Columbia College Chicago appoints first female president

Columbia College Chicago has named Shantay N. Bolton as its new president. Bolton, who previously worked as chief business officer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, will start her role on July 1. She will be the first female leader of color at the school and the first female president in nearly 90 years. Her appointment comes after the resignation of Kwang-Wu Kim last year. Kim stepped down amid challenges such as declining enrollment and a six-week strike that led to layoffs of adjunct staff. The college faced a $38 million deficit, resulting in job cuts and the elimination of 18 underperforming majors. Columbia College has experienced a significant drop in student numbers, going from over 11,000 in 2010 to fewer than 7,000 in 2022. Bolton’s extensive background includes managing a $3.1 billion operation at Georgia Tech, where she led major financial projects and innovative budget approaches. John M. Holmes, president of the college's Board of Trustees, expressed confidence in Bolton’s leadership abilities. He believes she can help enhance Columbia’s reputation as a valuable institution for young creative professionals. Bolton aims to build on Columbia’s unique creative environment and strengthen ties with industry and the community. She recognizes creativity as a crucial skill sought after by employers today.