M. Brian Blake

M. Brian Blake (born 1971) is an American computer scientist/software engineer and the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at George Washington University. He was previously the executive vice president of academic affairs and the Nina Henderson Provost at Drexel University; the dean of the graduate school and vice provost for academic affairs at the University of Miami; an associate dean for research and professor at the College of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame; and department chair and professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University.

M. Brian Blake
M. Brian Blake
NationalityAmerican
Alma materGeorge Mason University
Mercer University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Scientific career
FieldsInternet Computing
InstitutionsDrexel University
University of Miami
University of Notre Dame
Georgetown University
Doctoral advisorHassan Gomaa

Blake was named as the most promising scientist in 2003 by Career Communications [1] and recognized as a Top 10 Emerging Scholar in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.[2] His research has received more than $10 million in funding, and he is an author of more than 160 scholarly publications.[3] He is an ACM Distinguished Scientist and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society.[4] Blake has also been a strong advocate for increasing diversity in the study of computer science and other STEM disciplines.[5]

Early life

M. Brian Blake was born in Savannah, Georgia, and graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1989 and Georgia Institute of Technology in 1994.[6] He spent six years working as a software architect, technical lead and expert developer with General Electric, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and The MITRE Corporation.[3] While employed by Lockheed Martin, Blake earned his master's degree in electrical engineering from Mercer University and his doctoral degree from George Mason University.[7]

Georgetown University

In 1999, Blake became an adjunct professor in Georgetown University's Department of Computer Science. He was promoted to associate professor in 2005,[6] becoming the youngest tenured African-American computer science professor in the nation.[2] Blake was named chair of the Department of Computer Science in 2007.[6] He was also director of graduate studies as the department launched its first graduate program, and ran a research group in Web-based systems that undertook more than $6 million in sponsored research.[8]

University of Notre Dame

Blake joined the University of Notre Dame in 2009 as professor of computer science and engineering and associate dean of engineering for research and graduate studies.[6] His role included faculty development, student recruitment and diversity strategies, and working with corporate and foundation partners.[9]

University of Miami

In July 2012, Blake was named vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Miami. He was responsible for research on the university's Coral Gables campus, and worked with the deans of Miami's schools and colleges and the Faculty Senate on efforts to diversify the university's faculty. He oversaw graduate programs serving more than 5,200 students across 11 schools and colleges as dean of the Graduate School.[3]

Drexel University

Blake became the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Drexel University on August 1, 2015.[10] He serves as the chief academic officer of Drexel with responsibility for all academic functions. The Office of the Provost oversees every academic program and supports academic and administrative offices.[3] Under Blake's academic oversight, Drexel has had its largest, most academically gifted freshman class, the University's highest retention rate,[11] the highest overall research activity in history [12] leading to the University's first-ever Carnegie Classification as a R1 Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity [13] as well as a significant increase in the enrollment of professional master students. During his first 4 years, he had overseen the hire of 10 Deans and over 75 faculty while significantly increasing the diversity of administrative offices. Blake's leadership of academic space planning has led to new facilities for the College of Computing and Informatics and the School of Education. Blake oversaw the creation of several contemporary centers, including the Fabric Discovery Center,[14][15][16] the Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science (WELL) Center,[17] and the University's new Teaching and Learning Center.  In 2017, Blake was named the Nina Henderson Provost [18] which recognizes and enables his central programs that enhance interdisciplinary initiatives across the institution. He has conceived innovative interdisciplinary programs such as Drexel Areas of Research Excellence (DARE) [19][20] and Market-Driven Academic Program Ventures (MPV) [21] which have helped enhance research and graduate education, respectively.  He has also overseen the creation of the Drexel Business Solutions Institute [22] and the Experiential Edge program [23] which both have extended Drexel's mission for experiential learning.

George Washington University

On November 1, 2019, Blake joined George Washington University as its provost and executive Vice President for academic affairs.[24]

Personal life

Blake is married to Bridget Blake, a mechanical engineer, and they have two sons, Brendan and Bryce.[6]

References
  1. "Most Promising Engineer- M. Brian Blake". Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  2. "Blake as Top 10 Emerging Scholar". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  3. "About the Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs - Office of the Provost". Office of the Provost. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  4. "Blake recognized for contributions to computer science and technology // News // Notre Dame News // University of Notre Dame". news.nd.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  5. "Black Computer Scientists in Academe: an Endangered Species?". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  6. "M. Brian Blake | The HistoryMakers". www.thehistorymakers.com. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  7. "Humble Beginnings, Knack For Science Motivate University Of Miami Vice Provost". Diverse. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  8. "After nine years at Georgetown, M. Brian Blake, PhD, is moving on in his career, but he leaves behind an enduring legacy with the MPS in Technology Management program | News Archive | Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies". scs.georgetown.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  9. "Blake named associate dean for strategic initiatives in College of Engineering // News // Notre Dame News // University of Notre Dame". news.nd.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  10. "Vice provost Brian Blake to leave for Drexel University". The Miami Hurricane. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  11. "Tuition was rising, appeal was falling. Here's how Drexel University is stopping the slide". The Inquirer. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  12. "Drexel Research Enterprise Achieves National Recognition". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  13. "'Professional practice' doctoral category expands Carnegie system". www.insidehighered.com. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  14. reporter, Roberto Torres / (2017-11-15). "Why Drexel is setting up a smart-fabric manufacturing and research center". Technical.ly Philly. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  15. "Drexel Brings National Network for Advanced Functional Fabrics Manufacturing to Philadelphia". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  16. "Drexel leads textile manufacturing innovation in $317M DoD initiative". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  17. "Drexel launches outpatient clinic for eating disorders, weight management". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  18. "Drexel Trustee and Alumna Nina Henderson Endows Provost Position". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  19. "Lights, Camera, DARE: New Video Series Celebrates Drexel’s Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  20. "Neuroinflammation and gender studied in DARE program - The Triangle". The Triangle. 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  21. "New Master’s Programs Carve Their Place in the Market". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  22. "University-Level Business Solutions Institute Launched". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  23. "Drexel Unveils Experiential Edge Winter Enrollment Program". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  24. "New Provost Selected". gwtoday.gwu.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.