How a veteran journalist navigated a turbulent fifteen-month presidency at Columbia University
In short: Claire Shipman, a former ABC News correspondent, served as acting president of Columbia University from March 2025 to June 2026. Her tenure was defined by intense campus protests, a major federal settlement, and significant internal restructuring, marking a volatile chapter in the institution's history during a period of national scrutiny.
Claire Shipman’s transition from a career in television journalism to university leadership began with her role on the Columbia University board of trustees, which she joined in 2013 and co-chaired starting in 2023. In March 2025, she assumed the role of acting president amid escalating turmoil surrounding protests in solidarity with Palestine. Her leadership period, which lasted until June 2026, coincided with significant pressure from the Trump administration, which had previously cut $400 million in funding to the university citing concerns over antisemitism.
A central event during Shipman’s presidency was the July 2025 settlement with the federal government. Columbia agreed to pay $221 million to restore funding while committing to specific demands, including the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and the implementation of stricter disciplinary measures for student demonstrators. Shipman defended the agreement as being in line with the university's values, though critics characterized the deal as a capitulation that threatened institutional independence and academic freedom. Throughout this time, the campus experienced multiple police interventions, including the arrest of 78 students at Butler Library in May 2025.
Beyond external pressures, Shipman initiated a review of the University Senate, a policymaking body established after the 1968 protests. While she argued the review was necessary to improve representation, it faced criticism from observers who viewed it as an attempt to diminish the Senate's authority. By the time her tenure concluded in June 2026, Shipman had navigated a series of public confrontations, including jeers during commencement ceremonies and internal controversy over leaked communications. She was succeeded by Jennifer L. Mnookin, who became the 21st president of Columbia on July 1, 2026.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Claire Shipman
- Also: Office of the President
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