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May 17, 2026

Kristin Eschenfelder assumes role as College of Letters & Science Interim Dean

When Kristin Eschenfelder was a high school student in Virginia, she found herself drawn to Model United Nations, lured by the experience of role-playing representatives from faraway countries and learning the finer points of diplomacy. 

“You’re on a Security Council with a bunch of other people, and you’re given an issue, and you have to pretend to negotiate some solution,” says Eschenfelder, who most recently served as the College of Letters & Science’s associate dean and associate director for the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) and is a professor in the Information School. “It’s part theater, where you have to pretend to be different people and represent their interests, and part trying to develop some sort of solution.”

Those diplomatic and consensus-building skills she learned and honed over the course of her career are two of the many assets she brings to her newest role: Interim Dean of the College of Letters & Science. Eric M. Wilcots, the Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy who served as L&S Interim Dean in 2019 and then Dean beginning in 2020, assumed the role of UW–Madison’s Interim Chancellor on May 17, replacing departing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. 

Read more about Kristin Eschenfelder in New Interim Dean Looks to Build on Success.

May 17, 2026

Eric M. Wilcots assumes role as Interim Chancellor for the University of Wisconsin–Madison

March 19, 2026

Dean Spring Update

As the days grow longer and signs of spring begin to return to Madison, there is a sense of renewal and energy on campus. Our students lean into the work that comes with the nearing of the end of the academic year, whether it is preparing for a recital, completing those last assignments, or wrapping up a research project. It is also a moment to reflect on the many ways the College of Letters & Science continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students and of a changing world.

I also write to share some personal news. Beginning May 17, I will serve as Interim Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is an extraordinary honor to step into this role at a university that has shaped so many lives — including my own — and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. I am thankful as well for Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s thoughtful leadership and her steadfast commitment to our mission; she leaves UW–Madison stronger and well positioned for the future. While I will take on new responsibilities, my connection to the College of Letters & Science and to the people who make this community so special remains as strong as ever.

That spirit of forward momentum is evident in several important initiatives now taking shape across L&S. Among the most exciting is our expanding leadership at the intersection of the humanities, social sciences and emerging technologies in the field of artificial intelligence. This fall, we are planning to launch new opportunities for students to engage deeply with the ethical questions surrounding AI, including an interdisciplinary certificate focused on the ethics of data and AI led by our Department of Philosophy. Designed to complement majors across the College, this program will equip students to think critically about how technology shapes society, a perspective urgently needed in fields from public policy to healthcare and business.

At the same time, L&S faculty are helping lead a new humanities-centered artificial intelligence research initiative supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Center for Humanistic Inquiry into AI and Uncertainty will bring together scholars from across disciplines to examine how AI is transforming culture, communication, creativity and democratic life, ensuring that human values remain central as technology advances. These efforts exemplify what a liberal arts and science education does best: preparing students not only to innovate, but to guide innovation responsibly.

We are also preparing for a major milestone in the life sciences with the creation of a new Department of Biology. By bringing together expertise that has long distinguished L&S, this department will open new pathways for students interested in everything from molecular biology and genetics to ecology and environmental science. It will also position the College to lead cross-campus collaborations in the biological sciences, strengthening partnerships with colleagues in medicine, agriculture, engineering and beyond.

This moment also calls for a renewal of our commitment to civic engagement and democracy. L&S is a proud campus partner in the Wisconsin Exchange, a new initiative dedicated to advancing civil dialogue by cultivating a community where diverse viewpoints are expected, debated and respected. Colleagues across the College are developing a civics consortium that will expand opportunities for our students to deepen their understanding of civic engagement and public life. Together, our partnership with the Wisconsin Exchange and the growth of this consortium form the foundation of a broader democracy initiative, one designed to strengthen research on the core pillars of democratic society, engage students in the active practice of citizenship, and foster the skills of thoughtful dialogue and evidence-based decision-making that our communities and institutions depend on.

Taken together, these developments reflect a college that is both rooted in its values and boldly looking ahead. Whether preparing students to navigate the ethical dimensions of new technologies or advancing discoveries that improve human and environmental health, L&S continues to demonstrate the power of a comprehensive education grounded in curiosity, rigor, and a commitment to the public good.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership in this work. Your support sustains the opportunities we create for students and the discoveries that benefit communities across Wisconsin and around the world. I wish you a joyful spring and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead.

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

February 11, 2026

Leadership Transition (Message to L&S Faculty, Staff and Students)

Dear L&S community,

You have likely seen messages from Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin about my appointment to serve as Interim Chancellor beginning later this spring. I am both humbled and honored to be asked to serve in this leadership role at such a consequential time in UW–Madison’s history.

As I temporarily step away from my leadership role in the College later this spring, I know I can count on all of you to continue to do your part in helping L&S continue to excel across all of our mission areas. I am deeply grateful to all of you for making the College of Letters & Science remarkable.

Between now and May 17 when I assume the role of Interim Chancellor, I will remain deeply engaged in all facets of College operations. L&S will move forward on developing a robust budget request for the College that will enable us to continue to modernize our degree requirements, maintain an innovative research enterprise and continue to be a destination for world-class faculty, students and staff. And, of course, I wouldn’t miss the grand opening festivities of Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, our hub for the humanities and qualitative social sciences, in September.

As Chancellor Mnookin indicated, she and our new Provost will name an interim leader for L&S later this spring.

Thank you and On, Wisconsin!

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

December 11, 2025

Dean Winter Update

Dear alumni & friends,

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible work happening across the College of Letters & Science. From celebrating the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Southern African Large Telescope in South Africa, to joining Chancellor Mnookin at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education in D.C., reading incredible books written by L&S authors, visiting laboratories at the forefront of developing quantum technologies, and seeing students thrive in the new Morgridge Hall, I am reminded that the work we do in the College is profound and transformative. While we face significant challenges, we remain vigilant and committed to the important work of teaching, research and the Wisconsin Idea that makes L&S so vital.

In October, the MacArthur Foundation announced Ángel F. Adames Corraliza, the Ned P. Smith Distinguished Chair of Climatology in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, as a 2025 MacArthur Fellow. The award, colloquially known as a MacArthur genius grant, recognizes Professor Adames Corraliza’s groundbreaking research on the tropical weather systems that shape our global climate. Adames Corraliza is the third MacArthur Fellow in six years for the College of Letters & Science — a remarkable achievement for our scholarly community. An honor of this magnitude is, of course, a celebration of an individual’s brilliance and dedication. But it is also a powerful testament to the vibrant intellectual community that our faculty, staff, students and alumni foster. Awards like these affirm that there is something truly special about L&S and the spirit of curiosity and collaboration that our community makes possible.

This month, we also recognized the newest members of our alumni community at our winter commencement celebration. As I spoke with our graduates, I was struck by how personal the experience of a Letters & Science education is for them. L&S is big – we are home to more than 19,000 students – and one of my goals as dean is to make this large place feel small. That means ensuring students have access to the resources, opportunities and community they need to thrive.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with one of our Dean’s Ambassadors and Honors students, Madison, from Waunakee, Wisconsin. Madison is majoring in economics and pursuing a certificate in global health, and she shared how L&S has helped her make her education her own. Madison told me that, “When applying to college, the thought of choosing just one path to follow for my career seemed confining to me. I landed on economics because of its interdisciplinary approach, and my certificate in global health connects that work to real-world issues such as disparities and resource allocation. I value my L&S education because it provides me with a breadth of academic experiences and prepares me to be a well-rounded student and professional.”

Madison’s story captures something important about the L&S experience. Our students don’t just follow a path, they create their own. L&S fosters a climate in which students can individualize their academic journey and put together remarkable combinations of majors and certificates that reflect not only their academic strengths, but also their passions, their curiosity and their desire to make an impact in the ever-changing world around us. They pursue advanced coursework that challenges them to think critically and pushes them beyond their comfort zones. They join leadership groups like the Dean’s Ambassadors to expand their skills and serve their community. In doing so, they discover both who they are and who they want to become. As we say at SuccessWorks, our graduates are Madison Made, World Ready.

This is what makes me so proud to serve as Dean of L&S. Our students are not only preparing themselves for the future — they are preparing to lead. And they are able to do so because of a community of alumni, parents and friends like you, who believe in our mission and support the work of helping every student make their L&S journey truly their own.

With best wishes for the season,

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

September 18, 2025

Dean Fall Update

Dear alumni & friends,

The fall semester is officially underway, and we are excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to the College of Letters & Science. The start of the fall semester always brings tremendous energy to campus and a renewed sense of purpose to our mission. This year I am especially mindful of the importance of early research and discovery in shaping a student’s experience. In August, I had the pleasure of attending the LASER symposium — a celebration of the undergraduate scholars who spent their summer immersed in research through our Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program. It’s one of the true highlights of my year.

LASER is an exceptional opportunity designed for students in their first year at UW–Madison. Once accepted into the program, students enroll in a spring course on research design and methodology. That course prepares them for an intensive summer experience, where they join collaborative research teams led by L&S faculty, staff or graduate students. This year, 32 undergraduates completed the LASER program, spending eight weeks working in labs and research centers across campus, from physics and psychology to biology and the medical sciences. Since its launch in 2021, LASER has grown to include field trips to local companies, where students see science in action and meet peer mentors from previous cohorts to further promote student success.

And most importantly, we know this program works: Of the 48 students who completed LASER prior to summer 2025, 47 enrolled in STEM fields. We also have two cohorts who have now graduated from UW–Madison, with 80 percent of those students either working in STEM fields or pursuing advanced degrees in STEM or medical fields.

What struck me most at the symposium, beyond the depth of intellectual engagement, was the spirit of community the students had formed. I spoke with one of this year’s scholars, Nevaeh from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who shared how meaningful her experience has been, not just academically, but personally. Nevaeh spoke about the wide range of research happening within the cohort. “There are just so many different types of research that are happening,” she said. “Everyone can find something they love or are passionate about. It really gives us a chance to grow as researchers and young students.”

Programs like LASER show us what’s possible when we invest in early research opportunities and build inclusive pathways for students to thrive. They also remind us that world-class research doesn’t begin in graduate school; it begins here in L&S, when a first-year student walks into a lab for the first time and asks, “What if?” LASER is also a powerful reminder that an investment in research, whether from the federal government, industry or philanthropy, is an investment in people — our faculty, staff, and students who are doing the awesome work of discovery and innovation.

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our faculty and staff mentors, and, most of all, the brilliance and curiosity of our students. Your support helps us foster meaningful learning experiences that shape lives and strengthen our academic community.

As we look ahead to a new year of discovery, thank you for being part of the College of Letters & Science — a place where stories begin, ideas flourish and futures take root.

On, Wisconsin!

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

May 19, 2025

Dean Summer Update

Dear alumni & friends,

As another academic year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to congratulate the Class of 2025. This remarkable group of students has shown resilience, curiosity and a deep commitment to learning. As they celebrate the culmination of their UW–Madison careers at Camp Randall, they step into a world that needs their skills and their leadership more than ever. I have no doubt they will make an impact in their communities and beyond, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the years ahead.

Their journeys reflect the heart of our mission in the College of Letters & Science: to serve the public good through education, research and outreach. The research we conduct is meant to inspire, to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in our communities and to contribute meaningful solutions — locally and globally. This belief shapes everything we do, and it is why we continue to invest in the people and ideas that drive discovery forward.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the challenges that the College of Letters & Science faces. Federal funding for higher education and research remains uncertain, and as the landscape shifts, we must continue to advocate for the financial support that makes so much of our work possible. As the liberal arts college of a major research university, L&S is uniquely positioned to foster the kind of interdisciplinary research that leads to transformative discoveries. The work that happens here is possible because we embrace a broad, integrative approach to knowledge — one that values connections between the sciences and humanities. Ensuring that this approach thrives requires sustained investment in research and education.

One of the ways we highlight the impact of our research is through our partnership with the Wisconsin State Journal in producing Fueling Discovery, an annual special insert that showcases groundbreaking work from our faculty, staff and students. This year’s edition offers a glimpse into the breadth and depth of research happening across L&S every day.

Philosopher Annette Zimmermann explores the ethics of integrating AI into our daily lives, raising critical questions about fairness, accountability and trust in emerging technologies. Grammy-nominated folklorist Jim Leary makes the case for why Midwestern folklore matters — not just as cultural history but as a living, evolving record of our shared identities. And undergraduate researcher Alexandra Ugalde is tackling one of the most pressing health challenges of our time: Alzheimer’s disease. Her work demonstrates the power of research that is both locally rooted and globally relevant.

These stories — and so many more — underscore the vital role that research funding plays in advancing knowledge and discovery. Grants and research support enable faculty and staff to pursue transformative work, provide students with unparalleled hands-on experiences and ensure that we remain at the forefront of solving society’s most pressing challenges. The Wisconsin Idea — the notion that our work should benefit people across the state and far beyond — comes to life through the researchers whose work is supported by public investment.

I encourage you to explore Fueling Discovery online and see firsthand the incredible work happening within L&S. As we move forward, I hope you will join me in championing the liberal arts, advocating for robust research funding and supporting the students and scholars who make this work possible.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Letters & Science. I wish you a wonderful summer, and to our newest alumni — congratulations once again! We can’t wait to see where your journeys take you.

On, Wisconsin!

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

February 24, 2025

A Special Update on Federal Research Funding

Dear alumni & friends,

We are five weeks into the spring semester, and campus is alive with energy. I enjoyed that vibrancy at our annual L&S Night at the Kohl Center at the end of January, where nearly 500 L&S students packed the stands beside me, cheering on the women’s basketball team to a thrilling victory over Michigan. The excitement in the arena was electric, but what stood out most was the sense of community — our students aren’t just working hard in the classroom, they’re showing up for each other, celebrating together and embracing what it truly means to be a Badger.

At the same time, we are five weeks into a new federal administration. You’ve likely heard about the recent federal directives impacting funding from the National Institutes of Health, which Chancellor Mnookin addressed recently. I want to take a moment to reflect on this issue and how it strikes at the heart of our mission in L&S.

For more than 75 years, federal funding has allowed the U.S. to maintain its position as a global leader in scientific research and human discovery. Federal investment — whether from the NIH, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or other government agencies — has supported nearly every major scientific breakthrough we have made as a nation. Public funding has not only allowed UW–Madison to be a leader in solving the world’s biggest problems, it has also provided the support to launch tens of thousands of careers dedicated to research, including my own which began more than 30 years ago at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico.

Federal support of research, especially curiosity-driven research, is based on a simple but powerful premise: The road to discovery is long and, while sometimes indirect and unpredictable, leads not just to a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us, but to ultimately improving lives and driving economic development.

We see this right here at UW–Madison. For instance, in our Department of Chemistry, researchers are working to unlock new possibilities in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease — a debilitating illness that impacts millions of Americans and is projected to cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion by 2050. With support from the NIH, a research team recently developed a new approach that could lead to more effective treatments. It’s the kind of discovery that might not make headlines today but could, years from now, change lives. And this is just one of hundreds of examples of groundbreaking research in L&S that is made possible by federal support.

This is the nature of research. The impact is not always immediate, and the path is rarely straight. But without steady investment in curiosity-driven exploration, we risk cutting off the flow of ideas that will shape the future. Federal research funding doesn’t just fuel innovation — it supports the people behind the breakthroughs. It provides salaries for postdoctoral researchers, stipends for graduate students, and the resources needed to sustain research at every level. These dollars also have a ripple effect, supporting businesses in Wisconsin and beyond that supply the materials and equipment required to push discovery forward.

Right now, my colleagues and I are closely watching the uncertain landscape of federal research funding and considering what it means for our university, our researchers, our students and, most importantly, all citizens for generations to come. We remain committed to fueling the road to discovery, and we hope you’ll join us in advocating for this critical federal investment because as history has shown time and again, when we invest in knowledge as an institution, as a community and as a nation, essential progress follows.

On, Wisconsin!

Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison

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