Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Dwight A. McBride will leave Emory University in Spring 2020 to serve as the ninth president of The New School (N.Y.), according to an Oct. 11 New School press release. McBride will succeed current New School President David E. Van Zandt, who will leave after nearly a decade of service.
“I am joining a community that truly inspires me,” McBride said in the press release. “I am excited for the opportunity to have a role in … ensuring that The New School builds on its inspiring legacy.”
McBride was appointed University provost and executive vice president of academic affairs in May 2017. During his time at Emory, he also served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of African American Studies and Distinguished Affiliated Professor of English.
As chief academic officer, McBride reported to University President Claire E. Sterk and collaborated with University deans.
In Fall 2018, McBride and Sterk launched a strategic framework called “One Emory: Engaged for Impact” that aimed to bring recognition to Emory as a leading research university.
Sterk expressed appreciation for McBride’s dedication during his time at Emory.
“Significant progress was made in advancing the university’s academic progress, particularly in recruiting and cultivating world-class faculty scholars,” Sterk said in an Oct. 11 University press release. “[McBride’s] vision for, and devotion to, an intellectual, inclusive community has enriched many lives. .... He reminded us daily of the impact each individual can have in the service of humanity.”
McBride’s presidency at The New School will coincide with the university’s 100-year anniversary. In The New School’s release, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The New School Joseph R. Gromek expressed looking forward to McBride’s guidance during this historic moment for the university.
“He is clearly the right leader for this university at this extraordinary moment in history,” Gromek said. “[He] is a phenomenal leader, a builder of complex programs, an academic and a scholar who has a greater appreciation for our mission, values and goals.”
McBride previously served as dean of the graduate school and associate provost for graduate education at Northwestern University (Ill.) and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is an award-winning author of several essay collections and books, and serves as co-editor of the annual “James Baldwin Review” journal.
Correction (10/17/19 at 1:20 a.m.): A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Dwight McBride previously work at Georgetown University (D.C.).
