Announcing New Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bay Path University

Longmeadow, MA—Bay Path University (BPU) is pleased to announce that Natalia F. Blank, PhD, has been elected to serve as the vice president for academic affairs (VPAA), effective January 2, 2024. Dr. Blank will serve on the executive leadership team and work across all divisions at the University. As VPAA, she will articulate a clear and compelling vision for the academic enterprise that builds on BPU’s innovative approach to higher education, marshals the collective talents of faculty and staff in an environment of collegiality and cooperation, and use data driven decision making and strategic thinking to optimize the student experience, from access through successful completion, as well as the academic operations of the University.

After a successful national search, Dr. Blank comes to Bay Path from D’Youville University in Buffalo, NY, where she served as vice president for academic affairs. She joins the leadership team with nearly 20 years working in university administrative roles, including associate provost for academic affairs and assessment at Norwich University in Vermont.

“Natalia has the experience and the ability to lead and envision innovative and results-oriented academic initiatives,” said Bay Path President Sandra Doran. “Her commitment to students, faculty and staff is apparent and she will be integral to our University’s work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).”

For over 20 years, Dr. Blank has served in various roles on both the faculty and administrative side in education.  As a teacher-scholar, she has been the author of numerous publications, earned several awards and honors for teaching excellence, and has received multiple grants in support of student and faculty research.

Dr. Blank states: "Immediately, upon meeting and speaking with members of the Bay Path community, I felt a connection to the mission and vision of the University. I am excited to join President Doran, her leadership team, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and alumni in helping our students achieve their goals. I believe that innovative and entrepreneurial institutions like Bay Path will change higher education by becoming a model for responsive, successful learning experiences that will transform the futures of students."

Dr. Blank received her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Nizhegorod State University in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia.  She went on to receive her doctorate in organic/organometallic chemistry from Dartmouth College. 

About Bay Path University

Bay Path University was founded in 1897. Today, Bay Path’s enrolled population of over 2,500 includes traditional undergraduates; adult women at The American Women's College, the first all-women, all-online accredited degree program in the country; and women and men master’s and doctoral students. Bay Path embraces the vision that every learner’s dreams of a better career, a richer life, and a brighter future will be realized.