Brian Hemphill

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. serves as the ninth president of Old Dominion University, a top-tier R1 research institution and a national leader in access, innovation, and workforce alignment. Since assuming the presidency in July 2021, Dr. Hemphill has led a comprehensive institutional transformation grounded in a forward-focused vision that positions Old Dominion University at the forefront of higher education’s evolution. Under his leadership, the University has advanced a bold digital transformation strategy designed to modernize academic delivery, enhance the student experience, and align more directly with workforce and economic needs. This includes the expansion of scalable, high-impact academic pathways; the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence across teaching and research; and the launch of MonarchSphere—an innovative, first-of-its-kind AI incubator in partnership with Google Cloud that connects students, faculty, and industry to solve real-world challenges. Dr. Hemphill has also strengthened Old Dominion University’s role as a critical driver of regional and statewide economic development. Most notably, he successfully led the complex integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into the University. Prior to joining Old Dominion University, Dr. Hemphill served as president of Radford University and West Virginia State University, where he led significant growth in enrollment, academic programs, infrastructure, and philanthropic support. Across his distinguished career, he has consistently demonstrated a proven ability to lead complex institutions through transformation, while building strong partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders. He is an active national leader in higher education and serves on several prominent boards, including the Board of Directors for John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: WLY), the Board of Managers for Preston Hollow Community Capital, and the Board of Directors for Jefferson Science Associates. A published scholar and frequent national speaker, his scholarly work focuses on major issues, including campus safety, higher education finance, and the evolving role of institutions in society. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Iowa, a Master of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from Saint Augustine’s University.