Dr. Shantay Bolton took on the role in July of 2025. She was formally installed in March.
Part 1: Our Chicago: Columbia College Chicago's new CEO
Her appointment is historic for the arts, media, and communications focused school. She's the first woman to run the school in 90 years and the first woman of color to ever do so.
However, the challenges she was brought in to deal with are numerous. The college is facing a $40 million deficit; enrollment has fallen to around 4,000 students and there have been several rounds of layoffs.
In January, the college laid off 23 full-time faculty members.
"I've walked into a circumstance where our finances were not as strong and so we know this is not something that's gonna change overnight," Bolton said. "We're engaging in the decision making that will help us to be more stable in the long term. Anytime there's changes, it's tough but we're committed to doing it and doing it in a way that's disciplined, focused and with surgical precision."
Part 2 - Our Chicago: Columbia College Chicago's new CEO
Beyond that, Bolton plans to address enrollment issues but promoting the school is a more forceful way.
"I am really excited about just really amplifying what already exists in the strength of who we are," Bolton said. "We are the premiere creative media arts institution in the world, right here in Chicago, and i want others to know that and I want us to be proud of that."