Columbia President Steps Down From Post

Minouche Shafik has resigned as president of Columbia University, effective August 14, 2024. The University Board of Trustees announced that Katrina Armstrong, the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center [photo above] has agreed to serve as interim president.

While being president of an Ivy League school is prestigious, it has been a lightning rod for criticism over the past two years due to protests from pro-Palestinian students, outrage from wealthy alumni and hearings before Congress. Shafik is the third Ivy president to step down over the past year including Harvard and Penn. The president of Cornell has also decided to step down but said this was not due to protests.

“I have had the honor and privilege to lead this incredible institution, and I believe that—working together—we have made progress in a number of important areas. However, it has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community,” Shafik wrote in a letter to the Columbia community. “This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community. Over the summer, I have been able to reflect and have decided that my moving on at this point would best enable Columbia to traverse the challenges ahead. I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.”

Shafik thanked the Board of Trustees for their support and said that she would work with the interim president to ensure an orderly transition.

“While we are disappointed to see her leave us, we understand and respect her decision,” wrote David Greenwald and Claire Shipman, co-chairs of the Board of Trustees, in a letter to the Columbia community. “In this difficult year, Minouche has worked, inspired, and led tirelessly. Her wisdom, empathy, and deep commitment to our community have guided us through challenges that are both unique in scale and unique to this moment.”

In acknowledging Shafik’s significant accomplishments for the University, the Board of Trustees said it was “taking all necessary steps to ensure a smooth leadership transition,” and expressed gratitude that Dr. Armstrong had agreed to step in.

Dr. Armstrong is the chief executive officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, executive vice president for Health and Biomedical Sciences, and dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “During her career at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Massachusetts General hospital and now here at Columbia,” wrote the Trustees. “Katrina has distinguished herself as a physician, investigator, teacher, and leader with a unique ability to listen actively to all voices, incorporate lessons from across disciplines, advance innovative teaching that positions learners of all backgrounds for success, and bring together teams from across communities to work together toward a common purpose. Authentic and direct, she has exhibited exemplary, values-driven leadership while managing the largest and most complex division of our University.”

In response to the Board’s letter, Dr. Armstrong wrote to the community that she was excited, humbled, and “deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our beloved institution.” She acknowledged that Columbia was at a pivotal moment and said that “challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to emerge from every group and individual within a community. … Never has it been more important to train leaders capable of elevating society and addressing the complexity of modern life. Columbia University has a long history of meeting the moment, and I have faith that we will do so once again.”