A Change in Leadership at Columbia University

Following months of on-campus student protests regarding the war in Gaza, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has announced her immediate resignation effective August 14.

In a letter to the campus community, Dr Shafik wrote, “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. 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.”

Dr. Shafik was appointed president of Columbia University in July 2023. Prior to her presidency, she served as director of the London School of Economics. She has previously held academic appointments as a professor of economics at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. Outside of higher education, she has led several leadership roles with the World Bank, Britain’s Department for International Development, the International Monetary Fund, and the Bank of England.

A native of Alexandria, Egypt, Dr. Shafik holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and politics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oxford.

Katrina Armstong has been selected to serve as Columbia’s interim president effective immediately.

“I am deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our beloved institution,” wrote Dr. Armstrong upon her new appointment. “This role comes at a pivotal moment for Columbia, and I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to contribute to our collective journey. With profound respect for Columbia’s storied history and an unwavering commitment to its future, I look forward to working with you to achieve our shared goals.”

For the past two years, Dr. Armstrong has served as an academic and administrative leader at the university. Her current positions include executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences, dean of the faculties of health sciences, chief executive officer of the Irving Medical Center, and the Harold and Margaret Hatch Professor. Earlier in her career, Dr. Armstrong spent 17 years on the faculty of the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by nine years as head of the department of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital which is affiliated with Harvard University.

Dr. Armstrong received her bachelor’s degree in architecture at Yale University, where she also completed pre-med studies. She earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, followed by a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania.