The Academic Leadership Institute was founded by a group of highly experienced academic leaders who recognized a need in higher education to better prepare and connect rising leaders. Read more about our team below.
Earl Lewis, Ph.D.
ALI Co-Founder
Noted social historian, award-winning author, and educational leader, Earl Lewis, is the founding director of the University of Michigan Center for Social Solutions, as well as the Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and public policy. Lewis is president emeritus of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2013-18), former Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and provost at Emory University, and former Vice Provost and Dean of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan.
Currently
- Director, Center for Social Solutions, University of Michigan
- Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor, University of Michigan
Previously
- President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
- Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; Provost, Emory University
- Vice Provost; Dean, Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan
Dwight A. McBride, Ph.D.
ALI Co-Founder
With nearly three decades in higher education, Dwight A. McBride is an experienced leader and accomplished educator and author. Throughout his career, Dr. McBride has encouraged innovation in scholarship and teaching, launched initiatives to build interdisciplinary strength around global challenges, created environments that foster inclusive excellence, and expanded opportunities for experiential learning. Prior to his appointment at Washington University, Dr. McBride was the President at The New School, where he was also a University Professor.
Currently
- Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Equity (CRE2)
- Senior Advisor to the Chancellor
- Gerald Early Distinguished Professor of African American Studies, Washington University in St. Louis
Previously
- President and University Professor, The New School
- Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Emory University
- Asa Griggs Candler Professor of African American Studies, Distinguished Affiliated Professor of English, Emory University
- Dean; Associate Provost for Graduate Education; Daniel Hale Williams Professor of African American Studies, English, and Performance Studies, Northwestern University
- Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago
Dalia F. Petrus
Program Coordinator
Dalia F. Petrus is a seasoned higher education professional with tenure within the University of Michigan system where she has served for over 2 decades in roles centering on DEI advocacy in academic and instructional affairs. Dalia has served as ALI’s Program Coordinator at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor since 2019. In this role, Dalia leads and manages ALI’s strategic planning, communication, cohort, faculty, and curriculum planning and other initiatives.
Elizabeth K. Brasher
Program Coordinator
With over 16 years of experience in higher education administration, Elizabeth K. Brasher has served in executive support leadership positions at Northwestern University, Emory University, and is currently the Senior Director of Operations for the Office of the President at The New School. Elizabeth has served as ALI’s Planning Co-Lead since its inception in 2017, leading strategic planning, administration, and special projects and initiatives.
Charlene Dukes
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President Emeritus, Prince Georges Community College
Carol Henderson
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, and Advisor to the President, Emory University
Jonathan Holloway
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Erika James
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- Dean, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- Chancellor, City University of New York
Mariko Silver
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Beverly Daniel Tatum
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President Emeritus, Spelman College; Mount Holyoke College
Ben Vinson III
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President, Howard University
Lynn Perry Wooten
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- President, Simmons University
Alford Young Jr.
ALI Advisory Board
Institution
- Associate Director, Center for Social Solutions
