Brown University President Christina Paxson plans to step down at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, she announced Monday. Her contract extension was originally slated to end in June 2028.
Paxson has led Brown University since 2012, and her decision to depart comes after a tumultuous period, including the coronavirus pandemic and federal funding freezes.
Brian Moynihan, chancellor of the board, said that the university will involve the community in the search for Paxson’s replacement. The university is also preparing to begin a strategic planning process for the future.
According to Moynihan, Paxson believes it is the right time for a new leader to step in and lead the multi-year effort. The new president will be the university’s 20th president.
The average tenure of college presidents has shrunk to 5.9 years, according to a 2023 report. In contrast, Paxson will have served 15 years at the helm of Brown University when she steps down.
Paxson called her 15-year tenure “a significant tenure for any president” in her Monday message. Her approval rating has varied over the years, hitting its highest recorded level in fall 2017, when 62% of surveyed undergraduates said they either approved or strongly approved of her.
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Her rating sank deeply, to 16%, by spring 2024, amid protests over the Israel-Hamas war and the university’s response to the issue. The next year, the Trump administration reportedly planned to suspend over $500 million of Brown University’s federal research funding.
Paxson agreed to extend her contract past the previous end date of June 2026 to help the university deal with the funding freeze. Brown University ultimately struck a deal to restore its federal research funding access.
Her most recent approval rating, in spring 2026, jumped back up to nearly 38%, according to the Brown Daily Herald. Paxson said that Brown University is receiving major grants for pioneering research that will lead to tremendous innovation.
The job of college president has grown more complex in recent years, with leaders having to deal with a politically fraught environment. Whoever takes over Brown University may have to deal with some of the same political hurdles as Paxson.
Brown University is facing significant challenges.
The university needs a leader who can help it thrive in a rapidly changing environment. This leader must be able to make tough decisions and build strong relationships with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, and the community.
