Melissa Gilliam Breaks Barriers as OSU’s First Black Provost
The remarkable academic Melissa L. Gilliam etched her name into the history books by becoming the first Black person appointed as executive vice president and provost at The Ohio State University.
Her groundbreaking role marked a significant milestone for diversity and representation in higher education leadership.
A Visionary Academic Plan
As OSU’s chief academic officer, Gilliam spearheaded the launch of the university’s transformative Academic Plan in 2022.
This comprehensive framework aimed to elevate academic excellence, enhance student success, and foster an inclusive environment across all campuses.
“Serving as president of Boston University is a tremendous opportunity for Dr. Gilliam to continue to contribute to the lives of students and their families through higher education. We wish her the very best.” – Peter Mohler, Acting President, The Ohio State University
Championing Faculty Excellence
Under Gilliam’s leadership, OSU established new support structures to bolster faculty recruitment, development, and recognition.
Initiatives like the Provost’s Early Career Scholars Program and the Scarlet and Gray Associate Professors Program demonstrated her commitment to nurturing talent at every career stage.
Driving Student Success
Gilliam’s tenure at OSU was marked by a strong emphasis on student retention and graduation rates. She developed a comprehensive action plan to accelerate growth in these crucial areas, ensuring that more students could achieve their academic goals.
Although Gilliam’s time at The Ohio State University was relatively brief, her impact was profound.
