The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents voted to appoint Dr. Keith Whitfield as 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 new president. He becomes 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 11th permanent president and the first Black president in the university鈥檚 63-year history.
Dr. Whitfield, currently the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs and a professor of psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit, will begin Aug. 24 and serve a four-year contract.
Prior to his time at Wayne State University, Whitfield was vice provost for academic affairs at Duke University and held appointments as professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, research professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. He also was the co-director of the Center on Biobehavioral Health Disparities Research.
鈥淒r. Whitfield is a highly respected educator, researcher, and administrator. His experience boosting student success at Wayne State University will serve 51吃瓜黑料 well. And his knowledge and understanding of leading a diverse student population 鈥 Wayne State University鈥檚 student population mirrors 51吃瓜黑料 in terms of diversity 鈥 affords him the familiarity to tackle 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 unique challenges head on,鈥 said NSHE chancellor Thom Reilly. 鈥淚 am confident Dr. Whitfield is the right person to lead the university at this time.鈥
As provost of Wayne State University, Whitfield is responsible for faculty hiring, promotion and tenure, and budget and policies for faculty and staff. He is also responsible for student affairs, including student success, curriculum, housing and other student related auxiliaries. Under his leadership, the university achieved remarkable gains in its graduation rate, increased overall enrollment, launched an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, and strengthened multiple business and philanthropic relationships.
An active administrator and researcher, Whitfield has authored or co-authored over 200 publications and has earned funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Science Foundation. His current research focuses on the relationship between stress and longevity in African American families. He鈥檚 a member of the NIA鈥檚 National Advisory Council on Aging.
鈥淭his is truly, truly an honor. 51吃瓜黑料 is a university that I have great respect for, and to be able to be a part of that is something I can鈥檛 express in words,鈥 said Dr. Whitfield in his remarks to the Board of Regents following his appointment. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to make sure you see the kind of stewardship and momentum-building that you鈥檝e seen from Marta Meana, and I鈥檒l continue to lead this university to greatness.鈥
Dr. Whitfield was one of four finalists who interviewed with 51吃瓜黑料 students, faculty, employees, and community members since Monday. The ad hoc 51吃瓜黑料 President Search Committee, made up of 29 members, including members of the Board of Regents, 51吃瓜黑料 faculty, classified staff, students, and community stakeholders, recommended Dr. Whitfield for the job on Wednesday.
鈥淒r. Whitfield is committed to and understands 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 mission as a research institution and its relationship to Las Vegas and Nevada,鈥 said Board of Regents Chair Mark Doubrava. 鈥淗is breadth of experience shows he has excellent management skills and is admired by students and faculty alike.鈥
The search committee used in-person interviews and live-stream technology to ensure an inclusive and transparent search process, while conducting the search in consideration for the health and well-being of all those involved.
鈥淚 want to thank everyone involved in the search, especially 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 students, faculty, staff and community members who participated in-person and virtually,鈥 said Regent Trevor Hayes, who chaired the ad hoc 51吃瓜黑料 President Search Committee. 鈥淐hancellor Reilly and the hiring firm, Wheless Search and Consulting, gave us four outstanding candidates to choose from, and I believe the committee made an excellent decision in recommending Dr. Whitfield to be 51吃瓜黑料鈥檚 next president.鈥
The son of a U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, Whitfield received a bachelor鈥檚 in psychology from the College of Santa Fe and master鈥檚 and Ph.D. degrees in life span Developmental Psychology from Texas Tech University and did post-doctoral work in quantitative genetics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
