Geraldine Downey

The University’s new vice provost for diversity initiatives.

	
From: 	  officeofthepresident@columbia.edu
	Subject: 	Geraldine Downey Named Next Vice Provost for Diversity Initiatives
	Date: 	July 16, 2007 11:37:55 AM EDT

Dear fellow member of the Columbia community:

Provost Brinkley and I are very pleased to announce our appointment
of Geraldine Downey as the University’s new vice provost for
diversity initiatives. Geraldine is a respected colleague, an
innovative teacher, an award-winning psychologist, and a treasured
member of the Columbia community since 1991.

Having trained at University College-Dublin, Cornell, and Michigan,
she is a leading developmental psychologist recognized for her
path-breaking research on identity formation and for her vigorous
commitment to mentoring students. As professor and chair of the
Department of Psychology, Geraldine has had extensive experience in
faculty recruitment and development. She also serves as the director
of Columbia’s Social Relations Laboratory.

In her role as vice provost, Geraldine will be giving special
attention to the question of diversity in the sciences--an issue of
national concern and one in which we believe Columbia can become a
national leader. She will, of course, also continue current efforts
to advance diversity generally in the professional schools and the
Arts and Sciences.

Please join us in welcoming Geraldine to this important position of
leadership and in affirming our shared commitment to strengthening
diversity as a critical component of the Columbia community.

Sincerely,

Lee C. Bollinger