Dr. Aisha Francis Named President

July 13, 2021

Aisha Francis, PhD, has been appointed as President of Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, making her the first female president in the college’s more than 100-year history. Dr. Francis most recently served as Chief Executive Officer.

“Dr. Francis has a clear vision for the college as a dynamic higher education resource that connects students whose families were left behind during past economic boom times to strong career paths at the leading edges of the regional economy.  The Board is confident that she has all of the experience, leadership and fundraising skill to transform the college into an institution that more effectively, more expeditiously and more affordably connects young people to the prosperous futures that they deserve,” said Turahn Dorsey, the College’s recently appointed Board Chair.  “The national movement towards social justice and equity is something that the college is uniquely positioned to help both its graduates and corporate partners lead.”

Under her helm to date, the college successfully navigated the transition to hybrid education, a particularly complex task for a hands-on technical College serving a student population with limited access to digital resources. At the same time, Dr. Francis led a seasoned staff firmly committed to the continued evolution of technical education in identifying and investing in new academic programs to provide additional training opportunities in high-demand fields.  In recent months, the College continues to develop and put in place certifications and programs that support increased needs in green technology.

“The college has all of the elements in place to help our students succeed, and to play a role in the continued evolution of Greater Boston’s economy as we experience the fourth industrial revolution. In particular, we are a leader in the clean tech industry and our graduates will continue to be a key part of that workforce,” said Dr. Francis. “I look forward to continued collaboration with the business, civic, and political communities of Greater Boston, to help expand our region’s competitiveness in the years ahead.”

In her new role as President and CEO, Dr. Francis will continue to focus on the development of a state-of-the art new campus in Boston’s Nubian Square, creating a visual presence for the College as an important asset in a vibrant community.

“Nubian Square is a geographic and cultural hub of our city. And it reflects Greater Boston’s rich history of fostering education, entrepreneurism and career opportunities for communities of color.  Building our new campus in this neighborhood signals our investment in the inclusive success of this region by engaging and graduating learners of all types who desire the economic security that our industry-informed training in clean tech and construction trade careers provides,” said Dr. Francis.

A seasoned leader with more than two decades of higher education and non-profit experience, Dr. Aisha Francis has held roles in some of Boston’s leading organizations, managing their advancement, marketing, and fundraising efforts. Over the course of her career, Dr. Francis has spearheaded complex organizational transformations and campaigns. Prior to joining Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Dr. Francis held senior roles at Economic Mobility Pathways, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, and, most recently, Harvard Medical School.

A summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Fisk University, Dr. Francis earned her Ph.D. in English Literature from Vanderbilt University and taught and published on the topics of English Literature and Gender Studies before transitioning into fundraising.  A resident of Hyde Park, where she lives with her husband and two young children, Dr. Francis is civically active as a Trustee of WBUR, a member of the Boston Employment Commission, a member of the Advisory Board for the William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture and a Judge for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Essay Contest.

About Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Founded in 1908 in Boston, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology is one of New England’s oldest Colleges of technology. Started with a bequest from Benjamin Franklin and a matching gift from Andrew Carnegie, the private non-profit College offers an affordable education for people seeking technical careers. We are an affordable, urban college serving the Boston region and committed to student success and career readiness in technology fields. Through personalized support, hands-on learning, and industry-informed curricula, we prepare graduates for work, life-long learning, and citizenship.