Words cannot describe how excited I am to serve as the 18th president of the University of Minnesota.

I spent summers paddling the Boundary Waters with my daughters and have many fond memories from the Minnesota State Fair. My family has deep roots in Minnesota, and over the years, I have grown a profound appreciation for its vast beauty and its kind-hearted people.

My admiration for this great state and for this historic University is what propelled me to pursue the presidency here. For 173 years, the U of M has distinguished itself as a national leader in research, education, clinical care, and community outreach statewide. As president, I am committed to advancing our powerful mission so that we can continue to transform lives and communities across Minnesota and beyond.

This is an incredibly exciting time for the U of M. We have an opportunity to work together and shape a strong new vision for our five-campus system—one that prioritizes an affordable, world-class education for students and solidifies our unwavering commitment to the health, well-being, and safety of all Minnesotans.

MPact 2025, our systemwide strategic plan, has created a solid foundation for us, and I would like to acknowledge President Emeritus Joan Gabel, former Interim President Jeff Ettinger, and the Board of Regents for their leadership and commitment to its tremendous success.

And so, when it comes to solving some of society’s greatest challenges— enhancing water quality in our lakes, rivers, and streams; discovering cures and treatments for life-threatening diseases; and strengthening our health care workforce to effectively treat Minnesotans—our distinctly vibrant campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities will answer the call. This perpetual drive to discover is truly inspiring, and it is what separates the U of M from our peers.

As we look toward the future, I pledge to lead by listening. I am eager to connect with diverse groups from across U of M and beyond so that together, we can identify new ways to foster a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

With more than 600,000 graduates living in countries around the world, I am especially excited to connect with members of the U of M alumni community. I understand how much this University means to you, and you will play a key role in our success moving forward.

From the moment you stepped foot on campus, you forged lifelong relationships with roommates, classmates, and teammates. You discovered your passion in classrooms, studios, and laboratories, and those experiences helped shape your future career path. And today, you exemplify the power and promise of a U of M degree in the workplace and in the community.

As president, please know that I will do everything in my power to build upon the University’s extraordinary momentum so that every U of M graduate can proudly champion their alma mater.

I look forward to engaging in thoughtful conversations with you and your fellow alums so that together, we can elevate the University of Minnesota to even greater heights.

Rebecca Cunningham, M.D.
President, The University of Minnesota

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