Brown University President Christina H. Paxson announced Monday that she will step down after the 2026‑2027 academic year, concluding a 15‑year tenure that began in July 2012.
Tenure Highlights
Paxson said the decision was the right choice for her, her family and the university.
She affirmed that the community achieved the strategic goals established at the start of her presidency.
Search for Successor
Chancellor Brian T. Moynihan confirmed that the Corporation will launch a national search for the next president.
He called Paxson an inspiring, visionary, purpose‑driven and steadfast leader.
Moynihan added that the board unanimously approved a term extension to June 30, 2028 in May 2025.
Paxson argued that fresh leadership was needed to launch a new strategic planning process.
Funding and Challenges
Paxson had accepted the extension to help the university navigate a federal funding freeze that began in 2025.
The Trump administration threatened to withhold $510 million in contracts and grants over alleged anti‑Semitism concerns.
The university reached a deal with the administration in July, restoring the funds while preserving its values.
Paxson said she was proud of the agreement that reinstated funding.
Achievements
During her tenure, Brown created the School of Public Health, the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship and the Watson School of International and Public Affairs.
The university raised funds for more than 165 endowed professorships and eliminated undergraduate loan debt.
Need‑blind admissions were extended to international students, and tuition was waived for families earning $125,000 or less.
Campus investments topped $2 billion, adding new research facilities, performing arts spaces and student housing.
Endowment value reached $8 billion by fiscal year 2025, supporting a $368.8 million budget for the academic mission.
Fundraising totals exceeded $4.4 billion from over 76,800 donors.
Final Remarks
Paxson wrote that her time as president has been the most rewarding job of her career.
She called it the opportunity of a lifetime.
