James_Nov-Dec_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 21
erry College
began the fall
semester with a
new leader at the
helm. Dr. Sandeep Mazumder,
the institution’s
ninth president, officially took office
July 1 following his announcement
last November. With a background
that stretches from London to
Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Wake
Forest, and Baylor University, the
economist-turned-educator brings
both a global perspective and a
strong commitment to Berry’s historic mission.
An internationally respected
economist and accomplished leader
in higher education, Mazumder
emerged from a rigorous national
search as the leader best suited to
guide Berry into its next chapter of
fulfilling its mission of “educating
the head, heart and hands to inspire
leaders who will nurture thriving
communities.”
From London to Rome (Georgia)
Born and raised in London, the
president says he developed an
early passion for economics at just
14 years old. His academic path led
him to the University of Cambridge,
where he pursued undergraduate
studies, and later across the Atlantic to Johns Hopkins University
where he earned his PhD. Initially
planning to return to England, his
trajectory shifted after discovering
a love for teaching and meeting his
future wife, a Pennsylvania native.
Mazumder’s professional career
began at Wake Forest University,
where he gained tenure as an economics professor and later served
as department chair. He says that
role sparked his interest in higher
education administration, leading
him to Baylor University, where
he served as dean of the business
school— an experience he says
helped prepare him for college leadership on a larger scale.
shape the institution today. “We
don’t just educate the head, but
also the heart and hands,” he said.
“What’s remarkable is that every
student and faculty member here
truly knows and embraces that mission. That sense of shared purpose
A Mission-Driven Move
When the opportunity for a
presidency arose, Mazumder says
Berry quickly emerged as the
right fit for both professional and
personal reasons. “My wife and I
honed in on Berry straight away
for its mission, its history, its people and its location,” he said.
“It’s clearly the perfect
fit for us, and we hope
to be here for a long,
long time— hopefully
until retirement.”
Mazumder says
the Berry mission,
as first laid out by
founder Martha
Berry more than
120 years ago,
continues to
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