FILE: (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) From Alexandria to global academia Leadership across institutions Columbia University and the test of leadership Returning to public service Why her appointment matters Minouche Shafik’s tenure as president of Columbia University was brief but high-profile, placing her at the intersection of academia, politics, and public scrutiny. Appointed in July 2023, Shafik’s leadership faced immediate tests as campus protests erupted over the Israel–Hamas conflict, compelling her to make difficult decisions on free speech, safety, and institutional responsibility. Her resignation in August 2024 closed a tumultuous chapter, but it also highlighted her capacity to navigate complex...