In a landmark decision made at a special meeting Monday, February 26th, 2024, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents chose Dr. Rebecca Cunningham to assume the esteemed position of the 18th President of the University of Minnesota System. This selection comes after an exhaustive and transparent process, involving the active participation of thousands of students, faculty, and staff across all five U of M campuses through a series of listening sessions and public forums held in recent weeks.

Subsequently, the Board unveiled three public finalists, including Dr. James Holloway, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of New Mexico, and Dr. Laura Bloomberg, president of Cleveland State University. These finalists embarked on an intensive series of engagements, participating in a total of 15 public forums and 15 open houses across the state within a 10-day timeframe, covering over 2,700 miles to visit each U of M campus. Throughout the search process, the Board actively solicited feedback through both in-person events and digital platforms, ensuring that all perspectives were thoroughly considered during the final decision-making stages.

The Board’s decision to appoint Dr. Cunningham marks the culmination of an extensive nationwide search process characterized by broad public and campus involvement. Commencing with a series of listening sessions last autumn convened by the 24-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee, the process aimed to delineate the position’s requirements and gather insights into the ideal candidate’s attributes and experiences. From a pool of 46 highly qualified applicants, the advisory committee meticulously narrowed the selection to 12 finalists following a rigorous interview phase. Ultimately, four top candidates were unanimously recommended to the full Board for deliberation.

Cunningham earned her undergraduate degree from Fairfield University and obtained her medical doctorate from Jefferson Medical College. She underwent her residency training in emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Currently serving as the vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan, Dr. Cunningham has been instrumental in nurturing excellence and advancing the institution’s public mission in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors across its three campuses. Under her stewardship, U-M has witnessed a remarkable expansion in its research volume, reaching a record $1.86 billion annually. Dr. Cunningham spearheaded the design and execution of the inaugural comprehensive review of the university’s research, scholarship, and creative activities enterprise. A distinguished member of the U-M Schools of Public Health and Medicine since 1999, Dr. Cunningham previously held the position of associate vice president for research-health sciences, where she managed research faculty affairs and collaborated with peers across disciplines to invigorate the university’s research agenda. With a rich background in leadership roles, including serving as associate chair of emergency medicine and director of the Injury Prevention Center sponsored by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Cunningham has consistently secured federal research funding as a principal investigator for over 25 years. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition, including membership in the National Academy of Medicine.

With her appointment as president-designate, Dr. Cunningham now paves the way for negotiations on her contract, subject to approval by the Board of Regents this spring. Cunningham is slated to assume office as the University of Minnesota’s 18th president on July 1, 2024, taking over the role from interim President Jeff Ettinger, the former Hormel CEO. Ettinger has been in charge of the university since UM’s prior president, Joan Gabel, left last year to become the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. Cunningham’s appointment opens the door to a new era for the University of Minnesota, promising continued excellence and innovation under her leadership. With her extensive experience, academic prowess, and commitment to advancing research and scholarship, she is poised to guide the institution towards even greater heights of achievement.