Biography:M. Brian Blake

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Short description: American computer scientist
M. Brian Blake
President-Blake-cover-fall-2021.jpg
M. Brian Blake
NationalityUnited States
Alma materGeorge Mason University, Ph.D
Mercer University, M.S.
Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S.
Scientific career
FieldsInternet Computing
InstitutionsGeorgia State University
George Washington University
Drexel University
University of Miami
University of Notre Dame
Georgetown University

M. Brian Blake is an American computer scientist/software engineer and the eighth president of Georgia State University.[1] He was previously the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at George Washington University; executive vice president of academic affairs and the Nina Henderson Provost at Drexel University; the dean of the graduate school and vice provost for academic affairs at the University of Miami; an associate dean for research and professor at the College of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame; and department chair and professor of computer science at Georgetown University.

Blake was named as the most promising scientist in 2003 by Career Communications [2] and recognized as a Top 10 Emerging Scholar in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.[3] His research has received more than $12 million in funding, and he is an author of more than 225 scholarly publications.[4] He is an ACM Distinguished Scientist and a Fellow of the IEEE.[5] Blake has also been a strong advocate for increasing diversity in the study of computer science and other STEM disciplines.[6]

Early life

M. Brian Blake was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, and graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1989 and Georgia Institute of Technology in 1994.[7] He spent six years working as a software architect, technical lead and expert developer with General Electric, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and The MITRE Corporation.[4] While employed by Lockheed Martin, Blake earned his master's degree in electrical engineering from Mercer University and his doctoral degree from George Mason University.[8]

Career

In 1999, Blake became an adjunct professor in Georgetown University's Department of Computer Science. He was promoted to associate professor in 2005,[7] becoming the youngest tenured African-American computer science professor in the nation.[3] Blake was named chair of the Department of Computer Science in 2007.[7] He was also director of graduate studies as the department launched its first graduate program, and ran a research group in Web-based systems that undertook more than $6 million in sponsored research.[9]

Blake joined the University of Notre Dame in 2009 as professor of computer science and engineering and associate dean of engineering for research and graduate studies.[7] His role included faculty development, student recruitment and diversity strategies, and working with corporate and foundation partners.[10]

In July 2012, Blake was named vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Miami. He was responsible for research on the university's Coral Gables campus, and worked with the deans of Miami's schools and colleges and the Faculty Senate on efforts to diversify the university's faculty. He oversaw graduate programs serving more than 5,200 students across 11 schools and colleges as dean of the Graduate School.[4]

Blake became the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Drexel University on August 1, 2015.[11] He served as the chief academic officer of Drexel with responsibility for all academic functions, and the Office of the Provost oversees every academic program and supports academic and administrative offices.[4] Under Blake's academic oversight, Drexel had its largest, most academically gifted freshman class, the University's highest retention rate,[12] the highest overall research activity in history [13] leading to the University's first-ever Carnegie Classification as a R1 Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity [14] as well as a significant increase in the enrollment of professional master students. During his first four years, he had overseen the hire of 10 Deans and more than 75 faculty while significantly increasing the diversity of administrative offices. Blake's leadership of academic space planning led to new facilities for the College of Computing and Informatics and the School of Education. Blake oversaw the creation of several contemporary centers, including the Fabric Discovery Center,[15][16][17] the Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science (WELL) Center,[18] and the University's new Teaching and Learning Center. In 2017, Blake was named the Nina Henderson Provost [19] which recognizes and enables his central programs that enhance interdisciplinary initiatives across the institution. He conceived innovative interdisciplinary programs such as Drexel Areas of Research Excellence (DARE) [20][21] and Market-Driven Academic Program Ventures (MPV) [22] which have been credited with helping enhance research and graduate education, respectively. He also oversaw the creation of the Drexel Business Solutions Institute [23] and the Experiential Edge program,[24] which extended Drexel's mission for experiential learning.

On November 1, 2019, Blake joined George Washington University as its provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.[25] Blake joined President Thomas LeBlanc's team just after the university announced a controversial new enrollment strategy[26][27] and after GW's U.S. News rank dropped 14 points in the previous two years.[28] During his term, Blake reversed this trend by 7 points leading GW to an overall U.S. News National ranking of 63.[29] Blake led the creation of several academic planning initiatives to consider future enrollments and virtual instruction [30][31][32] and also led the creation of a decentralized model to evolve GW’s research infrastructure.[33] Blake also envisioned and led a successful initiative to provide full need to Pell-eligible students at GW starting Fall 2021.[34] Blake’s tenure has coincided with university frustration at the administration that has been expressed in various ways, including a faculty poll expressing concerns about the presidential leadership team.[35] During his time as Provost, Blake was also on the short list to become president of the University of Rhode Island.[36] On June 10, 2021, he was named the sole finalist for the position of President of Georgia State University.[37]

In 2021, Blake became the eighth president of Georgia State University and the institution's first African-American president.[38][39] Blake is leading a new strategic vision for Georgia State that emphasizes four pillars: Research and Innovation, Student Success, College to Careers, and Identity and Placemaking.[40]

Personal life

Blake is married to Bridget Blake, project management consultant for The MITRE Corporation. The couple has two sons.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Savannah native named Georgia State University president". https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2021/06/17/georgia-state-brian-blake-named-president-first-african-american-and-savannah-native-benedictine/7731093002/. 
  2. ↑ "Most Promising Engineer- M. Brian Blake". http://spirit.gmu.edu/archives/spring03/blake.html. Retrieved 2009-12-26. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Blake as Top 10 Emerging Scholar". http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=22372&PageTemplateID=288. Retrieved 2009-12-27. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "About the Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs - Office of the Provost". http://drexel.edu/provost/about/provost/. 
  5. ↑ "Blake recognized for contributions to computer science and technology // News // Notre Dame News // University of Notre Dame". http://news.nd.edu/news/17807-blake-recognized-for-contributions-to-computer-science-and-technology/. 
  6. ↑ "Black Computer Scientists in Academe: an Endangered Species?". 19 September 2010. http://chronicle.com/article/Black-Computer-Scientists-i/124447/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "M. Brian Blake | The HistoryMakers". http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/m-brian-blake. 
  8. ↑ "Humble Beginnings, Knack For Science Motivate University Of Miami Vice Provost" (in en-US). Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. 29 January 2013. http://diverseeducation.com/article/51010/. 
  9. ↑ "After nine years at Georgetown, M. Brian Blake, PhD, is moving on in his career, but he leaves behind an enduring legacy with the MPS in Technology Management program | News Archive | Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies". http://scs.georgetown.edu/departments/15/master-of-professional-studies-in-technology-management/news/341/after-nine-years-at-georgetown-m-brian-blake-phd-is-moving-on-in-his-career-but-he-leaves-behind-an. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  10. ↑ "Blake named associate dean for strategic initiatives in College of Engineering // News // Notre Dame News // University of Notre Dame". http://news.nd.edu/news/12121-blake-named-associate-dean-for-strategic-initiatives-in-college-of-engineering/. 
  11. ↑ "Vice provost Brian Blake to leave for Drexel University". 20 April 2015. http://www.themiamihurricane.com/2015/04/19/vice-provost-to-leave-for-drexel/. 
  12. ↑ "Tuition was rising, appeal was falling. Here's how Drexel University is stopping the slide" (in en-US). http://www.philly.com/philly/education/drexel-university-enrollment-overhaul-president-john-fry-extension-20180629.html. 
  13. ↑ "Drexel Research Enterprise Achieves National Recognition" (in en). 9 January 2019. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2019/January/Drexel-Research-Enterprise-Achieves-National-Recognition/. 
  14. ↑ "'Professional practice' doctoral category expands Carnegie system" (in en). https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/12/19/professional-practice-doctoral-category-expands-carnegie-system. 
  15. ↑ reporter, Roberto Torres / (2017-11-15). "Why Drexel is setting up a smart-fabric manufacturing and research center" (in en). https://technical.ly/philly/2017/11/15/drexel-pennsylvania-fabric-discovery-center/. 
  16. ↑ "Drexel Brings National Network for Advanced Functional Fabrics Manufacturing to Philadelphia" (in en). April 2016. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2016/April/Drexel-AFFOA/. 
  17. ↑ "Drexel leads textile manufacturing innovation in $317M DoD initiative". 2 April 2016. https://www.phillyvoice.com/drexel-leads-region-75-million-dod-textile-manufacturing-research-initiative/. 
  18. ↑ "Drexel launches outpatient clinic for eating disorders, weight management". 12 July 2018. https://www.phillyvoice.com/drexel-eating-disorders-outpatient-clinic-well-center-weight-management-treatment/. 
  19. ↑ "Drexel Trustee and Alumna Nina Henderson Endows Provost Position" (in en). 20 September 2017. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2017/September/Nina-Henderson-Endows-Drexel-University-Provost-Position/. 
  20. ↑ "Lights, Camera, DARE: New Video Series Celebrates Drexel’s Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives" (in en). 3 October 2018. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2018/October/Video-Series-Celebrates-Drexel-DARE-Interdisciplinary-Research-Initiatives/. 
  21. ↑ "Neuroinflammation and gender studied in DARE program - The Triangle" (in en-US). The Triangle. 2017-07-28. https://www.thetriangle.org/news/neuroinflammation-gender-studied-dare-program/. 
  22. ↑ "New Master’s Programs Carve Their Place in the Market" (in en). 15 May 2017. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2017/May/Drexel-MPVs/. 
  23. ↑ "University-Level Business Solutions Institute Launched" (in en). 26 September 2018. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2018/September/University-Level-Business-Solutions-Institute-Launched/. 
  24. ↑ "Drexel Unveils Experiential Edge Winter Enrollment Program" (in en). 18 July 2017. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2017/July/Experiential-Edge/. 
  25. ↑ "New Provost Selected" (in en). https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/new-provost-selected. 
  26. ↑ "GWU aims to get smaller and better. Will that mean cuts to faculty and financial aid?". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/gwu-aims-to-get-smaller-and-better-will-that-mean-cuts-to-faculty-and-financial-aid/2019/09/12/897ac914-cffe-11e9-b29b-a528dc82154a_story.html. 
  27. ↑ "Faculty Senate questions LeBlanc, Speights about enrollment cut, rankings drop". 14 October 2019. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2019/10/14/faculty-senate-questions-leblanc-speights-about-enrollment-cut-rankings-drop/. 
  28. ↑ "GW falls seven spots on U.S. News ranking". 2019-09-10. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2019/09/10/gw-falls-seven-spots-on-u-s-news-ranking/. 
  29. ↑ "U.S. News is out with its new college rankings. Here's how the local schools fared.". https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2021/09/13/us-news-college-rankings-georgetown-maryland.html. 
  30. ↑ "Provost creates task force to analyze enrollment cut, STEM increase". The Gw Hatchet. 23 January 2020. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2020/01/23/provost-creates-task-force-to-analyze-enrollment-cut-stem-increase/. 
  31. ↑ "Officials to increase incoming class size next year after pandemic causes enrollment drop". 12 February 2021. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2021/02/12/officials-to-increase-incoming-class-size-next-year-after-pandemic-causes-enrollment-drop/. 
  32. ↑ "Officials debut task force to study the future of GW's academics after pandemic". 8 February 2021. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2021/02/08/officials-debut-task-force-to-study-the-future-of-gws-academics-after-pandemic/. 
  33. ↑ "Officials to usher in decentralized pod system for research structure". 14 August 2020. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2020/08/14/officials-to-usher-in-decentralized-pod-system-for-research-structure/. 
  34. ↑ "Undergraduate enrollment decline slows after 20/30 Plan ends". 2021-10-18. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2021/10/18/undergraduate-enrollment-decline-slows-following-end-of-20-30-plan/. 
  35. ↑ "Faculty share 'overwhelmingly negative' views of leadership: documents". 2021-04-15. https://www.gwhatchet.com/2021/04/15/its-a-shame-faculty-identify-gws-leadership-as-top-concern-in-survey-documents-show/. 
  36. ↑ "Finalist for URI president answers questions, exudes energy Monday". https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2021/03/30/administrator-george-washington-finalist-uri-president/7051355002/. 
  37. ↑ Stirgus, Eric. "Regents Picks Finalist for Georgia State's Next President". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. https://www.ajc.com/education/regents-picks-finalist-for-georgia-states-next-president/BUELMJVUZRGLHNHRP7X2HXMZTA/https://www.ajc.com/education/regents-picks-finalist-for-georgia-states-next-president/BUELMJVUZRGLHNHRP7X2HXMZTA/. 
  38. ↑ "The Atlanta Voice". https://www.theatlantavoice.com/articles/georgia%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cstate%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cuniversity%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cnames%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cbrian%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cblake%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8Cpresident%E2%80%8C-%E2%80%8C/. 
  39. ↑ Stirgus, Eric. "5 things to know about Georgia State University's new president". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. https://www.ajc.com/education/5-things-to-know-about-georgia-state-universitys-new-president/YNDWWNYBZNAR7NDDGXML2OQBUY/. 
  40. ↑ "First 100 Days - President Blake" (in en-US). https://president.gsu.edu/first100/. 

External links

Academic offices
Preceded by
Mark Becker 		President of Georgia State University
2021– 		Succeeded by



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