Columbia University President Jennifer L. Mnookin Hosts Community Partners Breakfast

In her first week as Columbia University's new president, Jennifer L. Mnookin welcomed local elected officials, community leaders, neighbors, and University affiliates to the Manhattanville campus for an energetic breakfast reception marking her commitment to deepening ties between Columbia and New York City.

Between mixing and mingling, Mnookin delivered remarks touching on Columbia's role as an economic backbone of the city, its commitment to enriching the lives of local youth and community members, and its plans to grow its already-strong support of community institutions. She also pledged to examine public access to the Morningside campus. 

“All of you are in this room because you work in ways that make a difference to communities,” Mnookin said. “What I want to do today is to honor that and to say that I want Columbia to be a strong partner.

“The relationship between a university and a community is based on much more than just proximity. It's based on shared aspirations, on friendships, on building trust, on the ability to work together when things are easy and also when things are challenging.

“When each of us flourishes, we can all flourish, and these partnerships are one of our greatest strengths and a significant responsibility. So, thank you. Thank you for being here today. Thank you for the work you do, and thank you for being part of our shared endeavor.”

Among the nearly 200 attendees at the July 7, 2026, event were New York State Senator Robert Jackson; New York State Assemblymember Jordan J.G. Wright; New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam; New York County Clerk and Chairman of the West Harlem Development Corporation Milton Tingling; Manhattan Deputy Borough President Miesha Smith; President of the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce Quenia Abreu; Superintendent of Harlem Community School District 5 Sean Davenport; Chair of Manhattan Community Board 9 Victor Edwards; President and CEO of Empire State Development Hope Knight; Eli Northrup, public defender and candidate for New York State Assembly District 69; President and CEO of the New York Urban League Arva Rice; and Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice Peggy Shepard.

Gracious Thyme catered the delicious breakfast, lively florals were provided by La Fleur d’Harlem, and a quartet from Columbia Community Service grantee Harlem Chamber Players performed beautiful arrangements for guests in attendance. 

Below, find a selection of photos from the celebratory event.