Civility in America Series: Jens Frederiksen, President of the University of New Haven

Jens Frederiksen, President of the University of New Haven, will discuss Higher Education and a Civil Society.

Registration required.

Also available via Zoom; log in here at the scheduled time.

Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., joined the University of New Haven (UNH) on March 1, 2024, as its seventh president. An innovative higher education leader with extensive experience in many facets of higher education administration, including enrollment management, fundraising and academic/corporate pathways, he joined UNH from Fisk University, a highly ranked historically black university in Nashville, TN, where he has served as executive vice president for institutional advancement and enrollment management.

At Fisk, Dr. Frederiksen helped usher in the revival of one of the nation's most highly regarded HBCUs. He helped envision and implement Fisk's strategic plan and oversaw enrollment management, financial aid, career services, alumni affairs, marketing/university relations and institutional advancement. He also helped spearhead the John Lewis Center for Social Justice and launch Fisk's Business Incubation and Innovation Center. Under his leadership, Fisk raised more than $110 million, including 20 seven-figure gifts, and dramatically increased its enrollment, net tuition revenue and endowment.

Dr. Frederiksen's efforts helped Fisk secure a number one national ranking by Forbes for academic stewardship. He was also instrumental in establishing academic and corporate partnerships with Vanderbilt University, HCA Healthcare, Ryan Specialty Group, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, the Los Angeles Lakers, Marsh McLennan and Ingram Industries, among others. He collaborated with HomeFree USA to launch a successful financial literacy program and established an executive speakers program with leaders from every major industry. In addition, he coordinated visits to the Fisk campus by such distinguished guests as the late Congressman John Lewis, Vice President Kamala Harris and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson. He facilitated the Fisk Jubilee Singers performance with Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys as well as their Juneteenth performance at the White House.

Dr. Frederiksen has served as a professor at Vanderbilt, Fisk and the University of the South, and as a consultant for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. He earned bachelor's degrees in political science, history, economics and philosophy from Vanderbilt, where he was a member of the men's tennis team. He also earned both a master's degree in interdisciplinary social and political thought and a Ph.D. in contemporary political theory and comparative politics from Vanderbilt.

A native of Denmark, Dr. Frederiksen and his wife, May Wood Frederiksen, have two children, Gunnar and Lilly.

Presented in partnership with The Dilenschneider Group and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.