Beverly Warren

Beverly Warren joined AGB Search in 2020 following a more than 40 year career in higher education.  Dr. Warren is President Emerita of Kent State University, having served as the instituion’s 12th president from July, 2014 to July 2019.

Under Dr. Warren’s leadership, Kent State produced an ambitious five-year strategic vision, A Strategic Roadmap to a Distinctive Kent State. The plan focused on putting students first and raising the profile of Kent State as one of the top public research universities in the nation, focusing on a distinctive blend of teaching, research and creative excellence.  Dr. Warren also led the university in the development of a 10-year facilities master plan, a $1 billion transformative journey to better serve the needs of students and the blended communities of Kent State and the city of Kent. The plan focused on a welcoming feel of the university’s iconic Front Campus and genuine sense of place, elevated inclusive healthy living-learning environments, linked a campuswide series of spaces focused on innovation and expanded the dynamic synergy with the city of Kent.

In her role as chief executive officer, Dr. Warren oversaw one of the nation’s largest university systems, dedicated to research and advancement in critical areas such as brain health, advanced materials and liquid crystals, environmental science and design, healthy communities and global understanding. Kent State includes nearly 40,000 students on eight campuses across Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Regional Academic Center, and academic sites in major world cities such as New York City, Florence, Paris and Geneva.

Dr. Warren’s passion for the power of education to change lives and communities can be seen in initiatives that led to enhanced pathways for student success, created greater access to higher education for the most students, advanced innovation throughout the university’s eight campus system and supported students in high impact experiences that lead to productive lives and careers.  Throughout her career, Dr. Warren has worked with local communities to improve educational outcomes for students with the greatest need.  She has been active in formulating local Strive Together networks, helping to ensure the success of every child from cradle to career.

A North Carolina native and first generation student, Dr. Warren earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Science degree from Southern Illinois University. She holds two doctorates, an Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Auburn University.