Robert J. Jones Steps In as University of Washington’s 34th President
SEATTLE, Wash. — Robert J. Jones has officially taken the helm as the 34th President of the University of Washington (UW), and in just his first month, he has already laid out some ambitious goals. From expanding healthcare partnerships in Spokane to defending vital federal research dollars and addressing rising tuition costs, Jones is stepping into a role filled with both promise and challenges.
Strengthening Healthcare in Spokane
One of Jones’s first visits as president was to Spokane, where UW works closely with Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. Together, the institutions run programs aimed at training future doctors and dentists, including the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program.
“We have an obligation to be present wherever there is a need,” Jones said. “Our partnership with Gonzaga and EWU is one of the most innovative models of healthcare education in the country.”
A new dental training center, supported by state and federal funding, is also being developed in Spokane. The facility will allow UW to expand opportunities for students while addressing shortages in oral healthcare across the region.
Research Funding on the Line
The University of Washington is one of the nation’s leaders in research funding, receiving nearly $474 million a year from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Only Johns Hopkins University receives more.
But recent federal cutbacks have raised concerns about the future of that funding. Jones called it “one of the most challenging times” for the relationship between universities and the federal government. He stressed that NIH support not only fuels research but also drives innovation, economic growth, and job creation.
Tackling Tuition and Debt-Free Education
For many Washington families, the cost of college remains a major hurdle. In-state tuition at UW is about $13,000 per year, a price that discourages many qualified students from applying.
Jones pointed to UW’s Husky Promise program, which guarantees free tuition and fees for Pell Grant–eligible students, but he wants to take the idea further. “My goal is to make debt-free education a reality for more students,” he said. Currently, around 70% of UW students graduate without debt, and Jones hopes to raise that number closer to 80%.
“A college degree is not just a personal benefit—it’s a community benefit,” Jones added. “It impacts all of us.”
Preparing Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Looking ahead, Jones says another top priority is ensuring students are prepared for a rapidly changing job market. That means focusing on AI, new technologies, and career-based training, while also building stronger connections with K-12 schools and local businesses.
“As public institutions, we have an obligation to provide education where people are, when they need it,” he said.
A Veteran Leader in Higher Education
Jones brings decades of leadership experience to UW. He previously served as chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, president of SUNY Albany, and spent more than 30 years as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Now in what he calls the “final chapter” of his career, Jones says he’s ready to take on both the opportunities and the obstacles that come with leading one of the nation’s top public universities.
“This is not my first rodeo,” he said with a smile. “But it will be my last—and I’m honored to lead the University of Washington during one of the most exciting, yet most challenging, times in higher education.”
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