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. During his time at UW, Zumbrunnen has held a variety of academic and administrative leadership positions. Most recently, he served as senior vice provost for academic affairs and vice provost for teaching and learning, in which he oversaw and helped found the Division for Teaching and Learning.

Interim Provost Zumbrunnen is a professor of political science. He studies the history of political thought, democratic theory, and American political thought, with a particular interest in the challenges and possibilities of democratic citizenship. He has published two books, along with articles in top journals including American Political Science Review and Political Theory.

Zumbrunnen has long been passionate about teaching and about students’ educational journeys. He previously served as an Educational Innovation Senior Fellow and as faculty director of Chadbourne Residential College, and is a 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, among others. Alongside his administrative duties, he continues to lead international study abroad programs, including in Ecuador, Ireland and Singapore.

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.