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