Robert J. Blaine, III, D.M.A., President, University of The Bahamas
Dr. Robert J. Blaine, III, brings a blend of visionary academic leadership, civic innovation, and transformative educational strategy to his role as the fourth President of University of The Bahamas (UB).
He assumed the presidency on 1st July 2025, following his tenure as Senior Executive and Director of the Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) and the Center for Municipal Practice (CMP) at the National League of Cities, based in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, more than $55 million in grant funding was secured, and over 1,000 cities were empowered through the Local Infrastructure Hub, redistributing nearly half a billion dollars to underserved communities across the US.
With more than two decades of experience in higher education, and US municipal governance and national policy, Dr. Blaine now leads UB in advancing its mission to support national development through education, research, innovation, and service. In UB’s new era of development, implementing a quality improvement paradigm, ensuring academic programmes align with existing and emerging employment and business opportunities, and expanding research capacity and impact are key imperatives.
In his former role as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Blaine launched initiatives to promote economic mobility and early childhood education, expanded broadband access for thousands of families, and raised more than $8 million in private funding for climate resilience and community wellbeing.
In academia, Dr. Blaine served as Associate Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Tougaloo College, an historically black university, where he redesigned the general education curriculum to foster innovation and student autonomy. As Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Cyberlearning at Jackson State University – another historically black institution – he led a 90% reduction in textbook costs through the development of high-quality digital content, secured major grants, and spearheaded institutional transformation through technology and curriculum redesign.
Earlier in his career, in his capacity as Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan at Jackson State University, Dr. Blaine successfully led the institution through reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2012. His leadership enhanced student learning, supported faculty development, and produced 44 faculty-authored eTexts.
Dr. Blaine is a TEDx speaker, a Fulbright Senior Lecturing Award recipient, and was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2013. A gifted musical conductor and a lifelong advocate for the arts, he has led international music programmes and performed at the inauguration of US President Barack Obama.
He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, a Master of Music degree in Performance from the Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from Indiana University.
Dr. Blaine and his wife, Angela, are the proud and devoted parents of two sons, Robert Blaine IV, age 25, and Christopher Blaine, age 22. Both Dr. Blaine and Angela are Washington D.C. natives and their sons were born in Monroe, Louisiana.
1st July 2025
Dear UB Community,
It is an honour to join you as the fourth President of University of The Bahamas. I am thrilled to be here— not just because of the quality and purposeful institution UB already is, but to discover all the new milestones we can accomplish together.
From the moment I arrived, I’ve been uplifted by the generosity of spirit, the warmth, openness, and deep sense of pride that lives in UB and in all Bahamians. I want you to know that I approach our work together with a sense of humility – open to listen and learn. Every institution has its own culture, its own rhythm, its own story, and I want to understand UB from the people who know it best: our students, our faculty, our staff, our alumni, and our partners. Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be spending time listening to your experiences and your hopes for the future.
My life’s journey has taken me across many parts of education and public service— from the concert hall to innovation in the classroom, from city leadership to national innovation in managing cities —but at the centre of all my work has been one constant: the belief that institutions like UB exist to open new horizons and transform lives. What has guided me through each chapter is a core belief in the power of learning to uplift and to build futures rooted in dignity and opportunity.
I come to UB with this lifelong commitment to education as a transformative force—for individuals, for communities, and for nations. That belief is what propelled me to serve UB and the people of The Bahamas. Grounded by this, my first goal is to make space for your talent to grow, your questions to be heard, and your work to have impact. I will be listening intently. I want to understand your aspirations, your challenges, and your ideas.
One person can’t achieve this transformative work alone. I arrive at this journey with my family – my wife, Angela, and sons Robert IV and Christopher; the support of the Board of Trustees; executive leadership; UB’s students, faculty, and staff; and the nation – and it will take all of us to achieve our goals.
UB is a national university, but more than that—it’s a community. And, like any strong community, our greatest strength will be the trust we build with one another. I look forward to earning that trust through listening, showing up, and working side by side with all of you. Together, we will chart a path forward that honours UB’s unique heritage, while boldly embracing innovation and growth.
University of The Bahamas is a living, evolving expression of national promise. It is a beacon of excellence, and a vessel for hope for every student who walks through our doors and for every community we serve. I am honoured to walk with you in this work, and I pledge to lead with openness, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to our shared mission.
With admiration and gratitude,
Dr. Robert J. Blaine III
President
University of The Bahamas