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

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)

Early life and education edit

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 edit

Early career edit

Gabel started her career as an attorney in Atlanta.[9] From 1996 to 2007, she was a professor of legal studies at Georgia State University, then was a professor of business law and department chair at Florida State University from 2007 to 2010.

From 2010 to 2015, Gabel served as the dean of the college of business at the University of Missouri, during which time she was recognized as “a shining star” in business school administration by the Wall Street Journal.[10] [11] She became the provost of the University of South Carolina in 2015 before joining UMN as president. [12] While at the University of South Carolina, she launched the Galen Fellows and Rhodos Fellows programs.[13]

She has also served as editor-in-chief of the American Business Law Journal. [14]

Accolades edit

Gabel has received numerous awards for her research, service and scholarship, including being designated as a Fulbright Scholar.[15] She won the Junior Distinguished Faculty Award and the Proceedings Paper Awards in 1999, the Holmes-Cardozo Award in 2002, and the Kay Duffy Outstanding Service Award in 2005.[16] She has also served on several nonprofit boards, including the American Council on Education, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, and the Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board.[17] [18] In April 2021, she was named the new University Vice Chair for the Council on Competitiveness.[19]

University of Minnesota president edit

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.[20][8]

During her first year as president, the University of Minnesota experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests.[21] During the COVID-19 crisis, the University of Minnesota shifted to online courses and instruction[21] Following George Floyd's murder, Gabel announced that the university would reduce special events collaboration with the Minneapolis Police Department;[22] she later restored the collaboration after the Minneapolis police changed certain practices.[23]

As president of UMN, Gabel oversaw increases in the university's research, fundraising, and graduation rates. During her tenure, UMN surpassed a record-breaking $1 billion in annual research expenditures [24] and became one of the top one percent of patent-producing universities.[25] In 2020, the Department of Defense awarded the University $87.5 million to create a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute.[26] [27] Using the lessons learned about the use of technology and online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gabel introduced an innovative, accelerated health care program administered at the University’s Rochester campus, called NXT GEN MED.[28] [29]

Gabel joined a lawsuit against the federal government aimed at overturning a ruling that could have deported some international students.[30] In 2021, Gabel created the University’s inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs in order to deepen the relationship between UMN, a land-grant University, and Minnesota’s Tribal Nations.[31]

While at UMN, Gabel received criticism regarding her compensation and approved outside activities, especially in the later part of her tenure.[32] Gabel and the Chair of the Board of Regents defended her compensation as appropriate for the market, noting that it was lower than that of other Big Ten university presidents. [32] When the Board of Regents hired David McMillan, a retired utility executive, to serve as interim chancellor of UMN Duluth, the process prompted criticism because McMillian 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 and was one of the regents who approved her salary increase in 2021.[33] Both McMillan and Gabel denied any such suggestion of impropriety, as Gabel had recused herself in the process to hire McMillan. [33] [32]


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 public vote.[34][35] Gabel's membership to the Securian board came under scrutiny because Securian had contracts with the university.[35] Gabel resigned from the Securian board in January 2023.[34][35]

University of Pittsburgh chancellor and CEO edit

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.[32] She began her tenure as the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh on July 17, 2023.[36][37]

Since joining Pitt, Gabel has refocused the campus on a renewed strategic planning process, coined Reimagining Plan for Pitt.[38] On her 100th day as Chancellor, Pitt announced a new program, the Pitt Finish Line Grant, designed to provide financial aid to lower-income students to help them complete their degrees.[39]

In Fall 2023, Gabel was named one of thirteen University presidents spearheading the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a new initiative convened by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars to create better informed and more empowered citizens.[40] Gabel was also selected to serve as the Chair of the Council of Presidents for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.[41] In January 2024, Gabel was named to Pittsburgh Business Times' fifth annual Power 100.[42]

References edit

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ "Joan T.A. Gabel takes office as 17th University of Minnesota System President". University of Minnesota. July 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ "B-Schools Send Women Up the Ranks". Wall Street Journal. August 2, 2012.
  12. ^ "Joan T.A. Gabel takes office as 17th University of Minnesota System President". University of Minnesota. July 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  13. ^ "20 in '18 - A retrospective of UofSC highlights from the past year". University of South Carolina. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  14. ^ "About President Gabel". Office of the President. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Joan T.A. Gabel takes office as 17th University of Minnesota System President". University of Minnesota. July 2019.
  16. ^ Aug. 2-7, 2020, 95th Academy of Legal Studies in Business Online Annual Conference, https://alsb.wildapricot.org/resources/FINAL%20Program%20Book%2008-03-20.pdf
  17. ^ "Gabel elected as chair of APLU Council of Presidents". Vol. 56, no. 8. University Times. November 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "About IIE - Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board (CIES)". Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "U of M President Joan Gabel Named University Vice Chair for Council on Competitiveness". University of Minnesota. 20 April 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  20. ^ Mila Koumpilova (December 18, 2018). "University of Minnesota regents choose Joan Gabel as school's first female president". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  21. ^ a b "In first year, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel leads school through health and social crises". Minneapolis Star Tribune. August 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "UMN adjusts relationship with MPD following death of George Floyd". The Minnesota Daily. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  23. ^ Chhith, Alex; Tribune, Paul Walsh Star. "University of Minnesota to resume working relationship with Minneapolis police". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  24. ^ "U of M President Joan Gabel Named University Vice Chair for Council on Competitiveness". University of Minnesota. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  25. ^ "University of Minnesota 17th in the world among universities granted U.S. patents in 2019, continuing upward trend". University of Minnesota. 14 June 2020.
  26. ^ "DOD Approves $87 Million for Newest Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute". Dep't of Defense.
  27. ^ "McCollum Congratulates University of Minnesota on Being Selected as Host for BioIndustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute". United States House of Rep. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  28. ^ "NXT GEN MED: UMR to offer accelerated approach to health sciences degree". MedCityBeat. February 17, 2021.
  29. ^ Steiner, Andy (March 23, 2021). "UMR's new B.S. degree in health sciences finds a 'silver lining' in pandemic-era education". MinnPost.
  30. ^ "University of Minnesota supports lawsuit challenging new ICE rule for international students". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  31. ^ "U of M launches unique, senior-level tribal affairs role; selects Karen Diver as inaugural appointment". University of Minnesota. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  32. ^ a b c d Josh Verges, UMN President Joan Gabel to leave for Pittsburgh job after contentious fourth year, St. Paul Pioneer Press (April 4, 2023).
  33. ^ a b 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).
  34. ^ a b Josh Verges, Under fire, UMN President Gabel resigns position on Securian Financial board, St. Paul Pioneer Press (January 23, 2023).
  35. ^ a b c Matt Sepic (January 23, 2023). "U president quits Securian Financial board amid criticism". Minnesota Public Radio.
  36. ^ Joan Gabel leaving as U of M president to head up University of Pittsburgh, WCCO/CBS News Minnesota (April 3, 2023).
  37. ^ About Chancellor Gabel, University of Pittsburgh (July 17, 2023).
  38. ^ Jones, Susan (October 6, 2023). "Reimagining Plan for Pitt takes center stage for new chancellor". Vol. 56, no. 4. University Times.
  39. ^ Faina, Nichole (October 24, 2023). "A new Pitt initiative will help lower-income students get to graduation". PittWire.
  40. ^ "College Presidents for Civic Preparedness". Institute for Citizens & Scholars. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  41. ^ "Chancellor Joan Gabel was elected as chair of the APLU Council of Presidents". PittWire. November 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Beahm, Jennifer (January 9, 2024). "Pittsburgh Power 100: Meet the region's most influential leaders of 2024". Pittsburgh Business Times.
Academic offices
Preceded by 17th President of the University of Minnesota
2019 – 2023
Succeeded by
Jeff Ettinger (interim)
Preceded by 19th Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh
2023 – present
Incumbent