A Change in Leadership at Columbia University

Katrina Armstrong has stepped down from her post as interim president of Columbia University. She will be returning to her position as the chief executive officer of the 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.

The resignation comes on the heels of the university agreeing to a list of demands from the Trump administration to restore $400 million in research funding to the university. The funds were being withheld by the federal government due to the university’s “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”  The campus has been the site of numerous protests during the controversy.

In a statement, Dr. Armstrong wrote: “I appreciate having had the opportunity to play a small part in navigating this vast enterprise through some of the most difficult moments in its history. But my heart is with science, and my passion is with healing. That is where I can best serve this university and our community moving forward.”

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.

The university’s board of trustees has appointed Claire Shipman as acting president. She had been serving as co-chair of the board of trustees.

“I assume this role with a clear understanding of the serious challenges before us and a steadfast commitment to act with urgency, integrity, and to work with our faculty to advance our mission, implement needed reforms, protect our students, and uphold academic freedom and open inquiry. Columbia’s new permanent president, when that individual is selected, will conduct an appropriate review of the university’s leadership team and structure to ensure we are best positioned for the future.”

Shipman has been a member of the board of trustees since 2013. A journalist and author, Shipman holds a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.