The provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is the deputy to the chancellor in the overall academic leadership and administrative management of the university. The provost acts as the chief executive officer of the institution in the chancellor’s absence.

Primary responsibilities of the position include oversight of all academic program and budget planning involving 13 schools and colleges; faculty and staff development, and personnel matters; as well as, oversight of the following areas: enrollment management, including undergraduate recruitment and admissions, student financial aid, and registrar; teaching and learning; outreach, extension and public media; information technology (in collaboration with the vice chancellor for finance and administration); libraries; and international affairs.

The provost also oversees a number of specific units and programs including the Office of Data, Academic Planning and Institutional Research (DAPIR); the Office of Strategic Consulting; the Chazen Museum of Art; the Division of the Arts; the Global Health Institute; the Office of Sustainability (in collaboration with the vice chancellor for finance and administration); and the UW Press.