Christina H. Paxson, the president of Brown University since 2012 and the longest-serving current leader among Ivy League institutions, announced on Monday that she will step down at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. In an open letter, Paxson described the decision as the right one for her and her family, noting that she had extended her tenure previously to navigate significant challenges facing the university.
During her presidency, Paxson led Brown through complex negotiations with the Trump administration, which included a high-profile dispute over withheld federal research funds. The administration had moved to block approximately $510 million in research funding, part of a wider effort targeting elite universities over concerns about antisemitism and responses to protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Brown ultimately reached a settlement last summer, agreeing to commit $50 million to workforce development programs in Rhode Island. The agreement restored the blocked funds and preserved the university’s authority over academic affairs, but it also aligned Brown with several Trump administration policies on transgender athletes and merit-based admissions.
The settlement drew criticism from some within the campus community, who viewed it as a concession to an administration seen as overstepping its authority. However, Paxson took a firm stance later in the year against a Trump administration proposal for a broader compact with colleges that would have linked research funding to ideological conformity. She expressed concerns that such a compact would threaten academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of the university. Shortly before Paxson’s announcement, the administration effectively abandoned the compact initiative and instead encouraged universities to publicly report their responses to various complaints regarding higher education.
The university’s turbulent year also included a tragic event in December, when a former Brown student carried out a shooting on campus, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries. Paxson’s leadership during the aftermath was scrutinized, particularly concerning campus security measures at the Providence, Rhode Island, institution, which has traditionally allowed relatively open access to visitors.
Brian T. Moynihan, chairman of Brown’s Corporation and chief executive of Bank of America, praised Paxson’s leadership, highlighting her balance of commitment to academic and operational excellence and a collaborative leadership style. He also indicated that the conclusion of a strategic planning cycle influenced the timing of her departure. A national search for Brown’s next president is expected to begin in the near future.