Joy Goldstein has resigned from her position as president of Gratz College, effective February 10, 2017. In her statement, Goldstein explained that she is leaving Gratz to become associate vice president for planning and research at The Jewish Federations of North America.

“Gratz College holds a special place in my heart,” Goldstein said. “I graduated from the Gratz Hebrew High School as well as the School of Observation and Practice. I like to say that I came to Gratz when I was 8 years old. I am thrilled and honored to have been a part of its history.”

Goldstein began her career at Gratz as a consultant in December 2008, and served as chief operating officer before being appointed as the institution’s first woman president in June 2011. Prior to joining Gratz, she served as the chief planning and funding officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

During Goldstein’s tenure as president of Gratz, the College significantly increased the number of its degree-granting programs and diversified its offerings to reach broader markets. The College’s permanently restricted endowment also increased by more than 50% since 2011. As an early adopter of online education, Gratz has become a global resource for Jewish studies. Leveraging the College’s online learning platform, Gratz also launched a well-received program of professional development for supplementary school teachers across North America.

The Gratz College Board of Governors has appointed Rabbi Erin Hirsh as interim president. Rabbi Hirsh was a senior staff member at the college with a wide-ranging portfolio of responsibilities.

On behalf of the board, Chairwoman Michelle Portnoff expressed gratitude for Goldstein’s leadership.