Dr. Benjamin Ola Akande (PhD)
The Champlain college board of trustees has announced a Nigerian, Dr Benjamin Ola Akande as the 9th president of the College.
According to Champlain College Board of Trustees Chair, Charles Kittredge, Akande is an agent of change and a visionary leader with a global perspective.
He further stated that, his enterprising mindset and commitment to student success will be essential as he leads Champlain College in an evolving higher education landscape.
He said the College look forward to welcoming Akande and supporting his work to advance the College’s strategic position and build on the strength of the institution’s distinctive academic offerings.
Akande is an accomplished economist and scholar educator, as well as a recognized civic and business leader, he currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Affairs–Africa, and the Associate Director of the Global Health Center at Washington University in St. Louis.
He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and served as a tenured Professor of Economics and Dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis from 2000-2015.
In his reaction, Akande said “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead Champlain College during this period of great transformation and even greater opportunity, While the challenges we currently face as global citizens are daunting, they also sharpen our focus and urge us both individually and as a community, to lead from wherever we are.”
“I look forward to taking this journey with you and thank you for the trust you have placed in me to further Champlain College’s mission together.”
It was gathered that Akande and his wife, Bola Taiwo-Akande, would relocate to Burlington, Vermont, USA where the college is located this summer. as he is to assume the role effective from July 1, 2020.