Brian Blake, Honorary Doctor of the University
Brian Blake is an esteemed computer scientist, software engineer, and President of Georgia State University.
Among his many achievements, Brian was named the most promising scientist by Career Communications, has been recognised as a Top 10 Emerging Scholar by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and made the Georgia 500 – The State’s Most Influential Leaders – in both 2022 and 2023.
Brian was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, where he developed a passion for software engineering at an early age. He taught himself how to program on his family computer and went on to pursue an undergraduate degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
After becoming a first-generation university graduate, Brian worked with various companies, including General Electric, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and The MITRE Corporation, as a software architect, technical lead, and expert developer. Whilst employed, he earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Mercer University and a doctoral degree from George Mason University.
Brian's career in academia began in 1999 when he became a part-time professor in Georgetown University's Department of Computer Science. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the USA's youngest African-American computer science associate professor. His career has continued to flourish, with Brian eventually rising to his current position as President of Georgia State University.
Throughout his career, Brian has tirelessly championed diversity and equal opportunities in education. He has been instrumental in shaping the strategic vision of Georgia State University and fostering an inclusive learning environment, which has been pivotal in driving the University's growth.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Brian was named the 'Most Admired CEO' by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2020.