Hamline U. selects dean from Vermont as its next president

Hamline University has named its 20th president: Fayneese Miller, the dean of the college of education and social services at the University of Vermont.

Miller, a social psychologist who has spent 30 years in academia, will be the first black president and second female president in Hamline's 161-year history, the university said in its announcement Tuesday. She will succeed Linda Hanson, who is retiring in June after 10 years.

Miller, who will take office in July, was the founding chair of ethnic studies at Brown University, where she was on the faculty for 20 years. While at Brown, she also was director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America.

Bob Klas Jr., the chair of Hamline's board of trustees, described Miller as a dynamic leader "with a strong commitment to diversity and deep experience in academic program development, fiscal management and fundraising."

Maura Lerner