photo by: Baker University

Jody Fournier

Baker University on Tuesday announced that its next leader is a university administrator from Columbus, Ohio.

Jody Fournier will become the 31st president of the Baldwin City university on July 1, Baker announced in a news release. Fournier comes from a 25-plus year career at Capital University in Columbus, where he most recently served as provost and vice president for the past eight years. This is the first president-title role of his career. Fournier’s “leadership platform” focuses on student retention, institutional partnerships, fiscal responsibility and developing new and innovative academic programming, the release said.

“I am deeply honored to join Baker University as its next president,” Fournier said. “Baker’s rich legacy, unwavering commitment to student success, and outstanding faculty and staff make this institution truly special. I look forward to building on its strong foundation, anchored in Baker’s United Methodist heritage, while embracing new opportunities, innovation, and collaboration to shape a bold and dynamic future.”

Fournier succeeds Hoot Gibson, who served as acting president since October, and Lynne Murray, who served as president of Baker for a decade, starting in July 2014. Baker also recently announced its new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Tina Hartley, and will announce its new dean of students next week, rounding out its executive leadership team.

Fournier obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Science degree in family relations and human development-child development from The Ohio State University. He also earned a doctorate in developmental psychology from The Ohio State University.