Dr. David Kwabena Wilson, Ed.D

Dr. David Kwabena Wilson, Ed.D., serves as the 10th inaugurated president of Morgan State University in Maryland. He has led the institution for more than a decade and has become a recognized advocate for historically black colleges and universities nationwide.

Wilson’s career in higher education administration spans more than 30 years. He received the 2023 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He serves on multiple boards, including the Lumina Foundation Board of Directors, the TIAA Board of Directors, and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Board of Directors. President Barack Obama appointed him to the Board of Advisors on HBCUs in 2010.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

We are very pleased with the unprecedented progress achieved in transforming Morgan into a major top-shelf research university in Maryland and the nation. We lead the state’s research universities in the number of patents, disclosures, and start-up companies generated per every $10 million in research expenditures. We’ve built several new academic and residential facilities, exceeding $1.4 billion during my tenure. And enrollment is hovering around 12,000 students. Morgan is not standing still.

What is the biggest challenge facing higher education institutions?

Academic freedom is the foundation of American higher education and has made us the envy of the world. My fear is that we are dangerously close to having that shredded. If it happens, I think much of the innovation and critical thinking coming out of universities will be severely eroded. We can tear down a world-class system overnight if we are not careful in this moment. Rebuilding it could take another 100 years.

What do you do to unwind?

Long walks along the beach, grilling in my backyard, and hanging out at jazz joints across the country are what keep me de-stressed. I usually frequent the Blue Note, Dizzy’s, and Birdland in New York; Andy’s and the Green Mill in Chicago; and, of course, Keystone Korner here in Harbor East. I also like going to sporting events with my son.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Higher Education Power List for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.