Dr. Melissa L. Gilliam has been announced as Boston University's 11th president. Gilliam's appointment marks the first instance of both a woman, and a Black individual leading the institution. Her substantial background in the fields of academia and medicine contributes an unique expertise to the university's leadership. Her appointment was announced on October 4th, 2023 according to a press release.
Dr. Gilliam is presently the executive vice president and provost of The Ohio State University. Her accomplishments span across a variety of fields, including education, science research, and medicine, earning her a distinguished reputation. Moreover, she has shown an interest in English Literature, philosophy, politics, arts, and culture. As quoted in The Boston Globe, Gilliam attributes her intellectual curiosity and belief in civic engagement and public service to her influential parents and her upbringing.
As a Harvard Medical School graduate and an active collaborator with researchers at the BU School of Public Health, Dr. Gilliam is familiar with the Boston community. She is enthusiastic about the university's interaction with the city and is looking forward to submerging herself in its dynamic environment.
Dr. Gilliam will be succeeding President Robert A. Brown, who served the university from 2005 until his resignation this summer. Under Brown's leadership, Boston University quadrupled its endowment, welcomed a more diverse student body, and emerged as a leading private urban research institution.
The university's exhaustive year-long search concluded with nearly 400 potential candidates from throughout the globe. This process benefited from the insights and feedback gleaned from hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and alumni regarding the qualifications they deemed critical for a new President. This invaluable feedback helped direct the Presidential Search Committee's decisions, comprised of 16 individuals. According to Ahmass Fakahany, the chair of the BU Board of Trustees, the exceptional quality of the candidates underscored the university's accomplishments and potential. The appointment of Dr. Gilliam as Boston University's 11th president represents a momentous step towards actualizing the institution's full potentia.
