Aisha Francis

Aisha Francis, PhD, was appointed president of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology in 2021. She is the first female president in the more than 100-year history of BFCIT after previously serving as the college’s chief executive officer. She leads the college in advancing its mission. Dr. Francis is an award-winning nonprofit leader and educator with experience in strategic planning, philanthropy, board relations, marketing, and communications. She is dedicated to supporting individuals to transform underserved communities for the better. She is an insightful strategist who implements dynamic new programs at best-in-class organizations improving access to and equity of educational and economic opportunities. Dr. Francis was recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 Leader to Watch and by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce with a 2023 Pinnacle Award. In 2021, she was appointed to the board of directors at MA Clean Energy Center, and to the board of directors for Boston public radio station WBUR. She is an independent director of Sunwealth and serves on the Advisory Boards of the Environmental League of MA (ELM) and New England Women in Energy (NEWIE). Dr. Francis resides in Boston with her husband and two young children. She completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University and holds a Ph.D.in English literature from Vanderbilt University.