Columbia University president Minouche Shafik resigns after year of chaos over Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
Minouche Shafik, the embattled president of Columbia University, is resigning, the prominent economist announced in an email to the university community on Wednesday.
The decision follows a year of on-campus chaos over protests related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
“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,” Shafik wrote. “I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.”
“It has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community,” she added. “This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community.”
Shafik, an economist who served high-level positions at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Bank of England, took the position in July of 2023.
The year-long tenure was defined by her response to protests over Israel-Hamas war, which included multiple New York Police Department operations on campus and students occupying a central quad and a building at the Ivy League university.
Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as interim president.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
