Jennifer L. Mnookin, JD, PhD, is the 30th leader of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a national expert on law, forensic science, and evidence and has deep experience as an innovative and talented administrator.

Prior to joining UW–Madison, Chancellor Mnookin served as dean of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Professor of Law. She first joined the UCLA Law faculty in 2005, she served as Vice Dean for Faculty and Research from 2007 to 2009, and Vice Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Intellectual Life in 2012–13. She became dean in 2015.

She received her A.B. from Harvard University, her J.D. from Yale Law School, and a Ph.D. in History and Social Study of Science and Technology from M.I.T.

In 2020, Chancellor Mnookin was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also serves on the advisory board of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. She served for six years on the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Science, Technology and Law, and co-chaired a group of senior advisors for a President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report on the use of forensic science in criminal courts.

LaVar J. Charleston, PhD, is the vice chancellor for inclusive excellence at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also serves as the Elzie Higginbottom director of the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA).

In his role as vice chancellor for inclusive excellence, Charleston provides overall leadership for the university’s efforts to create inclusive learning and working environments for all students, staff, faculty, alumni, and campus partners. Charleston collaborates with leadership across the university’s schools, colleges and divisions, as well as shared governance groups, to promote pluralism and inclusive excellence while fostering a sense of belonging within the UW–Madison community.

As director of the DDEEA, Charleston oversees transformative data-informed programs and services designed to empower students, faculty, and staff to flourish in a diverse and ever-changing world.

A first-generation college graduate and Badger alumnus from Detroit, Dr. Charleston earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the UW–Madison School of Education in 2007 and 2010.