Joan Gabel
19th Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh
Assumed office
July 17, 2023
Preceded byPatrick D. Gallagher
17th President of the University of Minnesota
In office
July 1, 2019 – June 9, 2023
Preceded byEric Kaler
Succeeded byJeff Ettinger (interim)
Personal details
BornNew York City, New York, U.S.
EducationHaverford College (BA)
University of Georgia (JD)

Joan T. A. Gabel is an American academic administrator who is the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as president of the University of Minnesota.[1][2]

Early life and education

Gabel was born in New York City and grew up in Atlanta.[3] At age 16, Gabel entered Haverford College,[4] where she earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy[5] in 1988.[6] She then worked in employee benefits for two years.[7] She earned a J.D. degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1993.[8]

Career

Early career

Gabel was briefly an associate attorney in Atlanta and served as editor-in-chief of the American Business Law Journal.[9] She was a professor of legal studies at Georgia State University from 1996 to 2007, then was a professor of business law and department chair at Florida State University from 2007 to 2010. From 2010 to 2015, Gabel was the dean of the college of business at the University of Missouri and became the provost of the University of South Carolina in 2015.[10]

University of Minnesota president

In December 2018, the University of Minnesota regents unanimously approved Gabel as president of the state's university system; she was selected from among 67 applicants. Gabel was the first woman to hold the office.[11][8]

During her first year as president, the University of Minnesota experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests.[12] During the COVID-19 crisis, the University of Minnesota shifted to online courses and instruction[12] Following the protests, Gabel announced that the university would reduce collaboration with the Minneapolis Police Department.[13] Gabel joined a lawsuit against the federal government aimed at overturning a ruling that could have deported some international students.[14]

As president of UMN, Gabel oversaw increases in the university's research, fundraising, and graduation rates, but was also dogged by criticism over compensation and business arrangements, especially in the later part of her tenure.[15] The University of Minnesota regents gave Gabel a second contract in December 2021, with a boosted compensation package; her base salary was $705,953, with significant other incentives.[15] Gabel defended her compensation as appropriate for the market and said it was lower than that of other Big Ten university presidents.[15]

In July 2022, the Board of Regents hired David McMillan, a retired utility executive, to serve as interim chancellor of UMN Duluth.[16] The selection of McMillan prompted criticism, because he was chair of the board of regents who had decided (on a 9-2 vote) to grant Gabel a second contract for five additional years as president, with the possibility of receiving up to $1.1 million in total compensation in 2023.[16][15] The process was criticized, including by former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson, who said he was "stunned" by the arrangement and suggested there was some form of quid pro quo at work.[16] Both McMillan and Gabel denied this, and Gabel said she was not involved in the decision to hire McMillan.[16][15]

In December 2022, Gabel joined the board of Securian Financial, a St. Paul–based financial services company; the University of Minnesota regents gave permission for Gabel to join Securian's board, approving a "conflict management plan" by a 9–3 vote.[17][18] Gabel's membership of the board came under scrutiny because Securian had contracts with the university,[18] including management of $1.3 billion in retirement plan assets for employees of the university.[18] After Governor Tim Walz, as well as state legislators and others, criticized the arrangement as a possible conflict of interest,[15] Gabel resigned from the Securian board in January 2023.[17][18]

University of Pittsburgh chancellor and CEO

In April 2023, it was announced that Gabel would leave the University of Minnesota to become the 19th chancellor and chief executive officer of the University of Pittsburgh.[15] She began her tenure as the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh on July 17, 2023.[19][20]

References

  1. ↑ "Joan T.A. Gabel appointed 17th University of Minnesota President". University Relations. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  2. ↑ Cox, Peter (18 December 2018). "Regents OK Gabel as first woman to lead University of Minnesota". www.mprnews.org. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  3. ↑ "People You Should Know: Joan T. A. Gabel". Columbia Business Times. 2012-02-03. Archived from the original on 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  4. ↑ Martinez, Michelle (Winter 2013). "Good for Business" (PDF). Haverford: 30–31.
  5. ↑ "Joan Gabel - Darla Moore School of Business | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  6. ↑ "Joan Gabel curriculum vitae". University of South Carolina.
  7. ↑ "Meet the provost: Joan T.A. Gabel". University of South Carolina. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  8. 1 2 Sabrowsky, Helen (December 9, 2018). "A look at Joan Gabel: The sole University presidential finalist". The Minnesota Daily. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  9. ↑ "About President Gabel". Office of the President. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "U of M Regents Approve Joan Gabel as New President". WDIO. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  11. ↑ Mila Koumpilova (December 18, 2018). "University of Minnesota regents choose Joan Gabel as school's first female president". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  12. 1 2 "In first year, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel leads school through health and social crises". Minneapolis Star Tribune. August 8, 2020.
  13. ↑ "UMN adjusts relationship with MPD following death of George Floyd". The Minnesota Daily. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  14. ↑ "University of Minnesota supports lawsuit challenging new ICE rule for international students". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Josh Verges, UMN President Joan Gabel to leave for Pittsburgh job after contentious fourth year, St. Paul Pioneer Press (April 4, 2023).
  16. 1 2 3 4 Joe Bowen, UMN regent denies conflict as he resigns to seek Duluth's interim chancellor job, Forum News Service via St. Paul Pioneer Press (June 20, 2023).
  17. 1 2 Josh Verges, Under fire, UMN President Gabel resigns position on Securian Financial board, St. Paul Pioneer Press (January 23, 2023).
  18. 1 2 3 4 Matt Sepic (January 23, 2023). "U president quits Securian Financial board amid criticism". Minnesota Public Radio.
  19. ↑ Joan Gabel leaving as U of M president to head up University of Pittsburgh, WCCO/CBS News Minnesota (April 3, 2023).
  20. ↑ About Chancellor Gabel, University of Pittsburgh (July 17, 2023).
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