Ross Gittell, Ph.D., is the ninth president of Bryant University. Under his leadership, the university continues to ascend in rankings, affirming the superior return on investment of a Bryant education and positioning the institution to better navigate the ever-changing higher education landscape. Drawing on his expertise in strategic management and as an economist and economic development scholar, President Gittell has guided Bryant through the creation and implementation of its strategic plan, Vision 2030. President Gittell joined the Bryant community after nearly a decade as Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, a seven-college system with 26,000 students.
President Gittell began his tenure in July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Determined to keep the campus open and operating as normally as possible, Gittell’s first challenge as president was to figure out how to reopen the campus that fall while ensuring the health and safety of Bryant’s students, faculty, and staff. As a result of strong leadership, shared commitment from the community, and creative problem-solving, Bryant University was one of only a few higher education institutions to remain open with uninterrupted in-person classes.
His academic and professional perspectives were formed at an early age by his parents, Irwin and Marilyn Gittell. NYC scholar-activist and City University of New York Graduate Center Professor Marilyn Gittell was strongly committed to racial, gender, and educational justice, and especially known for her dedication to public school reform and community engagement. Irwin Gittell had an independent CPA practice in NYC serving many small businesses and entrepreneurs, including minority and female start-ups.
Highly regarded for his economic analysis and forecasting, President Gittell is extensively published and has frequently served as an expert resource for government, nonprofit, and business leaders. His broad experience in teaching, strategic planning, and management has guided his academic focus — applying economic, organizational, and management theory to regional, state, and community economic development issues.
President Gittell holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University, Dively Fellow; a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Beta Gamma Sigma; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago, Phi Beta Kappa.
