Lynn Perry Wooten (2020-)

Portrait of Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, 2020.

Lynn Perry Wooten will serve as Simmons University’s ninth, and first African American, president beginning July 1, 2020. Wooten earned a B.S. in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University in 1988, an M.B.A. from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business in 1990, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 1995.

Upon completion of her doctorate, Wooten attained her first academic appointment and served for three years as Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. She then returned to Michigan in 1998 to serve as a faculty member at the Ross School of Business where she taught corporate strategy and organizational behavior courses. In 2008, Wooten became Co-director of the Ross Center for Positive Organizations, joining the Ross' Executive Leadership Institute in 2011. From 2011 to 2016, she served as the University of Michigan’s Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs and, later, was named Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Excellence. In 2017, she accepted a position at Cornell University as the David J. Nolan Dean and Clinical Professor of Strategy, Management and Organizations. Her research interests include crisis leadership, strategic human resources management, positive organizing routines, workforce diversity and competitive advantage, and development of emerging leaders.

In addition to her leadership experience, Wooten is a prolific writer. She has authored and co-authored 28 journal articles, 15 book chapters, and two books: Positive Organizing in a Global Society: Understanding and Engaging Differences for Capacity Building and Inclusion and Leading Under Pressure: From Surviving to Thriving Before, During and After a Crisis. She is also an active member in a number of national volunteer leadership organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Jack and Jull of America, Junior League, and The Links Inc.

Upon the February 6, 2020 announcement of her new position at Simmons, Wooten affirmed John Simmons’ commitment to the education of women while also looking toward the future:

With its robust graduate programs and commitment to educating the next generation of female leaders, Simmons University plays a significant role in today’s world… The university’s model—with its focus on liberal arts and professional development—is the future of higher education. I couldn’t be more excited to join this community and to further the institution’s distinctive and vital mission.