Arcadia Welcomes Incoming President Dr. Ajay Nair

The College of Global Studies is excited to share the news that Arcadia University has appointed Ajay Nair, PhD., as the University’s 22^nd President. A nationally recognized expert in student affairs issues and an accomplished scholar of race and ethnicity, Dr. Nair assumes his role at Arcadia on April 2, 2018.

Dr. Nair comes to Arcadia from Emory University, where, since 2012, he has served as senior vice president and dean of Campus Life. He led nearly 1,400 employees and provided strategic financial oversight of an annual budget of more than $75 million. Dr. Nair, who also held a faculty appointment in the Department of Sociology, oversaw a wide variety of departments including: International Student Programs; the Office of Racial and Cultural Engagement; the Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Belonging and Community Justice; the Career Center and Student Health. 

Prior to his work at Emory, Dr. Nair held executive leadership positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and the University of Virginia. There, he led offices and services charged with supporting the intellectual, social, personal and professional development of students. In his distinguished career in higher education, Dr. Nair has held faculty positions at each of the aforementioned universities as well as the World Language Institute in Kwangju, South Korea.

A native of the Philadelphia region, Dr. Nair earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Science from the Pennsylvania State University.

The College is delighted to welcome Dr. Nair and his family to Arcadia and to have a president of such creative vision, energetic leadership and drive. He demonstrates a distinct understanding of the complex issues currently facing higher education. We look forward to the many ways in which he will help shape and drive our ability to offer innovative and inspirational education programs for all our constituents around the world.