Lisa S. Coico, resigned as president of City College of New York. The resignation came one day after a story in the New York Times questioned $150,000 in personal expenses that may have been paid by the research arm of the City University of New York System. A federal investigation is under way to determine if federal research funds were used improperly.
Dr. Coico became president of City College in 2010. She is the first alumna of the college to serve as its president. Before accepting this post, Dr. Coico served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Temple University in Philadelphia. Earlier, she was dean of the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University.
Dr. Coico is a graduate of Brooklyn College. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
James B. Milliken, chancellor of the City University of New York, issued a statement that read in part: “The City College of New York is a remarkable institution with a rich history and a very promising future. I can assure you that the Board of Trustees and I are focused on the steps necessary to ensure that CCNY continues to serve its students and the people of New York at the highest level.”
Chancellor Milliken appointed Mary Driscoll, interim provost at the college as “administrator in charge.” Dr. Driscoll is a magna cum laude graduate of Connecticut College. She holds a master’s degree in child development from Sarah Lawrence College and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Chicago.
An announcement said that the board of trustees will named an interim president at its next meeting on October 26.