Biography: President Brian C. Mitchell

Brian C. Mitchell was named Bucknell University’s 16th president in July 2004.

Prior to joining Bucknell, Mitchell served as president of Washington & Jefferson College (1998-2004) and president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (1995-1998).

A full member of Bucknell’s Board of Trustees, Mitchell has been widely quoted in the national media, including National Public Radio, The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. His extensive knowledge of private higher education issues is underscored by a demonstrated leadership in working within and outside the university community. A champion of a liberal arts education, Mitchell has committed his career to ensuring an outstanding education at schools like Bucknell.

In his first year, Mitchell focused on connecting with students, faculty, and staff and learning more about Bucknell’s unique educational environment. In spring 2005, he launched a broadly participative strategic planning process designed to enhance Bucknell’s already strong reputation. The process has engaged the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni in discussions about Bucknell’s future. Outlining five strategic themes in his April 2005 Inaugural Address, Mitchell laid the groundwork for the drafting of The Plan for Bucknell, a strategic plan that is aspirational, challenging, motivating, and attainable. The strategic themes that will direct Bucknell’s efforts in the coming years are: The Academic Core, The Residential Learning Environment, Diversity, Financial Strength, and Building Bridges. The Plan for Bucknell will also include sharpened mission and vision statements.

Mitchell received his Ph.D from the University of Rochester. The recipient of numerous academic awards, he has received grants from the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

A specialist in 19th-century urban, ethnic and labor history, Mitchell is author of The Paddy Camps: The Irish of Lowell, 1821-1861 (University of Illinois Press, 1988), a critically acclaimed work scheduled for spring 2006 release in paperback.

In addition to extensive teaching experience at colleges and universities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Virginia, Mitchell was a program officer in the Division of State Programs of the National Endowment for the Humanities before becoming president of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania in 1991.

Mitchell serves as immediate past chair of the Pennsylvania Selection Committee for the Rhodes Scholarships, a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and secretary-treasurer and board member of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.

A past chair of the National Association of Independent College and University State Executives, he also has served on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, and National History Day.

He is married to Maryjane (Murphy) Mitchell. They have two sons.