Maurie McInnis, a prominent figure in higher education and cultural history, has been appointed as the 24th president of Yale University, marking a historic moment as the first woman to hold this position permanently. The announcement was made on Wednesday, following the retirement of Peter Salovey, the previous president.
McInnis, currently serving as the president of Stony Brook University in New York, will take on her new role at Yale starting July 1. With a unanimous vote from the Board of Trustees, she was selected for her exceptional leadership qualities, scholarly achievements, and dedication to academic excellence.
Having an extensive background in academia, McInnis previously held key positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Virginia. She is no stranger to Yale, having received her master's degree and doctorate from the institution, where she specialized in art history, particularly focusing on the intersection of art and slavery in the southern United States during the 19th century.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, McInnis emphasized her eagerness to engage with the Yale community, highlighting the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, and students to the university's academic and cultural landscape.
As she prepares to assume leadership at Yale, McInnis plans to conduct listening sessions and individual meetings to better understand the needs and aspirations of the university community. She will be taking the helm of an esteemed institution with a rich history, a substantial endowment, and a diverse student and faculty population.
Recognized for her scholarly work and commitment to addressing pressing issues such as climate change, McInnis is poised to lead Yale into a new era of academic excellence and innovation. Her appointment as the first female president since Hanna Holborn Gray's tenure in the late 1970s signifies a significant milestone for the university.
