Brooklyn College President Karen Gould Is Retiring Next Summer

Brooklyn College President Karen Gould, appointed in 2009, will be leaving her post and going into retirement next summer, the college confirms.

Gould sent out the following letter on Thursday.

Dear Campus Community,

I write to share with you my decision to retire next summer, in July 2016, in order to spend more time with family members and enjoy personal interests.

This coming year marks my 42nd year in higher education and my seventh year at Brooklyn College. It has been a great honor and pleasure to work with you on behalf of this remarkable institution. We have accomplished much together in pursuit of educational access and academic excellence.

I look forward to working with you in the year ahead and to ensuring a smooth transition for the future leadership.

In sincere appreciation,

Karen L. Gould

City University of New York (CUNY) chancellor James Milliken also sent an email to students and staff announcing Gould’s decision.

In the email, he praised her for creating the college’s new five-school structure — as well as a new graduate film school — and “enhancing the profile and quality of Brooklyn College’s science programs.”

Gould’s department shakeups have also earned her some on-campus critics over the years. When Gould used her executive power to remove faculty-elected department chairmen for three of the college’s top departments in 2013, she was met with fierce push-back from faculty.

The college’s nationwide search for a new president will begin this fall.

“I am confident that the next President of Brooklyn College will build upon her legacy and the superb work of the College’s talented faculty, staff and students,” Milliken says.