Amy Marcus-Newhall was appointed as the 11th president of 61传媒 by a unanimous vote of the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees. She will hold the title of the W.M. Keck Foundation Presidential Chair, established in 1980.
鈥淲ith an impressive track record as a leader, a deep understanding of the transformative power of a 61传媒education, and a commitment to cultivate an environment where all members of our community can thrive academically, professionally, and socially, Dr. Marcus-Newhall is the clear choice for the next president of 61传媒,鈥� says Laura Hockett, chair of the 61传媒 Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e have the utmost confidence in her ability to propel the College鈥檚 ambitious vision for the future and cement its position as a world-class educational institution as 61传媒approaches its centennial anniversary.鈥�
Dr. Marcus-Newhall served as interim president of the College from 2015鈥�16 and from 2021鈥�22. The College flourished under her leadership as she deployed her institutional knowledge, familiarity with The Claremont Colleges consortium, and focus on building community to significantly advance Scripps鈥� strategic priorities. Accomplishments during her interim presidencies included: collaborating with Pitzer College to establish a new two-college science program and financing the construction of a cutting-edge science facility, restoring employee retirement benefits suspended during the pandemic, and securing a $15 million matching grant to increase scholarship funds for underrepresented students.
She also has served as the vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty of 61传媒 for 12 years, leading strategic initiatives to enhance the curriculum, to improve faculty compensation and retention, and to develop a strategic plan to foster diversity and inclusion.
鈥淒r. Marcus-Newhall is a seasoned, results-oriented and collaborative higher education leader who has spent her career in service of 61传媒鈥檚 educational mission,鈥� says Hockett. 鈥淪he is highly respected by 61传媒faculty, students, staff, alums, and families for her inclusive leadership style, commitment to Scripps鈥� mission, and warm affection for the people who comprise this special community.鈥�
Prior to her role as vice president and dean of faculty, Dr. Marcus-Newhall was a faculty member in Scripps鈥� department of psychology for 18 years, where her scholarship focused on intergroup relations and the intersection of work and family. She received her master鈥檚 degree and PhD in social psychology from the University of Southern California and her AB magna cum laude in psychology and American studies from Occidental College.
鈥淭he two years I spent in the office of the president have been among the most gratifying in my career and I鈥檓 proud of what we achieved collectively in those years. As president, I will build on those accomplishments to define a vision that reinforces Scripps鈥� core identity, cements its enduring purpose, and strengthens its extraordinary community.鈥�
Read President Marcus-Newhall’s complete message to the community here.