Indian American Neeli Bendapudi creates history, becomes first woman president of Penn State University

Indian-origin professor Neeli Bendapudi has created history as the first woman and person of color to be named as the president of America’s prestigious Pennsylvania State University, the educational institution announced on Thursday. Bendapudi, who was born in Visakhapatnam and came to the US in 1986 for higher studies, is currently serving as the president and professor of marketing at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

She has been unanimously named Penn State’s next president by the Penn State Board of Trustees on December 9, the Pennsylvania State University said in a statement on its website. When she begins her appointment as Penn State’s 19th president in spring 2022, she will make history as the first woman and person of color to serve as the University’s president, it said.

Bendapudi, currently the 18th president of the University of Louisville, is a recognised leader in higher education who specializes in marketing and consumer behavior. With a nearly 30-year career in academia, she has taught marketing and served in a variety of administrative roles over the years, including as provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas, dean of the School of Business at the University of Kansas, and founding director of the Initiative for Managing Services at Ohio State University.

With a focus on collaboration and development, Bendapudi has dedicated her career to student success, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities for students, faculty and staff to thrive. “Penn State is a world-class university, and I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to join this vibrant community of outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the commonwealth and beyond,” Bendapudi said.

“Thank you to the Penn State community and Board of Trustees. I am grateful for this opportunity and will make it my mission to help Penn State reach new heights across each of our campuses.” Bendapudi will succeed President Eric J Barron, who will retire after serving Penn State for more than 30 years.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Bendapudi to Penn State. She is a dynamic and innovative leader who has dedicated nearly her entire professional life to higher education and is prepared to help our University advance in the ways we support students, create new knowledge and serve society,” said Matt Schuyler, chair of the Board of Trustees.

 

 

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