Ohio State president Kristina M. Johnson announces resignation

We anticipated it could be a tricky week for Ohio State, however not like this.

Catch up fast: College president Kristina M. Johnson introduced her abrupt resignation late Monday, shortly after the Columbus Dispatch reported an unnamed consulting agency had investigated unspecified “considerations” raised by her workers.

• Two days later, it is nonetheless unclear why she’ll be leaving subsequent Could and if the approaching departure is embroiled in behind-the-scenes controversy.

Why it issues: OSU is the state’s flagship college and encompasses a large scholar physique bigger than any of Columbus’ suburbs.

• The president’s imaginative and prescient and priorities form not simply the establishment however the whole state, and fast turnover can result in important turmoil.

The most recent: An OSU spokesperson tells Axios “there was not an investigation” and the surface agency was tapped to help with the president’s annual efficiency evaluation.

• However Johnson privately knowledgeable the Board of Trustees of her intent to depart, so the agency didn’t full that evaluation.
• Axios requested the title of the guide in addition to any copies of investigatory findings, however hasn’t heard again but.

Flashback: Johnson was employed in 2020 to stabilize OSU amid the pandemic and declining enrollment throughout most universities nationwide.

• Her background as an engineer, entrepreneur and former undersecretary of vitality through the Obama administration was seen as an ideal match to information the varsity’s long-term future in a area more and more turning into a analysis and tech powerhouse.

What she’s stated: Talking on the Intel groundbreaking in Licking County, Johnson described a must revive the “highly effective private-public partnership of trade, authorities and academia” — a trifecta defining not simply Ohio State, however her personal skilled profession.

And but, she is leaving midway right into a five-year contract, the second-shortest presidential tenure at school historical past.

Between the strains: Nobody accepts such a big and profitable function in greater training with the expectation of lasting simply two years. And the board of trustees wouldn’t rent somebody with that anticipation, both.

What we’re watching: Trustees will start the tough activity of discovering a brand new chief who ideally combines greater training expertise with personable management.

By the numbers: Being OSU president has been in comparison with serving as mayor of a mid-sized U.S. metropolis. Here is why:

• 67,772: College students throughout essential campus and 5 regional campuses
• 475+: Mixed variety of all diploma packages
• 49,325: Whole college, workers and executives
• $6.8 billion: Endowment as of June 2021
• $8.1 billion: College spending in FY2022
• 1,400: Pupil organizations

💭 Our thought bubble: A distinguished establishment like Ohio State will little doubt appeal to good candidates, however this sudden turnover — regardless of the cause — is something however ideally suited.