Columbia today announced the election of Jeh Johnson (LAW’82) as co-chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, effective April 24, 2025. Johnson will serve alongside David Greenwald (LAW’83), who became co-chair in 2023.
I am writing with important updates regarding the search for the next President of Columbia University.
Chair of the Board of Trustees provides further context to the announcement of Claire Shipman as Acting President of Columbia University.
Dear members of the Columbia community:
This evening, the Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Katrina A. Armstrong is returning to lead the University’s Irving Medical Center. Board of Trustees Co-Chair Claire Shipman has been appointed Acting President, effective immediately, and will serve until the Board completes its presidential search. You can read more about today’s announcement here.
Dear members of the Columbia community,
As the Trustees of Columbia University, we are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that the University has the leadership, structures, and resources to fulfill its mission and maintain its values.
Dear Members of the Columbia community:
In September, I announced the creation of a President’s Advisory Committee on Institutional Voice to provide me with a set of recommendations on the proper role of institutional voice in advancing Columbia’s academic mission and its commitment to open inquiry and free expression.
To the members of the Columbia community:
The Board of Trustees regretfully accepts Minouche Shafik’s decision to step down as president of the University. Minouche has contributed so much to the Columbia community in an extraordinarily challenging time and has been a wonderful colleague and friend. While we are disappointed to see her leave us, we understand and respect her decision.
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…
The Columbia University Board of Trustees strongly supports President Shafik as she steers the university through this extraordinarily challenging time. During the search process for this role, President Shafik told us that she would always take a thoughtful approach to resolving conflict, balancing the disparate voices that make up a vibrant campus like Columbia’s, while taking a firm stance against hatred, harassment and discrimination. That's exactly what she's doing now. We are urgently working with her to help resolve the situation on campus and rebuild the bonds of our community; we encourage…
This week marks the end of what will undoubtedly be one of the most consequential periods in the history of Columbia. Lee Bollinger has led this University to astonishing new heights and now leaves it primed for even greater excellence. The Trustees are immensely grateful for his leadership and proud of all that was accomplished during his presidency.
To everyone who gave us their time and shared input and ideas, thank you. By working together across the University and with our many stakeholders, we conducted a search not on behalf of any single group, but one that was in the overall interests of Columbia and with the very best result.
As the presidential search takes shape, the goal is to establish greater collaboration across the university and the community.