NEW YORK — Columbia University’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, has resigned, the university announced Friday, as the institution faces scrutiny from the government and rights advocates over its handling of last year’s Gaza protests.
Armstrong will return to lead Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, according to a university statement that did not specify a reason for the leadership change. Claire Shipman, co-chair of the Board of Trustees, has been named acting president effective immediately, and will serve until a permanent successor is appointed, the statement said.
The Trump administration recently canceled $400 million in federal funding for Columbia, accusing the university of failing to adequately address antisemitism and ensure student safety during campus protests over Israel’s military operations in Gaza last year. The university agreed last week to implement changes demanded by the administration, a decision criticized by rights advocates who condemned the move as an attack on free speech.
In a campus-wide email, Armstrong emphasized her commitment to “advance our mission, ensure uninterrupted academic activities, and make every student, faculty, and staff member feel safe and welcome on our campus.”
Columbia was a focal point of nationwide Gaza encampment protests in the summer of 2024, where demonstrators called for an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and urged universities to divest from companies linked to Israel.
