In an unprecedented scenario, leadership at six of eight of the Ivy League universities – plus other elite institutions – has been massively overhauled. University leaders find themselves under fire as the federal government continues to rock the boat. Universities have faced court challenges regarding affirmative action; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; and legacy admissions policies. They have also come under fire for their responses – or lack thereof – to recent campus unrest. In addition, the traditional roles and responsibilities of the position of University President are changing. Presidents are spending less time on campus and more time fundraising than ever before, leading some university heads to step down as they fall out of love with their position.
What does this mean for students?
Every university president comes into their role with a vision for how they will lead the institution into the future. However, with interrupted tenures, scandal, and quick resignations, it’s unclear how much of those efforts can come to fruition. We’re expecting a bit of a culture shift at these universities, but not much. It is the Ivy League, after all, and these schools are beholden to tradition, legacy, and their own reputation. We’re keeping a finger on the pulse of their admissions policies, looking for any changes in legacy, testing, and diversity policies. The good news? These leadership shifts will most likely have little effect on undergraduate academics.
Harvard University
Claudine Gay resigned in 2024 after criticism of her testimony in congress before the House Committee on Education and the Work Force. Her responses to questions regarding antisemitism on campus were largely censured. She also faced accusations of plagiarism. Her tenure was the shortest in Harvard history – a little over six months. She is replaced by former provost Alan Garber, who is serving as interim president.
Yale University
Peter Salovey announced in August 2023 that he would step down from the university presidency and resume his role as full-time faculty member at the end of the spring 2024 semester. Salovey served as Yale’s president for 11 years and increased student enrollment, the endowment, and diversity within the institution. Yale has not yet announced an interim or replacement president.
Princeton University
Christopher L. Eisgruber became the president of Princeton University in 2013. His tenure was extended for another five years by Princeton’s Board of Trustees in 2022. Princeton’s leadership remains stable – for now.
Dartmouth College
Philip J. Hanlon stepped down from the Dartmouth presidency in June 2023. He advanced Dartmouth’s research output and increased its selectivity. Sian Leah Beilock, a brain scientist, is finishing up her first year in the role. Beilock is the first woman to be elected president at Dartmouth, and served as the eighth president at Barnard College at Columbia University.
Columbia University
Minouche Shafik replaced Lee C. Bollinger in 2023 as president of Columbia University. However, in less than a year, she has faced countless calls for her resignation. Like Claudine Gay, Shafik testified before congress’s House Committee on Education and the Work Force and was deeply criticized for her responses to questions regarding antisemitism on campus. As of May 2024, she maintains a tentative hold on her position, but it is by no means secure.
Brown University
Christina H. Paxson has served as Brown’s president since 2012. Paxson has dedicated her tenure to several initiatives, including reducing financial barriers to higher education. The Brown Promise financial aid initiative has eliminated loans from the financial aid packages awarded by the University. She is also devoted to fostering public-private relationships with government, business, and industry.
University of Pennsylvania
In December 2023, university president Liz Magill stepped down after calls for her resignation. Magill was also condemned for her testimony in congress before the House Committee on Education and the Work Force earlier that same month. Larry Jameson serves as interim president.
Cornell University
Martha E. Pollock announced in earlier this month that she would resign from her role as Cornell’s president. Pollock stated that after seven years as president and several decades in academia, she is ready for a new chapter in life. She will be replaced by interim president Michael I. Kotlikoff, the university’s provost and former Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Bonus: MIT
Sally Kornbluth became MIT’s president in early 2023. She replaced Rafael Reif, who stepped down at the end of 2022 to take a sabbatical. He has since returned to a faculty position in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Kornbluth’s first year at MIT has seen a dedication to appreciating tenured faculty, a commitment to freedom of expression, and an increased focus on issues such as AI ethics and the climate crisis.
The Circle 