(CAPITOL CITY NOW) — Robert Jones, the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will step down at the end of this school year. He has been in this role for nine years. The announcement was made by U of I System President Tim Killeen.
During Jones’ time as chancellor, the university’s student enrollment grew by 26%, reaching a record 59,238 students this fall. He introduced Illinois Commitment, which offers free tuition to Illinois residents with family incomes below $75,000. He also helped start the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the first engineering-based medical school in the world.
Jones worked to improve the university’s research programs and build international partnerships. He led projects like the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university developed a saliva-based test that became widely used.
Jones, who became the university’s first African American chancellor in 2016, thanked the campus community, saying, “We are at the high point in our 157-year history in terms of our educational and research impact. Next is a period of transition with our institutional strategy and collaborations. This is an appropriate time to look toward the next leader who will build on that momentum and promote the bold ideas for which Illinois is known.”
The search for Jones’ replacement will start immediately. Jones will continue to help with strategic initiatives within the U of I System.
