Plymouth State University (PSU) has named Nathaniel Bowditch, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, following a national search. Bowditch previously served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Long Island University, Post. He will join PSU in July.

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth State University (PSU) has named Nathaniel (Nate) Bowditch, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs. After an extensive nationwide search, a committee comprising PSU faculty, staff members and students selected Bowditch, who arrives from Long Island University, Post (LIU Post) where he served as dean of the LIU Post College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of philosophy.

Bowditch is a respected academic with a distinguished track record as both a professor and an administrator. Prior to his time at LIU Post, he served as dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science at the American University in Cairo. Bowditch spent more than a decade in Egypt, where, among other important contributions, he secured funding for the first American Psychological Association-recognized psychology graduate program in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region, as well as acting as the primary investigator on research grants from organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Mellon Foundation. His love of teaching kept him in the classroom as dean, leading courses on free will, modern philosophy, and the philosophy of David Hume. He also co-taught courses on computer science ethics and scientific thinking. He received the Provost’s Service Award and the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award during his tenure at the American University in Cairo.

“Welcoming Nate to our campus after an extensive search is an important step for our university as we continue to reshape the way we approach education with our unique Cluster Learning Model,” said Donald L. Birx, Ph.D., president, Plymouth State University. “Nate will take the lead in moving our model forward as we navigate the changing landscape of post-secondary education. He possesses a depth of experience and knowledge in dealing with many of the issues that are commonplace in higher education today. We look forward to welcoming Nate to New Hampshire and into the PSU community.”

“This is such an exciting time to be a part of Plymouth State, a university engaged in what I think is the most creative and powerful approach to higher education today – the Cluster Learning Model. I’m thrilled to be joining an accomplished and dedicated faculty and working with them to move the university and its student-focused mission forward,” said Bowditch. “With President Birx’s vision guiding an impressive leadership team, I am confident that Plymouth State will continue to break new ground and serve as a source of inspiration and opportunity for our students, our community, New Hampshire and beyond.”

Bowditch will assume his role on July 1, 2022.

Ann McClellan, Ph.D., has served as the University’s interim provost and vice president of academic affairs for the past two years. She will resume her role as a member of the English faculty for the upcoming academic year.

“I want to acknowledge and thank Ann for ably carrying-out the role of interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at one of the most challenging times in recent history, and for leading PSU through the ongoing pandemic,” said Birx. “Ann was a vital member of our COVID-19 Rapid Response Team and was instrumental in our successful pivot to remote instruction in March 2020. She has continuously worked to move our Cluster Model forward, setting us up for future success, and her work launching the new Center for Diversity, Equity and Social Justice will serve our community for years to come.”

Bowditch holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University.

To learn more about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.

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