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Minerva University Welcomes Patrice McMahon as New Provost

In a striking move aimed at further enhancing its innovative educational model, Minerva University has appointed Dr. Patrice McMahon as its new provost, effective July 1. This decision was announced by President Mike Magee on March 28, 2025, marking a new chapter for the institution renowned for its unique approach to higher education.

Dr. McMahon, currently serving as an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Warsaw, Poland, has built an impressive career in academia, particularly in the field of International Relations. Before her time in Poland, she was a prominent figure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where she directed the Honors Program from 2018 to 2024, earning recognition for her dedication to student engagement and scholarly excellence.

Her academic accolades include being a two-time Fulbright award recipient and earning numerous teaching awards at UNL, emphasizing her commitment to high-quality education. Among her notable publications is Activism in Hard Times in Central and Eastern Europe, demonstrating her collaborative approach between activists and academics across multiple nations. Additionally, her works, such as The NGO Game: Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in the Balkans and Beyond and American Exceptionalism Reconsidered, co-authored with David Forsythe, reflect her in-depth understanding of American foreign policy and its global impacts.

Dr. McMahon's current project, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, focuses on exploring Polish humanitarianism towards Ukrainian refugees. This work aligns with Minerva’s ethos of addressing global challenges through education and collaboration.

In his remarks, President Magee emphasized Dr. McMahon's alignment with the university's mission, stating, “She understands why Minerva University's innovations are so crucial—both to our students and to the landscape of global higher education.” Magee poised confidence in her leadership skills and her shared vision to cultivate an environment where aspiring leaders can thrive amidst global uncertainties.

The university's academic committee, chaired by Bertil Andersson, a seasoned leader and former President of Nanyang Technological University, echoed similar sentiments. Andersson underscored McMahon's exceptional academic background and innovative mindset, which make her well-suited to lead Minerva at this pivotal moment.

As a proud parent of a Minerva graduate, Dr. McMahon expressed her long-standing admiration for the institution. “With 26 years in higher education, I have witnessed firsthand how Minerva has established itself as the world’s most innovative university. The faculty’s unwavering dedication to student learning is unparalleled,” she stated, highlighting the university's unique collaborative teaching methodology.

Under her leadership, Minerva seeks to continue its trajectory of transformation in education by embracing an interdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach. Dr. McMahon’s vision aligns with the institution's recognition as the top university in innovation for three consecutive years, offering a cutting-edge curriculum and project-based experiential learning across several global campuses.

Minerva University, based in San Francisco, California, has earned a reputation as a leader in progressive education, fostering critical thinkers and global citizens ready to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. As Minerva embarks on this new journey with Dr. McMahon at the helm, the education community watches with eager anticipation to see how her leadership will unfold.

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