McDaniel College announces new Provost

Flavius R.W. Lilly, Ph.D., a gerontologist who has forged a diverse career in health care and academia, has been selected as McDaniel College’s new provost following a national search. He plans to join McDaniel effective June 28, 2023.

In this role at McDaniel, Lilly will serve as the chief academic officer, having broad responsibility for both the undergraduate and graduate academic programs.

“We look forward to welcoming Dr. Lilly to McDaniel. He is known as an engaged and committed educator, and his leadership experience, particularly in developing new services and academic programs, stood out during the search process,” said McDaniel College President Julia Jasken.

Lilly has most recently served as the vice provost of academic and student affairs and the vice dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), where he began in 2010. At UMB, he oversees the Division of Student Affairs, provides leadership in academic affairs to the Center for Global Engagement, and has been responsible for the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL), which was established in May 2019 to serve as a central resource for faculty, staff, and administrators to curate, collaborate, and co-create teaching and learning resources.

As the vice dean of the Graduate School, he has facilitated new degree development, international partnerships, social and health innovation, student recruitment and marketing, and online learning. He has also helped to expand equity, inclusion, and diversity programming, appointing the first chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer in the Graduate School.

A gerontologist, he leads the Geriatrics and Gerontology Research and Education program at UMB and teaches courses on the psychology of aging, sociology of aging, and clinical epidemiology. He previously worked in the health care industry in executive leadership roles focused on health care quality improvement, access to care, chronic disease management, and service delivery to aging populations.

Lilly holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and obtained a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Drexel University. He also has a master’s degree in Applied Sociology and Ph.D. in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter at McDaniel College, eager to immerse myself in its vibrant community, engage with the expertise of its faculty, and be inspired by its exceptional leaders,” said Lilly. “From the moment I set foot on campus, I felt a deep sense of belonging, and I eagerly anticipate forging meaningful connections and contributing to the advancement of McDaniel College's mission.”