ATLANTA — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia announced Dr. M. Brain Blake as the finalist for the Georgia State University presidency on Thursday, June 10. Blake will leave his post as executive vice president of Academic Affairs and provost of George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, D.C.
“Dr. M. Brian Blake’s experience as a leader in higher education makes him an outstanding candidate to lead one of the nation’s top universities for innovation in student success while also making sure graduates have the skills they need to work – and make an impact – around Georgia and anywhere in the world ... I am pleased he’s been selected as the finalist for president of Georgia State,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said.
“Georgia State University has set a national standard for helping students of all backgrounds attain their degrees while achieving records through strong financial management and faculty research. Its next president should build on those successes while understanding why families seek better opportunities through higher education. Dr. Blake, as a first-generation college graduate with a passion for software and computing, is just that person. He also happens to be Georgia-born and USG-educated, and I am pleased he’s been selected as the finalist for president of Georgia State.”
Blake is a computer science and electrical computer engineering professor at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
He is currently the highest-ranking academic officer at GWU and recently spearheaded the university’s post-pandemic plan to assess teaching and course modalities innovations.
Blake earned his Ph.D. in Information and Software Engineering from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Mercer University in Atlanta, and Bachelor of electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.
“As a native Georgian, I am honored and humbled to be named finalist for the presidency of Georgia State University – the largest institution of higher education in my home state ... I would be delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of the institution,” Blake commented.