A Columbia Trustee's View: Higher education is at a crossroads. Let's choose builders over destroyers

As a scientist and trustee of Columbia University, I have witnessed how an institution once hailed as a pillar of intellectual progress can be threatened from within and without.

Dr. Shoshana Shendelman, PhD is a scientist and entrepreneur who has founded numerous biotech companies. She is a pioneer in the development of drugs and therapeutics for rare and underserved diseases. Currently she a member of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University, and Vice Chair of the Board of Advisors at Columbia University Medical Center and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The majority of my family left Iran during the revolution (I am a Persian Jew) in the face of violence, extremism, oppression and destruction. My family chose to emigrate to the United States because it is a nation of hope, freedom and opportunity. Through education, dedication and hard work, we have been able to achieve the "American dream" – we are doctors, nurses, scientists, engineers, mothers, fathers – all productive, contributing members of society, engaged in our communities.