James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 35
IN THE BUSTLING HEART of
Downtown Atlanta, Georgia State University (GSU) is a beacon of innovation
in higher education. It’s emerging as
an influential public research university, and it’s not just a place for students
to earn a degree. It is a transformative
institution reshaping the landscape of
post-secondary education.
Founded in 1913, GSU began
as a small night school for business
students. Since then, it evolved into
a comprehensive research university
with over 54,000 students— up 1,900
students from fall 2023. Its growth is
not just in numbers but in prestige
and influence.
The university’s strategic expansion has seen the addition of numerous colleges and schools, including
the Andrew Young School of Policy
Studies, the J. Mack Robinson College
of Business, and the College of Law.
These offerings have enabled GSU to
cater to a broad spectrum of interests
and career goals, making it a hub for
students from all walks of life.
The president is M. Brian Blake,
a computer scientist and software
engineer who has been serving since
August 2021. Originally from Savannah, Blake says he has always felt that
people in his hometown pride themselves on being empathetic and hospitable— “and I’ve always tried hard to
hold myself to that standard.”
“Growing up, my family owned a
gas station, and I worked long hours.
I learned a lot about entrepreneurship
and having a strong work ethic— the
hallmarks of our university,” Blake
says. “And I’m 100 percent Georgia-made through and through,” he
adds. He earned his undergraduate
degree in electrical engineering at
Georgia Tech, and like many of his
students at GSU he worked through
college and then held jobs while earning a master’s and a doctorate.
“I really feel like I know the city,”
he assured this writer. “For three years,
I worked as a consultant for Lockheed
Martin. In that capacity you learn how
to receive criticism and learn how to
move forward— and how to find solutions. That experience served me well
as I moved into academia. My last two
previous positions were as provost and
executive vice president for two comprehensive, urban institutions— Drexel
and George Washington Universities—
so I understand the unique challenges
and opportunities at a large urban
institution like Georgia State.”
President
M. Brian Blake
JA N UA RY/ F E B RUARY 2025
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