Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., FACS

Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., FACS

President, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Over the past 25 years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. Bruce E. Jarrell has carved out an exemplary career. The kidney and liver transplant surgeon first served the institution as the chair of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Surgery.

The Caroline County native would go on to hold a number of executive positions, including dean of the University of Maryland Graduate School, executive vice president and provost and chief ac-ademic and research officer and senior vice president.

After serving as interim president for eight months, Jarrell was named the school’s seventh president in September 2020.

What is the biggest challenge facing higher education?

Leading across generations is one of the biggest challenges facing higher education right now. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), our students, staff, and faculty represent four generations: Boomers, Gen x, Millennials, and GenZ. Each generation has different styles of work, communication, and value sets, and it takes intentional work to cultivate a culture across generations.

What is the most encouraging new development in higher education?

It’s not so much a new development as an opportunity—institutions of higher education have long played an important role in society, but not everyone sees this. We need to be relevant and reengage as institutions that are seen as valuable to society—above and beyond our role in conferring degrees. We are places where ideas abound and where discourse and debate happens.

What do you do to unwind?

Besides spending time with my grandchildren, I am an artistic blacksmith as a hobby. Metal, especially iron, allows me to create artistic sculptures. It requires the development of skills similar to the skills I used as a surgeon.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Higher Education Power List for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.