Christopher L. Augostini, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer at Emory University, has been unanimously elected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the university’s 22nd president, according to a May 29 announcement. He will assume his duties on September 1.
The appointment concludes a national search led by the Presidential Selection Committee and supported by a national search firm. The committee organized over 40 listening sessions and gathered feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders before developing a presidential prospectus outlining expectations for Emory’s next leader.
Robert C. Goddard III, chair of the Emory University Board of Trustees, said, “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I want to express our enthusiasm and excitement about the appointment of Chris Augostini as president. Our search generated a significant number of highly qualified candidates, but Chris’s exceptional leadership skills, distinguished record of achievement as executive vice president and COO, along with his deep understanding of Emory’s culture and community, made it clear he is the right leader for Emory.”
Augostini said, “I’m extraordinarily honored and thrilled to be named Emory’s next president. As I look across the higher education landscape, I believe Emory is positioned better than any other university to meet our current challenges and opportunities. I look forward to beginning this new chapter in partnership with faculty, the board, students, staff, and the entire Emory community.”
Interim President Leah Ward Sears said she has worked closely with Augostini over the past year: “I got to know Chris through my service on the Board of Trustees and have long admired his professionalism… I have absolute confidence he will be an exceptional president.” Over nine years at Emory in senior roles including system-wide chief operating officer overseeing all enterprise functions for one of Georgia’s largest organizations—and previously serving for 17 years at Georgetown University—Augostini brings extensive experience in academic administration.
Provost Badia Ahad said, “Chris has a strong belief in the transformative power of higher education… He believes… that Emory has something distinctive and powerful to offer the world.” Adam Rogers described Augostini as “a listener with a strong bias for action,” while Hashem Dezhbakhsh highlighted his commitment “to sustained engagement with faculty, staff and students.” Goddard also thanked interim President Sears for her leadership during what he called volatile times.
