First Indian-Origin Woman Professor To Be President Of This Prestigious US University

New York: Neeli Bendapudi of Indian origin has scripted history by becoming the first woman and person of colour to be the president of America’s prestigious Pennsylvania State University, the institution declared on Thursday.

Born in Visakhapatnam, Bendapudi came to the US in 1986 for higher studies and is currently serving as the president and marketing professor at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

According to the statement from Pennsylvania State University on its website, she has been unanimously named Penn State’s next president by the Penn State Board of Trustees on Thursday, December 9.

“When she begins her appointment as Penn State’s 19th president in spring 2022, she will make history as the first woman and person of colour to serve as the University’s president, the statement said.

Bendapudi, who specialises in marketing and consumer behaviour, is the 18th president of the University of Louisville and is a recognised leader in higher education.

“Penn State is a world-class university, and I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to join this vibrant community of outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the commonwealth and beyond,” Bendapudi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

“Thank you to the Penn State community and Board of Trustees. I am grateful for this opportunity and will make it my mission to help Penn State reach new heights across each of our campuses,” she said.

Bendapudi will take over from president Eric J Barron, who will retire after serving Penn State for more than 30 years.

“We are proud to welcome Dr Bendapudi to Penn State. She is a dynamic and innovative leader who has dedicated nearly her entire professional life to higher education and is prepared to help our University advance in the ways we support students, create new knowledge and serve society,” chair of the Board of Trustees, Matt Schuyler said.

“I want to extend my appreciation on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees to the many Penn State community members who participated in this selection process. Your engagement served as a critical framework throughout the search and has helped lead us to this exciting new chapter in Penn State’s history,” added the chair of the Board of Trustees.

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