Columbia University announced Friday evening that Interim President Katrina Armstrong is stepping down from her position, marking another leadership change at the prestigious institution amid ongoing challenges.
Armstrong, who had served as interim president since August, will return to her previous role leading Columbia's Irving Medical Center. The announcement comes just one week after the university agreed to implement policy changes demanded by the Trump administration to restore approximately $400 million in federal funding.
Claire Shipman, co-chair of Columbia's Board of Trustees, has been appointed as acting president effective immediately. Shipman, a veteran journalist and Columbia alumna, brings extensive experience to the role, having served on the board since 2013.
"Dr. Armstrong accepted the role of interim president at a time of great uncertainty for the university and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our community," said David J. Greenwald, Chair of the Board of Trustees, in a statement.
The leadership transition follows a turbulent period at Columbia, which faced scrutiny over its handling of campus protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict and allegations of antisemitism. Last week, the university agreed to several policy changes, including implementing a mask ban for protests and giving campus officers expanded authority.
Shipman acknowledged the challenges ahead in her statement: "I assume this role with a clear understanding of the serious challenges before us and a steadfast commitment to act with urgency, integrity, and work with our faculty to advance our mission."
The Trump administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism indicated that Armstrong's departure could help advance negotiations between the government and the university. The task force referenced a "concerning revelation" related to comments made by Armstrong at a recent faculty meeting regarding the university's agreement with the government.
Shipman will serve as acting president while the Board of Trustees continues its search for a permanent leader.