Katrina Armstrong resigned as interim president of Columbia University, choosing to return to her role as chief executive officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
In a statement published on Columbia’s website on Friday, Armstrong said she was proud to have led the university during an “important and challenging time” but that her “ heart is with science, and my passion is with healing. That is where I can best serve this University and our community moving forward.”
Who is Katrina Armstrong?
Armstrong, is an internationally recognised expert in medical decision-making, cancer prevention, and healthcare quality, and has been a key figure in Columbia’s medical and academic leadership. She holds multiple senior positions at the university, including executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences and Harold and Margaret Hatch Professor.
She is also the chief executive officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, which includes the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the School of Nursing, the College of Dental Medicine, and the Mailman School of Public Health. Armstrong, who took on the interim presidency in August 2024, stepped in after the resignation of Minouche Shafik amid controversy over the university’s handling of campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Her resignation comes just days after Columbia agreed to a series of policy changes demanded by the Trump administration in exchange for the potential reinstatement of $400 million in federal funding.
Meanwhile, US education secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged the university’s efforts but has yet to confirm whether federal funding will be restored.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has also escalated its crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on campuses, with immigration authorities moving to deport several Columbia students involved in demonstrations. Two of those students, Mahmoud Khalil and Yunseo Chung, both lawful US residents, are now fighting deportation in court.
With Armstrong’s departure, Columbia’s board of trustees has appointed journalist and former ABC News correspondent Claire Shipman as acting president. In a statement, Shipman acknowledged the “serious challenges” ahead and pledged to work with faculty to uphold academic freedom while implementing necessary reforms.
