Presidential Search Update From the Search Committee Co-Chairs

July 17, 2025

Dear members of the Columbia Community:

We write with an update on the progress of the presidential search. Over the last two months, we have had candid and substantive conversations with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and other members of the University community, including the Senate Executive Committee, to provide helpful insights into the qualities and aspirations our community holds for Columbia’s next president. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated in those conversations and we look forward to more listening sessions with the community as the search progresses.

We are pleased to share three additional important updates regarding the presidential search.

  • We have added several esteemed faculty members to the search committee: Kathryn Johnston, Professor of Astronomy; Stavros Lomvardas, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Professor of Neuroscience, Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at the Zuckerman Institute, and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics; Valerie Purdie-Greenaway, Professor of Psychology and Affiliated Professor of Management at Columbia Business School; James Shapiro, Larry Miller Professor of English and Comparative Literature; Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, University Professor and Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering; and Matthew C. Waxman,  Liviu Librescu Professor of Law. Their academic distinction and combined deep knowledge of the University will enhance our search process, and we are delighted to welcome them to this important work. The full search committee is listed below.
  • Additionally, last month we launched our Presidential Search Community Survey and already have more than 8,000 responses. This short survey will provide our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors the opportunity to share their hopes, expectations, and the qualities they seek in a new leader. The survey will close tomorrow, July 18, 2025. We welcome and strongly encourage your input.
  • If you have suggestions or nominations, we invite you to email us at [email protected]. Every perspective will add to our understanding of what Columbia needs in its next leader.

We will keep you informed as the search progresses and share updates in the months ahead.

Best regards,

David J. Greenwald, Co-Chair, Board of Trustees
Jeh Johnson, Co-Chair, Board of Trustees

Andrew Barth, Trustee, Co-Chair Presidential Search Committee
Jonathan Lavine, Trustee Chair Emeritus, Co-Chair, Presidential Search Committee

Presidential Search Committee

  • Andrew Barth, Trustee, Co-Chair, Presidential Search Committee
  • Jonathan Lavine, Trustee Chair Emeritus, Co-Chair, Presidential Search Committee
  • David Greenwald, Trustee Co-Chair
  • Alisa Amarosa Wood, Trustee
  • Dean Dakolias, Trustee Vice Chair
  • Duchesne Drew, Trustee
  • Kathryn Johnston, Faculty
  • Stavros Lomvardas, Faculty
  • Victor Mendelson, Trustee Vice Chair
  • Adam Pritzker, Trustee
  • Valerie Purdie-Greenaway, Faculty
  • Julissa Reynoso, Trustee
  • James Shapiro, Faculty
  • Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Faculty
  • Shirley Wang, Trustee
  • Matthew C. Waxman, Faculty
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Presidential Search