Kimberly Andrews Espy Will Be the First Woman President of Wayne State University in Detroit

The board of governors of Wayne State University voted unanimously to elect Kimberly Andrews Espy, as the university’s thirteenth president. When she takes office on August 1, she will be the first woman to lead the university.

Wayne State University enrolls nearly 17,000 undergraduate students and more than 8,000 graduate students, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 59 percent of the undergraduate student body.

“I am proud to accept this position to serve as the next president of such an exceptional institution of higher learning in the heart of the Detroit, a storied city that is on the move. Wayne State has played an important role in Detroit’s recent revitalization, and I’m excited about the opportunities that exist to continue building on that growth,” Dr. Espy said. “Wayne State University is a national model for student success, is recognized for its community impact, and is respected across the nation and around the world for its scholarship and health services, particularly in addressing health disparities in major cities. I am honored that the board has chosen me to be this university’s next leader, and I am excited to begin charting the journey we will all take together to continue to create and advance knowledge for our community and our world.”

Dr. Espy has been serving as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio, a position she has held since 2018. Earlier, she was senior vice president for research at the University of Arizona and dean of the graduate school at the University of Oregon. Dr. Espy started her academic career at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she taught neuroscience to first-year medical students.

A native of Cincinnati, Espy received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Rice University in Houston. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology from the University of Houston. She also completed a clinical/pediatric psychology internship at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Dr. Espy is a licensed clinical psychologist.