NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following a nationwide search led by Isaacson, Miller search firm, Fisk University is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian L. Nelms – former Dean of Fisk’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Business – has been named as the university’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Nelms brings extensive experience in academic service and leadership to the position of Provost. In addition to serving as the lead coordinator of Fisk’s undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology degree program, he also serves as the director of graduate studies for biology at Fisk, where he instructs and mentors students and runs research labs. Throughout his time at Fisk, Dr. Nelms has pioneered new courses, degree programs and research opportunities at the institution.
“Dr. Nelms has long demonstrated an unwavering dedication to Fisk’s mission of developing high-achieving, principled graduates,” said Dr. Agenia W. Clark, President of Fisk University. “Having taught at Fisk for more than a decade, Dr. Nelms possesses a deep understanding of our students and faculty, and a strong commitment to advancing our institution’s trajectory of excellence. After the careful consideration of more than 100 candidates, we are delighted that he has been selected to serve as our Provost.” In addition to his work at Fisk, Dr. Nelms has proudly served as the Principal Investigator on various research grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. A champion for higher education, he also serves as a mentor for the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program, counseling more than 30 students in their pursuit of a PhD.
“I look forward to continuing work with our talented and dedicated faculty and staff so that Fisk can continue to provide the transformational academic experience—and excellence—that our bright students deserve,” said Dr. Brian Nelms. “Fisk University is a special place and I am excited for our future.”
Before joining Fisk, Dr. Nelms received undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and Spanish, and a PhD in microbiology and molecular biology from Penn State University. He received additional training as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University.
