Office of the Vice Provost for the Fourth Purpose and Strategic Impact

What We Do

We aspire to build University infrastructure and partnerships to help Columbia bring rigorous knowledge and research forward to societal impact and to serve the public good.

connectdevelop icon
Build Connections

Strengthen collaboration across schools, centers and institutes on initiatives with social impact

handshake icon
Dissolve Barriers to Partnership

Dismantle barriers to cross-disciplinary and multi-sector initiatives in research and education

cogs icon
Leverage Scholarship and Discovery

Work with partners to transform innovation to community and global impact

A Guide to the Office

About the Vice Provost for the Fourth Purpose and Strategic Impact

Sam Sia
Samuel K. Sia

Samuel K. Sia, who joined the Columbia faculty in 2005, is a biotech scholar and entrepreneur. He has collaborated extensively with colleagues across engineering and in public health, medicine, and business.

Read Professor Sia's Bio

University Partners

Columbia World Projects
Columbia Technology Ventures
Columbia Global Centers
Community Advisory Council

Fourth Purpose News

President Bollinger Appoints Fourth Purpose Task Force

President Bollinger appoints two task forces to develop recommendations for how to address climate change and achieve our Fourth Purpose.

Fourth Purpose Report Released

President Bollinger shares the Fourth Purpose Task Force's report and recommendations, which include creation of a new office.  

Vice Provost Appointed

Samuel Sia, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, is appointed Vice Provost for the Fourth Purpose and Strategic Impact.