The Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton

Congratulations to Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, 11th President of Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago formally installed Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, as its 11th president during an investiture ceremony titled “Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold” on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The investiture celebrated both the college’s storied legacy and its future, signaling the beginning of a new chapter as Columbia builds on 135 years of impact in Chicago’s creative and cultural economy. Faculty, students, alumni, civic leaders, family, friends, and community partners gathered to honor the occasion and affirm a shared commitment to innovation, equity, and artistic excellence under President Bolton’s leadership.

View the full recording of the investiture ceremony, capturing the formal proceedings, speeches, and special recognitions as they happened.

WATCH HERE

Support Columbia College Chicago

The Renaissance Innovation for Student Excellence Fund (RISE) is a fund that fuels bold, forward-facing initiatives shaping Columbia College Chicago’s future. Gifts to RISE empower Columbia to act nimbly, drive innovation, and ensure our students and faculty remain at the forefront of creativity and discovery.

GIVE NOW

About President Bolton

A transformational executive widely recognized for her strategic and operational acumen, Dr. Shantay N. Bolton serves as the Columbia College Chicago’s 11th President. Appointed president and chief executive officer on July 1, 2025, President Bolton is the first woman of color—and the first woman in nearly 90 years—to lead the college.

An accomplished higher education leader with more than two decades of senior-level experience, President Bolton is heralded for her fiscal prowess, inclusive leadership approach, and unwavering commitment to student success. Prior to joining Columbia, she served as executive vice president for administration and finance and chief business officer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she oversaw a $3.1 billion enterprise, led major capital initiatives, launched an office of equal opportunity, compliance and conflict management, and served as executive sponsor of Georgia Tech’s Freedom of Expression work group. Her executive profile also entails previous board roles with Georgia Tech Research Corporation and Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures.

Before Georgia Tech, President Bolton was executive vice chancellor for administration at Washington University in St. Louis, where she led the university’s administrative transformation, operational strategic planning, and institutional responses to national issues such as reproductive healthcare access and racial equity. She chaired key initiatives including the university’s equity and inclusion council and the return-to-campus strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Bolton’s career also comprises executive roles at Tulane University, where she served as vice president and deputy chief operating officer and founded the Tulane University Leadership Institute. At Tulane, she led innovative strategies in supplier diversity, pandemic response, and organizational design. She has also held key leadership roles at Tuskegee University and in the private sector—bringing along a rare hybrid of academic, administrative, and corporate insight to her presidency.

President Bolton holds a PhD in Organizational Psychology from Walden University, an M.B.A. from Florida International University, and both a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from Alabama A&M University. A passionate educator and advocate, she has taught in multiple institutions including Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, Palm Beach State College, and the Federal Executive Institute.

She is the recipient of numerous honors including the Titan 100 for both the St. Louis and Georgia regions, “40 Under 40” in New Orleans, and the 2024 “Women We Admire in Georgia” award. Her civic involvement includes board service with the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and leadership in workforce development and inclusive initiatives.

As President of Columbia College Chicago, President Bolton is leading the institution with bold vision and purpose—ensuring that Columbia remains a launchpad for innovation and impact in higher education.

About The Investiture

Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, Formally Installed as 11th President of Columbia College Chicago

In a ceremony that blended academic tradition with Columbia’s signature creativity, Dr. Bolton’s investiture marks an important moment in Columbia’s renaissance.

In The News

Columbia College Chicago to Formally Install its First Female and Black President in School's History

ABC 7 featured the Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, 11th President of Columbia College Chicago. (ABC 7 News, Mar 05, 2026)

Dr. Shantay N. Bolton was Formally Installed This Morning as Columbia's 11th President

Local news station WGN helped Columbia and the city of Chicago celebrate the Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton with a feature on their midday news segement. (WGN 9 , Mar 05, 2026)

Dr. Shantay N. Bolton was Live on Air With FOX 32 for Her Investiture Ceremony Celebrations

FOX 32 helped Columbia College Chicago celebrate its new president during the Investiture Ceremony on Thursday, March 5. President Bolton spoke about the Renaissance Rising and the rebirth of Columbia to FOX 32 anchor Anita Blanton. (FOX 32 Chicago, Mar 05, 2026)

Dr. Shantay N. Bolton Becomes the 11th President of Columbia College Chicago

Dr. Shantay N. Bolton officially became president at a ceremony called "Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold" in the student center on Wabash in Chicago's Loop. Interview with President Bolton featured on CBS News Chicago. (CBS News Chicago, Mar 05, 2026)

Investiture Students Activations Highlight Creativity Across 8 Schools

The Columbia Chronicle Student-led showcases across the Student Center replaced programming typically held during the college’s Persistence Scholarship Gala, giving visitors glimpses of work from Columbia’s eight schools during celebrations for President Shantay Bolton’s investiture. (The Chronicle, Mar 05, 2026)

Investiture Programming

Take a look at the exciting campus-wide events and activations that played an important part in making the week of Dr. Bolton's investiture special.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

Folded Map Project: Screening and Conversation with Tonika Lewis Johnson ’03

Date: March 4, 2026
Time: 1:30-3 p.m. CST
Location: Film Row Cinema, 1104 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL
Sponsored by the School of Communication and Culture in collaboration with School of Film and Television

RSVP required.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold Investiture Ceremony

Date: March 5, 2026
Time: Doors open at 9 a.m.
Ceremony takes place from 10 a.m.-noon at the Student Center
Dress Code: Business Attire

Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold Celebration Reception

Date: March 5, 2026
Time: Noon-2 p.m.
Location: Student Center 754 S Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL
Dress Code: Business Attire

Striking the Match: A Conversation on Creative Courage with Vincent "Whiskey" Tolliver

Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: The Hive 618 S. Michigan Ave. 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL
Dress Code: Business Casual

RSVP

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

MoCP at Fifty | Investiture Weekend Collaboration Reception

Time: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: MoCP, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Dress Code: Business Attire

Philip Lassiter Residency Concerts

Date: March 5 - 7, 2026
Time: Sets at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Location: The Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct. Chicago, IL
Admission: $25

Resident artist Philip Lassiter performs in a pair of residency concerts featuring the Columbia Jazz Ensemble, Fusion Ensemble, and Latin Ensemble. Presented as part of Lassiter’s campus residency, the evening highlights student musicians alongside a GRAMMY Award–winning trumpeter, arranger, and producer in a live club setting.

Support Columbia College Chicago

About President Bolton

Investiture Highlights

About The Investiture

In The News

Investiture Programming

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Get to Know Columbia

Mission and History

Strategic Priorities

Board of trustees

Past Presidents

Support Columbia College Chicago