Dr. Robert L. Manuel of Georgetown University has been selected ...

April 9, 2012
Georgetown administratorr to become UIndy’ss ninth president
After an extensive national search, Georgetown University Associate
Provost and Dean Robert
L. Manuel has been selected to serve as the ninth president of the University of Indianapolis,
effective in July. He will succeed
Beverley J. Pitts, who is retiring after seven years at the helm
of the 5,500-student private university four miles south of downtown.
In announcing the selection, Board of Trustees Chair
Robert Wingerter said, “I’m very excited that Rob has
accepted our offer. He is extremely intelligent and
reflective. He has a very clear vision for higher education
and he has the ability to turn vision into action. He willl be
transformational for UIndy.”
Trusteee Deborah J. Daniels, who chaired the search
committee, described Manuel as “student-focused while
understanding the importance of reaching out to external
constituencies. He has a vision for helping us move forward
in a very entrepreneurial way.”
Manuel
has gained international recognition during his
20
years in
higher education for his development and
implementation of innovative academic programming in
graduate, undergraduate, online
and customized education,
both at Georgetownn and, prior to that, at New York
University. Since arriving at Georgetown in January 2006
as dean of the School of Continuing Studies, he has reorganized and rebranded the school—
streamlining operations, creating
new degreee and certificate programs, and increasing
enrollments in all programs by more than 2000 percent. He also created the Georgetown Global
Education Institute for leaders from around the world, offering customized education in areas of
innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, urban planning and fiscal policy. The Institute has raised
more than $6 million
in corporate
sponsorships.
Continuing Studies is
one of eight degree-granting entities at Georgetown. It enrolls roughly
6,300 students, employs 350 faculty and 85 administrativ
ve staff, and generates more than $40
million in
revenue annually. Manuel's emphasis on connecting the academic environment with
corporate, non-profit
and government organizations has been a driving force behind the school’s
growth and success, and makes him an especially good fit for his new
institution. UIndy has been
very successful in forging alliances that advance its mission while addressing needs within the
public and private sector.

In his other capacity as associate provost at Georgetown, Manuel works with the leadership
of the university’s Center for Social Justice, Research and Teaching; Diversity Action
Council; and the senior vice president for research/chief technical officer. He is a member
of the Main Campus Planning Committee, the Dean’s Council and the University Campaign
Council.
Manuel sits on the editorial advisory board for the Continuing Higher Education Review. He
is the 2012‐13 chair of the national conference for the University Professional & Continuing
Education Association, and was just appointed to a two‐year term on the UPCEA national
advisory board.
Before arriving at Georgetown, Manuel served in the office of the Vice President for
Enrollment Services at NYU, and also held the positions of chief information officer,
assistant dean and clinical associate professor at NYU's School of Continuing and
Professional Studies.
“UIndy has grown remarkably in academic quality, programs, enrollments and impact
under the leadership of Beverley Pitts and her predecessors,” Manuel said. “I am honored
to join the UIndy community, and excited to work with the faculty, students and staff to
address the challenges of our day. In the face of shrinking job markets and rising costs,
higher education today is under intense pressure to define its relevance. Because of the
groundwork that has already been laid, I believe UIndy is well positioned to lead the higher
education community as we demonstrate our value to the larger society.”
Manuel received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Allegheny College,
a master’s degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University, and a
doctorate in higher education administration from NYU. He and his wife, Wilmara, have
three daughters, Sophia, 11; Alexandra, 8; and Margaux, 5.
About the University of Indianapolis
The University of Indianapolis is a private, comprehensive university dedicated to its motto of
“Education for Service” and the city whose name it shares. UIndy’s undergraduate, master’s and
doctoral programs include widely respected offerings in healthcare, education, business,
communication, and the arts and sciences. Drawing students from around the globe, the
university is the state’s fifth largest producer of doctoral degrees, and prepares more physical
therapists, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists than any other institution in the
state.
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This information was provided by the University of Indianapolis media
relations office.
Phone: (317) 788-3298
http://news.uindy.edu