Provost Rachel Croson announced she will not return to the University of Minnesota for summer 2025 in a systemwide email Monday. 

This decision approaches Croson’s five-year anniversary as Executive Vice President and Provost, according to the email. 

“I am so grateful for the collaboration, camaraderie, and support you all have shared with me, but especially your continued commitment to this amazing University,” Croson said in her email. “In our agreements and disagreements, consultations and conflicts, brainstorming and decision-making, I know that each of you was motivated by what you feel would be the best for this institution, as was I.” 

Croson joined the University in March 2020 as chief academic officer of all five campuses. 

In her role, Croson oversaw promotion and tenure, academic policies and practices, and academic programs. She collaborated on the University’s academic planning and budget and hired 13 academic deans and six vice provosts during her tenure.

Croson worked closely on MPact 2025, the University’s systemwide strategic plan, and the President’s Initiative for Student Mental Health. 

Croson chaired on the Big 10 Academic Alliance Board of Directors. 

On June 26, the College of Liberal Arts Assembly voted “no-confidence” in Croson for her involvement in the retraction of Raz Segal’s job offer as director of the Center of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. 

President Rebecca Cunningham thanked Croson for her years of service at the University in another systemwide email. 

“I am eternally grateful to Rachel for her guidance, her support and her collegiality, all of which have benefited me immensely during the early parts of my presidency,” Cunningham said in the email. “I am confident Rachel will continue to thrive as a national leader in higher education, and I look forward to whatever great opportunity comes next for her.”