COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University community was taken by surprise Monday when university president Kristina Johnson announced suddenly that she will step down at the close of the current academic year in May, after approximately two and a half years on the job.
Late Monday afternoon, the Columbus Dispatch reported that the board of trustees asked Johnson to resign after an investigation was conducted by an outside firm.
“I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together. It’s been a privilege to serve this incredible university, and I have been honored to work as part of this brilliant, dedicated and passionate community,” Johnson said in a state released by the university.
“I have made the difficult decision to step down as president following commencement at the end of the academic year. This will allow a search for the next president to proceed and adequate time for me to assist with a seamless transition.” – Kristina Johnson, PhD.
The 65-year-old Johnson has led OSU as it navigated challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and litigation over a decades-old sex abuse scandal, while also celebrating achievements including greater spending on research, billions of dollars in construction projects and increased financial support from donors.
The Board of Trustees will begin its search for Johnson’s successor and the universitywill share more information about the search and how the community can participate in early 2023.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Johnson for her dedication to the university, especially her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. We congratulate her on her many achievements and wish her our very best in her future professional endeavors.” -Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita, chair, OSU Board of Trustees
Before joining Ohio State as the school’s 16th president in August 2020, Johnson had served as dean of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and chancellor of the State University of New York.