Knight-Bagehot director Narisetti to depart Columbia

Steve Coll, the dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, sent the following memo to the Knight-Bagehot board:

Dear Knight-Bagehot Board Members,

I am sorry to report that Raju Narisetti will be leaving the Knight-Bagehot program and Columbia Journalism School at the end of this semester, to pursue new opportunities in business publishing.

Raju’s let us know earlier this fall that he had to make this change for unexpected personal reasons and although we will miss his leadership, we understand his decision and are grateful for the strong work he has done at Columbia while he was here.

I am pleased to announce that Ann Grimes will become interim director of the Knight-Bagehot program effective in mid-January, and that she has agreed to lead the program through the 2020-21 academic year. Ann currently serves as Associate Director of Stanford University’s Brown Institute. She previously served as Director of Stanford’s Graduate Program in Journalism and has taught extensively at Stanford over the past decade. Her distinguished career in journalism included senior editorial positions at the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. We’re delighted to have her leadership during this transition. 

We intend to conduct a search during the 2020-21 academic year to identify a faculty member who will lead Knight-Bagehot into the future. 

We hope to review our plans, introduce you to Ann, and take stock of how to make this transition successful at our next K-B board meeting. Thanks to the board members who took time to advise me as we worked this through and for your offers of support.

In addition to his foresightful and strong leadership of Knight-Bagehot, Raju has been a valued faculty member in developing and delivering our professional programs, including the valuable role he has played in resetting the Sulzburger Executive Leadership Program at the journalism school. We are pleased that Corey Ford, who recently came on board to direct the Sulzberger fellowships, will take full leadership of the program from January. 

Please join me in wishing Raju the very best and in welcoming Ann and Corey.

Steve