Dr. Susan R. Wente
On July 1, 2021, Wake Forest welcomed its 14th president, Dr. Susan R. Wente. Like Wake Forest itself, Wente has a history of taking bold steps in education. She was selected not only for her exceptional reputation as an acclaimed academic and charismatic leader, but also for her vision of Wake Forest as a welcoming, inclusive community that will continue to make positive change in the world.
Wente is a renowned biomedical scientist who served as Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for seven years and interim chancellor for eleven months. She led Vanderbilt’s efforts to restructure the relationship between the university and its medical center, which affords her valuable insight into the recent partnership between Atrium Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health. Never far from the lab or classroom, Wente models Wake Forest’s distinctive teacher-scholar ideal and has continued to mentor and conduct research with undergraduates throughout her administrative career.
Strategic Framework
Wake Forest’s bicentennial year of 2034 is within sight. sustaining the University’s current success will require a strategic approach to leveraging recent investments and partnerships. We are at the beginning of an exciting journey for Wake Forest.
From Wente’s Desk
A selection of posts from the President’s blog:
- A Framework, a Mirror, a Call to Action
- Three ‘R’s’ for continual learning and improvement
- Dancing into the summer
- An engaging process is itself a valuable product
- Seasons of change
- Strategically addressing space needs for our third century
- Identifying the ‘Why, What and How’ of Wake Forest together
- How we frame the framework
Engagement
Social: Follow or Mention
Talk with the President
- Students: Gold & Black Chats (with VP for Campus Life Shea Kidd Brown)
- Faculty & Staff: Wednesdays with Wente
Events
Fill out this form to request the President’s attendance.
Welcome back
President Wente offers thoughts on the start of the Fall 2023 semester.
Save the Date
President Wente will deliver her 2023 Presidential Address on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m.
Inauguration
President Wente’s inauguration ceremony was held March 25, 2022. Learn more »