University Announces New Provost

The George Washington University announced Friday that Edward J. Balleisen, a nationally recognized academic leader, will be the university's next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Balleisen comes to GW after more than 25 years at Duke University, where he has served as senior vice provost for interdisciplinary programs and initiatives for the past decade. In this role, he has led efforts to expand interdisciplinary research, education and engagement across Duke's 10 schools.

He oversees a broad portfolio that includes more than 90 faculty, 175 research staff and combined budgets exceeding $150 million. He has launched innovative academic programs, supported emerging areas of scholarship and helped strengthen Duke's global reputation for interdisciplinary work, leading to it being recognized recently by Times Higher Education and Schmidt Sciences as No. 6 out of 911 universities in the world for interdisciplinary science.

"At this pivotal moment of change and opportunity for the university, I am delighted to welcome Dr. Balleisen as GW's next Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs," said President Ellen M. Granberg. "He brings extensive leadership experience, a spirit of collaboration, and an understanding of what it means not only to think big but to plan, carry out, and succeed as a leader of large-scale university-wide initiatives."

Balleisen has also played a key role in university-wide decision-making as a member of Duke's provost leadership team, contributing to major institutional decisions on issues ranging from the pandemic response to artificial intelligence strategy. His experience spans faculty affairs, strategic planning, fundraising and graduate education, including efforts to reform Ph.D. training and expand experiential learning opportunities for students.

One of his most notable achievements is his leadership of Bass Connections, a program that annually organizes more than 75 year-long interdisciplinary research teams involving hundreds of faculty and students. Over 12 years, these teams have conducted research across the United States and in more than 50 countries, producing publications, exhibits and prototypes while helping generate more than $120 million in external funding and informing major public policy initiatives.

A professor of history and public policy, Balleisen has been recognized with two undergraduate teaching prizes and a graduate mentoring award.

Balleisen said GW's strengths-including its community and Washington, D.C., location-make the provost role especially compelling.

"GW has fantastic faculty and staff, wonderfully talented students, an ethos of engagement and service, and a location in the nation's capital that creates so many unique opportunities," he said, adding that the university's leadership team, led by Granberg, was another key factor in his interest in the position.

"I am deeply committed to the importance and impact of higher education and very much aware that we need research universities that can be adaptive in the face of the circumstances that we now confront," he said.

Balleisen said GW's strategic framework aligns closely with his vision for the future of higher education and called the opportunity to partner with the university community "extremely exciting."

"I have much to learn about the incredible communities across GW and am eager to visit faculty meetings, engage with student leaders and attend alumni events," he said. "I'll also be looking for informal opportunities - at campus performances, athletic events and gatherings like Pizza with the Provost."

As the university's chief academic officer, Balleisen will be responsible for guiding GW's overall academic enterprise. The provost directly supervises GW's 10 schools and colleges, its institutes and museums, and several administrative divisions that advance and support its education and research missions.

The provost also plays a critical role in long-term institutional and academic planning and implementation, and oversees the recruiting, hiring and advancement of more than 2,800 faculty members.

"Dr. Balleisen is going to be great for GW," Interim Provost John Lach said. "His passions and experience align extremely well with our Strategic Framework, especially in terms of supporting interdisciplinary research, educating student leaders and fostering an inclusive community. He will be an excellent leader of our academic enterprise, and I look forward to working with him during the transition and as dean of GW Engineering."

Lach, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), has served in the interim position since last July. Jason Zara, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of biomedical engineering, has served as interim SEAS dean during that time period.

"I join the GW community in thanking John Lach for serving as interim provost and Jason Zara for taking on responsibilities as interim dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science during this period of leadership transition," said Granberg. "Their commitment and service demonstrate the OneGW spirit that we all cultivate as we work together to advance the university as a whole."

The provost search was led by John Simon of Education Executives. Simon is the former president of Lehigh University and former provost of the University of Virginia with a proven track record of successful academic leadership placements.

An internal 23-member committee composed of trustees, faculty, staff and students from across GW advised the president on the search. The process was also informed by community input gathered through a series of community forums, among other channels.

"Ed Balleisen brings an unmatched breadth of experience in fostering successful, impactful interdisciplinary research as well as a passion for higher education as a force for good in society," said Madeleine Jacobs, former trustee and co-chair of the Provost Search Advisory Committee. "The committee was impressed with his knowledge of GW, and it is clear he will hit the ground running."

Katrin Schultheiss, search committee co-chair and associate professor of history, echoed the sentiment. "I am delighted that Dr. Balleisen will be our new provost," she said. "His deep experience with interdisciplinary research and learning, his long and impressive scholarly record, and his thoughtful and realistic analysis of the challenges facing higher education today give me great confidence that he will provide the academic leadership that GW needs at this pivotal moment in our history."

Student Government Association President Ethan Lynne said he thought Balleisen would connect with the student body. "I am jumping for joy at the news of Ed being chosen as our next provost," he said. "Ed stood out as the right choice for the job through my conversations with him about the future of GW and how he will engage students. He possesses the knowledge, passion, determination and intellect necessary to take on the role of provost."

Balleisen earned a bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Princeton University and a master's and doctorate in American history from Yale University. He has two sons: Zachary, an engineer, and Aaron, a Ph.D. student. His wife, Karin Shapiro, is a professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at Duke.