The Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton | Office of the President | Columbia College Chicago

Celebrating the Investiture of Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, 11th President of Columbia College Chicago

Renaissance Rising: 135 Years Bold

Thursday, March 5, 2026
Doors open at 9 a.m.
Ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
Reception to follow

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

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.

dr bolton with student

dr bolton in discussion with students

dr bolton speaking to students

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, Dr. 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, Dr. 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, Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. Bolton holds a Ph.D. 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, Dr. Bolton is leading the institution with bold vision and purpose—ensuring that Columbia remains a launchpad for innovation and impact in higher education.

Attendees

Guests and Community Members

We warmly invite members of the Columbia community, friends, alumni, partners, and honored guests to join us for this historic celebration. Kindly confirm your attendance by completing the RSVP form below.

Delegates

University leaders unable to attend who would like to designate a delegate can do so here. Please complete the registration form below to confirm your participation. Additional details regarding the processional, robing, and arrival instructions will be shared with you closer to the event.

We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you at Columbia College Chicago.

DELEGATE REGISTRATION

Hotel Accommodations

For your convenience, a selection of hotels is available within close proximity to Columbia College Chicago and the Investiture venues. These hotels are located in the downtown Chicago area and offer a range of accommodations to meet varying preferences and needs.

Guests are encouraged to make hotel reservations early, as availability may be limited. The hotels listed below are commonly used by campus visitors and are within walking distance or a short drive of Investiture events.

Official Investiture Hotel Partner: The Blackstone

The Blackstone Hotel

636 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 447-0955

Our Presidential investiture partner hotel, the Blackstone, Autograph Collection, on Chicago's famed Grant Park and just steps from our intestiture site.

Book your group rate for Columbia College Room Block

Start Date: Wednesday, March 04, 2026
End Date: Sunday, March 08, 2026

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
169.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Additional Hotel Recommendations:

Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-4400
Le Meridien Essex Hotel
800 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 939-2800
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 427-3800

Investiture Programming

Join us as we celebrate the investiture of President Shantay N. Bolton and participate in a series of exciting campus-wide events and activations in March. Full investiture programming to be announced.

Please contact us at investiture@colum.edu for any questions you may have about the investiture events.

Notice of filming: Photo and video will be captured during the investiture and event programming. Attendees acknowledge that they may be photographed and recorded in connection with the event and thereby grant permission for their likeness and voice to be included in any advertising or promotional materials produced from this footage without compensation, credit, or other consideration.

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

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Lakeside Chat With Mayor Brandon Johnson

Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: The Hive, 618 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.

Other Campus Events, Activities, and Performances

We hope you check out our amazing campus events and performances while you are visiting Chicago! Columbia offers amazing student-centered events including concerts, art exhibitions, industry panel discussions, and film screenings.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

Events

Wednesday Noon Guitar Concert Series
Date: March 4, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.
Sponsored by the School of Audio and Music
Student Academy Awards 2025 Screening
Date: March 4, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Room 504, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.
Sponsored by the School of Film and Television

Exhibitions

Toile: A Fashion Process Artifact
This installation centers the garment mockup as a critical product of design thinking.
Location: Fashion Window, 618 S. Michigan Ave.
Sponsored by the School of Fashion
MoCP at 50: Collecting Through the Decades
Date: January 22 – May 16, 2026
Link: View Exhibition Website
RE:CONNECT — An Educator’s Exhibition
CPS Teachers’ Art Exhibit celebrating Identity, Relationships, and Community.
Date: February 16 – March 12, 2026
Location: C33 Gallery, 33 E. Ida B Wells
Sponsored by the School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts Staff and Faculty Show
The faculty and staff of SVA come together annually to share their work with the community.
Date: February 13 – March 12, 2026
Location: Glass Curtain, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.
Sponsored by the School of Visual Arts
Outside the Line
Student exhibition
Date: March 4 – March 30, 2026 (Opening reception is Wednesday, March 4 from 4-6 p.m.)
Location: Hokin Gallery, 623 S. Wabash Ave.
Sponsored by Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration

VIEW ALL EVENTS VIEW LESS
THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Events
- Philip Lassiter Residency Concert
  Date: March 5, 2026
  Time: 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm
  Location: Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court
  Sponsored by the School of Audio and Music
- Outside the Line — Opening Reception
  Student exhibition
  Date: March 5, 2026
  Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  Location: Hokin Gallery, 33 E. Ida B Wells
  Sponsored by the School of Visual Arts
Exhibitions
- MoCP at 50: Collecting Through the Decades
  Date: January 22 – May 16, 2026
  Link: View Exhibition Website
- Toile: A Fashion Process Artifact
  Location: Fashion Window, 618 S. Michigan
  Sponsored by the School of Fashion
- RE:CONNECT — An Educator’s Exhibition
  Date: February 16 – March 12, 2026
  Location: C33 Gallery, 33 E. Ida B Wells
  Sponsored by the School of Visual Arts
FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Events
- Vocal Studies Forum/Master Class - MASTER CLASS #6
  Date: March 6, 2026
  Time: 1:00 pm
  Location: The Concert Hall, 1014 S. Michigan Avenue
  Sponsored by the School of Audio and Music
- LOMA (Love of Music and Atmosphere) with the Hip Hop Renegades
  A project by student Ky Bedford featuring workshops, performances, and vendors.
  Date: March 6 – 7, 2026
  Time: Friday 12pm-9pm; Saturday 10am-12pm
  Location: Dance Center
  Sponsored by the School of Theatre and Dance
Exhibitions
- Toile: A Fashion Process Artifact
  Location: Fashion Window, 618 S. Michigan
  Sponsored by the School of Fashion
- Outside the Line
  Date: March 4 – March 30, 2026
  Location: Hokin Gallery, 33 E. Ida B Wells
  Sponsored by the School of Visual Arts

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