The University of Chicago’s Board of Trustees has extended the appointment of President Paul Alivisatos through June 2030.
Alivisatos, a chemist, has helmed the university since September 2021. In a statement Wednesday, the board lauded his “ambition, optimism and clear sense of direction” as the school’s 14th president.
“Year over year, he has relentlessly advanced the distinct values and traditions that distinguish this university from others,” the statement said. “His steadfast and principled leadership has benefited the University tremendously, particularly as it navigates a period marked by both significant challenges and opportunities for higher education.”
The announcement comes as U. of C. faces mounting fiscal challenges. Last month, school officials unveiled plans to slash $100 million in spending, citing a “structural set of budget difficulties.” The cuts included staff reductions, administrative restructuring and admissions pauses to some graduate degree programs.
Nationwide, colleges and universities have faced strain under the Trump administration, which has sought to exert greater control over the higher education landscape. In the fallout, Northwestern University President Michael Schill abruptly announced his resignation this month.
Those federal stressors have only deepened U. of C.’s financial troubles: University officials have cited cuts to research funding, shifting policies on international student enrollment and increased capital costs. Still, the school’s budget deficit — which topped $288 million in 2024 — has been steadily climbing for years.
Undergraduate tuition for the school is $71,325, with the total estimated cost of attendance, including on-campus housing, rising to $98,301, according to U. of C.’s website.
Alivisatos succeeded the late President Robert J. Zimmer, who had led the school for 15 years. Alivisatos also serves as a professor of chemistry, and is a 1981 U. of C. alum. In the announcement, the university touted achievements under his tenure, including the launch of new interdisciplinary programs and undergraduate majors.
On Tuesday, U.S. News & World Reports ranked U. of C. sixth in its annual best colleges list, jumping up five spots from last year.
“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence,” Alivisatos said in a statement. “This is a community where curiosity runs deep, intellectual aspirations are set high and inquiry is pursued rigorously. Every day, I bring devotion to serving this community as president.”