Three Finalists Selected for Position of University of The Bahamas’ Next President

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As University of The Bahamas (UB) continues its remarkable growth in its 50th Jubilee era, the Board of Trustees (BOT) is pleased to announce a crucial milestone in the search for the next President of UB. 

After an extensive national and international recruitment phase – one that was marked by robust outreach and a rigorous evaluation of candidates – three finalists have emerged for this transformative leadership position. They are:

• Maria E. Woodside-Oriakhi, PhD. A UB alumna, Dr. Woodside-Oriakhi has over 25 years of experience in academia, with expertise in advancing quality imperatives, fostering global partnerships and overseeing academic preparation for SACSCOC accreditation.
• Robert J. Blaine, III, PhD. Dr. Blaine has extensive leadership experience in academia, including SACSCOC accreditation and fundraising. He presently serves as Senior Executive & Director of the Centre for LEAD and the Centre for Municipal Practice, National League of Cities, where he played a pivotal role in strategic planning and economic development.
• Leroy Hamilton, Jr., EdD. With over 30 years of combined progressive experience in higher education, Dr. Hamilton has successfully navigated community college and university environments, including serving as a SACSCOC accreditation liaison and securing significant grant funding. 

The selection of these finalists represents months of dedicated effort by the nine-member Presidential Search Committee (PSC), supported by AGB Search, a renowned executive search consulting firm. The PSC has thoroughly evaluated over 90 candidates who responded to the Presidential Profile outlining the strategic vision for the university as well as the expectations, priorities and opportunities for leadership.

The next exciting phase of the search process will involve each of the finalists visiting UB’s Oakes Field Campus, on separate occasions, to engage directly with key stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and representatives from the wider community and business sectors. Each finalist will also meet with the Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training and her team.

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide invaluable feedback to inform the Board of Trustees’ final decision. The Curriculum Vitae of the candidates and details on opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be announced shortly and will be posted to the Presidential Search website.

UB, as the national tertiary institution, is an important catalyst for national development. The president plays a vital role in steering the University’s transformative agenda and assuring that UB and its graduates meet national demands while preparing students for their role in rapidly changing global society.