Jerome Davis will end his tenure as Secretary of the University at the end of 2023, but will remain a part of the University’s administration in an advisory role until June 2024.

After over two decades at Columbia University, Jerome Davis will step down from his role as Secretary at the end of the Fall 2023 semester, according to an announcement from Columbia President Minouche Shafik on Monday afternoon. Davis, who President Shafik says “has served as a trusted advisor” to both her and her predecessor, former President Lee Bollinger, plans to remain part of the University’s administration in an advisory role until June 2024. The full text of President Shafik’s announcement can be found below. 

Prior to joining Columbia in 2002, Davis owned and operated a technology business aiming to develop and market environmentally benign technologies. His background also includes positions as a Trustee of Princeton University, involvement on the board of the New York State Civil Liberties, and contribution to the Advisory Committee to President Clinton’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection. He also held various executive positions in the private sector. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1971 and attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He obtained his J.D. from Yale Law School.

As a Special Assistant in the President’s Office from 2002 to 2007, Davis conducted major initiatives such as the Task Forces on the University and Globalization and Undergraduate Education. He also supervised significant projects including the establishment of the World Leaders Forum. Additionally, he oversaw search committees for various senior University positions. 

Over the past 16 years, Davis has played a key role in university leadership as the liaison between the senior administration and the Board of Trustees. In this position, he has prepared agendas for the Board’s meetings, led special projects for the president and Trustees, and maintained the University Statutes. In addition, he directed the designation of honorary degree recipients and awardees of the University Medal for Excellence. 

President Shafik has yet to announce details about the search for a new Secretary.

Email from Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to students on Monday, December 4th, at 4:30 pm:

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community:

I write to share that Jerome Davis, Secretary of the University, has informed me of his plans to retire at the end of this academic year. Since 2007, Jerome has played a leading role in University governance, serving as the central liaison between the administration and the Board of Trustees. I know I speak for all of the Trustees when I say that Jerome will be remembered for the skill, generosity, and grace he brought to every dimension of his work. Jerome will step down as Secretary on December 31, 2023 and continue in an advisory role until June 30, 2024.

As Secretary of the University, Jerome managed key institutional priorities on behalf of the Trustees, addressing the most consequential and urgent issues facing Columbia. He maintained the University Statutes, ensuring transparent and effective governance across the institution. Jerome has overseen the process for selecting honorary degree recipients and the winners of the University Medal for Excellence, a time honored and beloved part of our yearly commencement celebrations. For me and especially my predecessor, Lee Bollinger, he has served as a trusted advisor.

Jerome joined Columbia in 2002 as a Special Assistant in the President’s Office. In that role, he managed key strategic initiatives including the Task Forces on the University and Globalization, the Future of Journalism Education, and Undergraduate Education. He was instrumental in managing the search committees for a number of senior University positions and oversaw projects including the launching of the World Leaders Forum and the first Global Colloquium of University Presidents.

Prior to joining Columbia, Jerome owned and operated a technology business focused on the development and commercialization of environmentally benign technologies, and held executive positions in the private sector, including as President of a subsidiary of Cummins Engine Co. He served as a Trustee of Princeton University, on the board of the New York State Civil Liberties Union, and on the Advisory Committee to President Clinton’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. Jerome is also a graduate of Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal.

Those who have had the privilege to work with Jerome know the depth of his intellect and the joys of his quick wit. Please join me in thanking Jerome for more than two decades of service to this University. We have all benefitted from his dedication to the University and tireless efforts towards securing its future.

Sincerely,

Minouche Shafik

President, Columbia University in the City of New York

Image via Bwog Archives