Melissa Gilliam

Melissa Gilliam
Nationality	American
Occupation	University president, physician, academic administrator
Title	11th President of Boston University
Employer	Boston University
Known for	Presidency of Boston University; interdisciplinary research advocacy

Melissa Gilliam is an American physician, academic administrator, and the 11th president of Boston University (BU). A pediatric and adolescent gynecologist by training, Gilliam built a distinguished career in medicine, public health research, and university leadership before assuming the presidency of one of the largest private research universities in the United States. Her tenure at Boston University has been marked by an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, what she has termed "convergence," and a commitment to leveraging the university's urban location and global reach to address complex societal challenges. Prior to her appointment at BU, Gilliam held senior academic and administrative positions at other major research universities, where she gained recognition for her scholarship on adolescent health and health equity as well as her leadership in fostering cross-disciplinary academic programs. In January 2026, Gilliam delivered her first annual presidential address, in which she articulated a comprehensive vision for Boston University's future centered on the concept of convergence as the institution's "North Star."

Career

Academic and Medical Career

Before entering university administration at the presidential level, Melissa Gilliam established herself as a physician-scholar whose research focused on adolescent health, reproductive health, and health disparities. She held faculty appointments and administrative roles at major research universities, contributing to scholarship that intersected medicine, public health, and the social sciences. Her academic background informed her later approach to university leadership, particularly her emphasis on breaking down disciplinary boundaries and fostering collaborative approaches to research and education.

Appointment as President of Boston University

Melissa Gilliam was appointed as the 11th president of Boston University, succeeding a line of leaders at one of the nation's prominent private research institutions. Her selection reflected the university's interest in a leader with deep academic credentials, a record of interdisciplinary scholarship, and experience in academic administration. Since assuming the presidency, Gilliam has focused on articulating a forward-looking strategic vision for the university, engaging with students, faculty, staff, and the broader Boston community.

Presidential Address and "North Star" Vision

On January 28, 2026, Gilliam delivered her first annual presidential address at the Tsai Performance Center on Boston University's campus. The address, which she titled around the concept of a "North Star," laid out a comprehensive vision for the university's future.

Central to Gilliam's address was the idea of "convergence"—the deliberate integration of different academic disciplines, fields of study, and institutional resources to address complex problems that no single discipline can solve alone. "Convergence is the key to who we are, and who we can be—it is our North Star," Gilliam stated during the address. She argued that Boston University's structure—encompassing 17 schools and colleges spanning the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, public health, and other fields—positioned it uniquely to pursue this convergence-based approach.

The address emphasized interdisciplinary research initiatives as a key pillar of the university's strategic direction. Gilliam called for breaking down traditional academic silos and encouraging collaboration across departments and schools, proposing that the university's greatest contributions to knowledge and society would come from the intersection of different fields rather than from any single discipline operating in isolation.

A recap published by Boston University described the address in detail, noting that about halfway through the speech, Gilliam paused to elaborate on specific examples of how convergence could manifest in practice across the university's research enterprise, educational programs, and community engagement efforts. The vision encompassed not only research but also the student experience, with Gilliam describing how undergraduates and graduate students could benefit from exposure to multiple disciplines and collaborative learning environments.

The address was covered by both university media and the independent student newspaper, The Daily Free Press, indicating broad interest in the new president's strategic direction for the institution.

Support for International Community

A significant aspect of Gilliam's presidency has been her engagement with Boston University's international community. In a joint question-and-answer session published in June 2025 with Willis Wang, vice president and associate provost for Global Programs, Gilliam addressed the university's approach to supporting its international students, scholars, and global partnerships.

In the conversation, Gilliam and Wang discussed the history and significance of international engagement at Boston University, which enrolls students from numerous countries and maintains research collaborations and academic programs around the world. The discussion covered the university's commitments to ensuring that international members of its community felt supported and included, particularly in a period when higher education institutions across the United States faced questions about immigration policy, visa regulations, and the broader climate for international students and scholars.

Gilliam's attention to this issue reflected her broader emphasis on the global dimensions of the university's mission, consistent with her convergence-based vision, which included leveraging the university's international connections as a strategic asset for research and education.

Community Engagement and Student Outreach

Gilliam has also prioritized direct engagement with the Boston University community, including students, faculty, and staff. In November 2025, Boston University launched a video series titled Leaders Among Us, in which Gilliam sat down for conversations with members of the BU community. The first episode featured a conversation between Gilliam and a first-year student named Angel Wiley, in which they discussed the student experience, leadership, and the challenges and opportunities facing young people entering higher education.

The series was designed to highlight the perspectives and experiences of individuals across the university, with Gilliam serving as interviewer and interlocutor. The format represented an effort by the president's office to foster a sense of connection and shared purpose within the large and diverse university community.

Remarks on Common Humanity

In November 2025, Gilliam spoke at a luncheon celebrating the 75th anniversary of Marsh Chapel, Boston University's historic center of religious and spiritual life. In her remarks, Gilliam addressed themes of common humanity, community, and the role of universities during periods of societal discord and struggle.

Gilliam referenced the broader climate of discord in the country and called on the university community to find common ground and shared values even in times of disagreement and difficulty. She positioned the university as a place where diverse perspectives could coexist and where the search for understanding and mutual respect should be central to institutional life. The remarks were consistent with Gilliam's broader rhetorical emphasis on community, inclusion, and the university's responsibility to model constructive dialogue and civic engagement.

Recognition

In February 2026, Colby College announced that Melissa Gilliam would be among the speakers and honorands at its 2026 Commencement ceremony. Colby described the honorands as "four inspiring individuals representing the arts, academics, technology, and the judiciary," and Gilliam's inclusion reflected her standing in the academic community as a university president and scholar.

The invitation to deliver a commencement address or receive an honorary degree is a traditional mark of recognition in American higher education, and Gilliam's selection by Colby College indicated the broader academic community's acknowledgment of her leadership at Boston University and her contributions to scholarship and education.

Legacy

As a relatively new president of Boston University, Gilliam's long-term legacy remains to be determined, but the early direction of her presidency has been characterized by several distinct themes. Her emphasis on "convergence" as an organizing principle for the university's research, teaching, and community engagement represents an effort to differentiate Boston University's strategic identity in an increasingly competitive landscape of major research universities.

Gilliam's background as a physician-scholar has informed her approach to academic leadership, bringing a perspective shaped by the health sciences, public health, and a commitment to addressing societal inequities through research and education. Her focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, support for the university's international community, and emphasis on common humanity during periods of societal tension have together defined the early contours of her presidency.

Her creation of direct engagement platforms such as the Leaders Among Us video series suggests an intention to lead in a manner that is accessible and connected to the daily experiences of students and community members, rather than confined to traditional top-down administrative communication.

The selection of Gilliam as the 11th president of Boston University, and her subsequent articulation of a convergence-centered strategic vision, position her as a figure of significance in the contemporary landscape of American higher education leadership. Her presidency will be evaluated over time based on the implementation and outcomes of the initiatives she has outlined, including the university's success in fostering interdisciplinary research, supporting its diverse community, and advancing its position as a leading global research institution.