Ohio Northern University in Ada Names Melissa Baumann as Its Twelfth President

The board of trustees of Ohio Northern University in Ada has named Melissa J. Baumann as the university’s twelfth president. When she takes office on July 1, Dr. Baumann will be the first woman to lead the university in its 151-year history.

Ohio Northern University, a private educational institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, enrolls just over 2,100 undergraduate students and nearly 700 graduate students, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up just 45 percent of the undergraduate student body.

Dr. Baumann has been serving as provost and chief academic officer at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Prior to Dr. Baumann’s arrival at Xavier, she was an assistant provost and head of the Honors College at Auburn University in Alabama, where she was a professor of mechanical engineering. She began her academic career at Michigan State University where she taught materials science and engineering and focused on research on biomaterials and tissue engineering.

“ONU’s commitment to an affordable, accessible education not only supports students as they prepare to engage the world, but also distinguishes ONU as an institution of purpose, positioning the university well to confront the lingering challenges of the pandemic and the rapidly approaching demographic cliff among traditional-aged college students,” Dr. Baumann said. “My promise is to lead from a place of authentic commitment and connection, characterized by genuine engagement with board members, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. My career has been characterized by a commitment to partnering with faculty and staff to provide a challenging yet supportive environment where all students are able to develop the tools, qualities, and habits of mind that propel them to leadership in service to society.”

Dr. Baumann earned a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering at Michigan Technological University. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Latest News

Two Women Selected to Lead Community Colleges in Minnesota

Linda Kingston is the new president of Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota, and Pakou Yang has been named interim president of Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Manya Whitaker is the Fifteenth President of Colorado College

"I am inspired daily by our students’ passion, our faculty’s wisdom, our staff’s dedication, and the entire campus community’s commitment to the College’s values," said Dr. Whitaker. "I look forward to working together to build on our strengths and shape an even brighter future for Colorado College."

Three Women Selected to Lead Community Colleges in the United States

Lori Gonko has been named interim president of Henry Ford College in Michigan, Lena Tran has been appointed interim chancellor of Yosemite Community College District in California, and Laura Treanor is the new president of Virginia Western Community College.

A Trio of Women Who Have Recently Been Appointed to Provost Positions

The new provosts are Anne Alexander at the University of Wyoming, Pamela Bacon at Luther College in Iowa, and Catherine Edmonds at North Carolina A&T State University.

Joyce Ester Appointed the Seventh President of Governors State University in Illinois

"I am ecstatic to contribute to GovState's vision and mission in partnership with a strong community of students, staff, faculty, and supportive community members," said Dr. Ester. "Together, we will continue to foster an environment of academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity."

MOSDOH – Dean of the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

The dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for MOSDOH, leading a mission-driven dental school known for innovation, community partnerships, and service to the underserved.

Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer

The successful candidate will have a strong financial and administrative background and demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex community college that values integrity, excellence, empowerment, inclusiveness, collaboration and stewardship.

Instructional Professor in Law, Letters, and Society (Open Rank)

The Social Sciences Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago is now accepting applications for a full-time Instructional Professor who will teach in the program in Law, Letters, and Society.

Instructor, Economics

The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in Economics at the Instructor position level to begin in the 2025-26 academic year and is renewable for up to three years.

Vice Chancellor for Student Success

The Vice Chancellor for Student Success will be a strategic, student-centered, data-informed, systems thinker who thrives in a fast paced, high-achieving environment.