Getting to know President McInnis

Maurie McInnis’s academic career began as a graduate student at Yale in the Department of the History of Art. Since earning her Ph.D. from Yale in 1996, she has held teaching, research, and leadership roles and served in a series of senior positions at universities across the country. Most recently, she was the president of Stony Brook University. Over the years, she also has volunteered her time and expertise to benefit Yale.

President McInnis is spending her first few weeks as Yale’s twenty-fourth president getting to know the people who make Yale tick.

What inspired you to pursue a career in academia, and later, the role of Yale’s president?

I am a fourth-generation educator. My great-grandparents ran a two-room schoolhouse in Florida in an area that had little access to education at the time. From there, three generations of my family continued to answer the call of education.

My parents were my main influences growing up. I am an only child, and from a young age my parents encouraged my curiosity. They were faculty members at the University of Tennessee — they both taught in the College of Education, and my mother also taught in the College of Human Ecology. My parents imparted on me a love of teaching and research and an appreciation for the transformative power of higher education. My father was the faculty liaison for athletics, which also gave me a great appreciation for the experience of student athletes. I am deeply committed to the work of educators and how teaching and learning can enhance lives and improve society.

What are you doing in your initial weeks as Yale’s president?

I am concentrating on getting to know the members of our university. This builds on all the great feedback the Presidential Search Committee received from the community. Hearing from staff directly will help me better understand staff’s work advancing Yale’s mission along with their hopes and aspirations for the future.

So far, I have spoken with staff, students, faculty, and alumni, and I try to meet them where they work and study whenever possible. I have visited the Art Gallery and the newly reopened Peabody, and I have spent time on West Campus, Science Hill, and the Lower Hillhouse project area. It’s amazing to see first-hand the projects underway and imagine the teaching, work, and research that will be done when the spaces are finished.

I have met with Mayor Justin Elicker and connected with the Board of Alders. I lived in New Haven during my time as a student, and I know how important Yale’s relationship is with the City of New Haven.

And of course, there was one member of staff I was particularly excited about meeting. With a firm paw-shake, Handsome Dan welcomed me back to campus. I think we’re going to be buddies, and my dog Angus, approves.

How do you envision building strong relationships and creating connections with staff across the various departments within the university?

I am looking forward to joining staff meetings in the coming months, attending events that have staff participation, and meeting with union leaders. My first few weeks have been filled with meeting members of the Yale community, and that work will continue through the fall.

I am eager to celebrate staff achievements in November at my first reception for the Linda Lorimer Award for Distinguished Service, and I hope to find other opportunities to honor the work of staff.

How do you intend to balance the priorities of staff with the broader goals and objectives of the university?

The priorities of staff are vital to Yale’s mission and the university initiatives and strategy. These factors are all aligned and part of Yale’s vibrant environment. In my first days as Yale’s president, I’ve seen firsthand how Yale’s exceptional staff — from grounds and facilities to strategic research operations — has enabled the progress made on Science Hill, the Humanities Quadrangle, and other areas. I will take the time to listen to staff in my first months to learn about their work and goals, and to focus on sustaining a thriving, respectful workplace.