Dear Colleagues,
I write to share the exciting news that Julie Kornfeld, Vice Provost for Academic Programs, will become the next President of Kenyon College on October 1, 2023. While we are delighted that Julie will bring her talents to this important role, we are sad to see the departure of a leader who is so committed to the success of our students and the excellence of our academic programs.
Julie, who is also Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, joined the Office of the Provost in 2020. As Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Julie has distinguished herself in overseeing aspects of the university’s academic programs across our many schools as well as a number of educational partnerships, and in managing accreditation processes. Among her many contributions, Julie has offered crucial support and guidance as the university launched new academic programs and has helped lead planning for Columbia’s next re-accreditation, positioning us well for this multi-year undertaking. Julie has also been a key member of leadership teams addressing university-wide challenges, including the COVID-induced transition to remote instruction, which came about just months into her tenure as Vice Provost. Julie has contributed as well to important initiatives across the institution, from academic reviews of schools to generating Columbia’s first undergraduate Common Data Sets, which offer comprehensive information for prospective students considering options for their undergraduate education and experience.
Julie joined the Columbia faculty in 2016 after serving as Assistant Dean of Public Health at the University of Miami School of Medicine. At Columbia, in addition to her faculty role, she served as Vice Dean for Education at the Mailman School of Public Health before joining the Office of the Provost. As Vice Dean, Julie was responsible for directing the school’s doctoral and master's degree programs and for providing strategic leadership for the school’s educational operations including enrollment management, diversity and inclusion, career services, student services, and field practice. She expanded access to public health careers, including by securing approval for Columbia’s first formal undergraduate program in public health and establishing Mailman’s first 4+1 BA/MPH education programs. Julie’s commitment to the school’s students has been sustained through her time at Columbia; she continued to teach in the MPH program core curriculum while serving as a vice provost.
While we are excited to see her go on to head such a distinguished institution, we will miss having Julie as a colleague whose partnerships with leaders of schools, departments, and centers have been a source of strength across the university. She will stay on through early September, and I am working closely with incoming Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell on the vice provostial transition.
Please join me in congratulating Julie and thanking her for service to Columbia.
Sincerely,
Mary C. Boyce
Provost
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
