Neeli Bendapudi will become the first woman of color to be named president of Penn State University, reports American Bazaar.
The Indian American will replace Eric Barron who will depart in June, according to Black Shoe Diaries.
Bendapudi is currently the president of the University of Louisiana and is also a professor in the marketing department there.
“Leaders of great institutions are simply temporary stewards called to take great care of the mission and the people and to leave them better than they found them. Together, we have accomplished much,” she wrote in her farewell letter. “I will always carry Louisville and the Cardinals in my heart.”
Louisville board chair Mary Nixon said Bendapudi’s “enthusiastic and unwavering championship of the university has made a difference on campus, in the city, and in the commonwealth,” reported WDRB.
Born in Visakhapatnam, India, she attended the University of Kansas to earn her PhD. She went on to accept roles there as dean of the School of Business and provost and executive vice chancellor.
“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,”said Bendapudi, reported American Bazaar.
The Board of Trustees unanimously elected her to the position.
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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