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Dr Robert Blaine III announced as University’s new president

Dr Robert Blaine III

Dr Robert Blaine III

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS  

Tribune Staff Reporter  

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net  

AFTER a nine-month process, the University of The Bahamas has announced the appointment of Dr Robert Blaine III as its fourth president and 13th overall leader.

During a press conference yesterday UB’s Board of Trustees Chair, Allyson Maynard-Gibson, provided an update on the search, which began in June 2024 with the establishment of the 10-member Presidential Search Committee.

The committee was responsible for defining the qualifications for the role, creating a timeline, and conducting a national and international search with the assistance of AGB Search to attract highly qualified candidates. A Presidential Profile was developed to guide the process, and listening sessions were held with UB stakeholders and the wider public, including in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands. 

Ms Maynard-Gibson stated that over 90 candidates responded to the Presidential Profile. After thorough review and multiple assessments, the pool was narrowed to three finalists, who met with university constituents and participated in open forums. 

She expressed confidence in the selection process and the decision to appoint Dr Blaine, noting that he was the most suitable candidate for the role.

“Following careful review and multiple rounds of assessment, the pool of applicants was eventually narrowed to three finalists. Each met and engaged with our university constituents, who not only questioned them extensively, but submitted their feedback on suitability for the leadership role. Today, we are pleased to announce that the new president of UB effective the first of July 2025 is Dr Robert Blaine, the third,” Ms Maynard-Gibson said.

Dr Blaine holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, a Master of Music degree from The Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University. His experience includes serving as Senior Executive and Director of the Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development at the National League of Cities, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and various academic leadership roles at Jackson State University and Tougaloo College.

Dr Blaine’s contract is for three years. Ms Maynard-Gibson emphasized the inclusivity of the search process, which involved input from stakeholders worldwide, including Bahamians abroad. 

She noted that all three finalists were highly qualified, including a Bahamian candidate, but ultimately, Dr Blaine was deemed the best fit for UB’s needs. 

“The process was very inclusive,” she said yesterday. 

“We’re very happy to recognize that the finalists were all highly qualified people and as you well know, that finalist also included a Bahamian.  At the end of the day, the board and the search committee with and also those who gave feedback Felt that the candidate chosen, Dr Blaine, was best suited of the qualified candidates to carry out the mandates that were stipulated in the presidential profile.” 

The other two finalists were Dr Maria E Woodside-Oriakhi, a UB alumna with over 25 years of academic experience, and Dr Leroy Hamilton Jr, who has more than 30 years of experience in higher education.

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