The former television journalist and co-chair of the university’s board of trustees takes the helm at a time of significant peril for the institution.

The Columbian University said Claire Shipman has served as a Co-Chair of the Columbia University's Board of Trustees since 2023, and has been on the Board since 2013.

Katrina Armstrong's resignation follows a series of significant policy changes at Columbia, which were enacted as part of negotiations with the Trump administration. These reforms were aimed at securing the potential reinstatement of $400 million in federal funding.