MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
September 16, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 201 of the District of Columbia Public
Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act, approved October 26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1424; D.C. Official
Code § 38-1202.01), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Dr. Esther Barazzone
Albemarle Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
(Ward 3)
for reappointment as member of the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia,
for a term to end May 15, 2029.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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at the request of the Mayor
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6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the reappointment of Esther Barazzone to the Board of Trustees of the University of
16 the District of Columbia.
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18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
19 resolution may be cited as the "Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia
20 Esther Barazzone Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
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23 Dr. Esther Barazzone
24 Albemarle Street, N.W.
25 Washington, D.C. 20008
26 (Ward 3)
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28 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia, established
29 by section 201 of the District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act,
30 approved October 26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1424; D.C. Official Code§ 38-1202.01), for a term to end
31 May 15, 2029.
32 Sec. 3. The Council shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its adoption, to the
33 nominee, the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia, and the Office of
34 the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
ESTHER L. BARAZZONE, PHD
Experienced leader in higher education, currently working as independent consultant and Boards
member focused on issues of governance, leadership, and management. During a 24 year
presidency achieved successful turn-around of Chatham University and gained broad experience
in all aspects of higher education. Continue deep commitments through Board memberships to
innovation, access and diversity, sustainability, and global perspectives.
CURRENT SERVICE
University of the District of Columbia (Trustee, 2017-2024; Secretary of the Board to 2024; Chair of
Outcomes Committee 2022-2024+)
‘American University of Rome (Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee, Member of the
Executive Committee 2017-present; Chair of Strategic Planning, 2023+)
ACTIVE EMERITA OR ADVISORY STATUS ENGAGEMENT
Chatham University -Emerita President and Emerita ProfessorofHistory
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Board -Emerita Board Member
PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network-(for collegiate women)- Advisory Board Member
EDUCATION
= Columbia University, New York, New York, Ph.D., 1982, M.A. 1969, European Intellectual History
(Fellow of the Faculty, NDEA IV Fellow 1968 - 1972)
= University of Madrid, Spain, Studies in Spanish History, 1967-1968 (Fulbright student)
= New College, Sarasota, Florida, B.A., 1967, Philosophy and History, (Charter Scholar)
ADDITIONAL STUDIES
= Harvard University, Institute for Educational Management (IEM), 1991
= Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Certificate in Business Administration, 1981
CAREER
President, Chatham University 1992-2016
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Philadelphia University (formerly Philadelphia Collegeof Textiles and
Science) 1987-1992
Associate Provost and Director of Corporate and Foundation Fundraising, Swarthmore College 1983-87
Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Pennsylvania 1982-1983
Faculty Member, Modern European Intellectual History, Hamilton and Kirkland Colleges, 1974-1981
Director of Study Abroad Groups to England and Mexico, Experiment in International Living, England and
Mexico, 1973-4
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Institutional management and leadership:
-Chatham '92-'16 was regarded as a model of “turn around leadership” due to significant renewal and
expansion. Chatham quadrupled its enrollment (600-2300); almost tripled its endowment ($85 million
in '16); became a university by starting graduate programs linked with undergraduate majors; ended
‘operational deficits and increased budgets from $11 M to $50+M); grew from 32 acres to 450 acres with
three campus sites.
-Always focused on quality as well as finances, Chatham named an “institution of Distinction” by AACRU
(American Association of Colleges and Universities”. Accreditors said in ‘07: “Chatham has moved with
confidence and daring, choosing the well-considered risks of bold action over the diminishing returns of
playing it safe"; “A place of strong intellectual values joined with an impulse for innovatior
Fundraising, publications and public relations earned three national CASE gold medals; more than $150
milion raised by ‘16
-In fall of '16 institution successfully became coeducational at the undergraduate level and doubled the
next first year class with 33% men enrolling’.
AGB (Association of Governing Boards) -John Nason Award to Board and President for “Exemplary
institutional governance and courage, especially in challenging times,” 2016
Sustainability and the Environment:
~The alma mater of Rachel Carson, Chatham became a national and international leader in Sustainability
after ‘92, becoming one of the first signatories of the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, followed by the
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creation of the Falk School of Sustainability, gifting of the land (’08) and building of the new Eden Hall 388-
acre campus, dubbed a “Living Lab” by COTE in ’17. The world’s first carbon neutral campus, Eden Hall
cleans its own waste water, produces its own energy (solar and geothermal), and offers sustainable
agriculture, aquaculture and food studies. ISCN (International Sustainable Campus Network) bestowed its
Sustainable Campus Excellence Award in Singapore, the only North American institution to be so honored
(’13). In the new, Eden Hall Campus, a $50 Million LEED Platinum project (’18), was honored by the AIA
(American Institute of Architects) Gold Medal for environmental excellence. In 2019, the Sierra Club named
Chatham one of the “Top 20 Coolest Schools.”
International:
-Institute for International Education (IIE)-first Andrew Heiskell Award for innovative and model
internationalization. The Global Focus Program was an across the campus/curriculum/community focus on
a country or region of the world changing annually. The award was for the “Communities of Islam”, a
year-long program to learn about Islam, after 9/11.
Women’s leadership:
-Created the Institute for Women and Politics, expanded the Elsie Hillman Chair in Women and Politics;
Created the Center for Women and Entrepreneurship (Named the best Women’s Business Center in the US
in 2017; Created the Women’s Institute (2014/5) to continue strong focus on women’s leadership as
institution became coeducational.
Selected Press coverage of Chatham’s accomplishments :
 “Embracing Disruption,” Bill Campbell, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Currents, May/June 2016
 “Awarding Exceptional Board Service,” Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Trusteeship, March/April
2016
 The First 120 Days, What a New College President Must Do to Succeed, Panas, Jerold. January 2009.
References first year as President
 “Remaining the Province of Women,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Vol. 49, Issue 47, August, 2003
 “Back from the Brink: Combining tradition and innovations in a quest for revitalization,” Presidential
Essays: Success Stories, USA Group Foundation New Agenda Series, Vol. 2, #2, March 2000, pp. 21-30
 The Small College Guide to Financial Health: Beating the Odds. Michael Townsley, NACUBO, 2002, pp.
29-32
 “Five Boards that Lit a Spark,” AGB, Trusteeship, January/February 2001, pp. 29-32.
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SELECTED OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ROLES
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (ASHE), Steering Committee,
2016
Second Nature, Climate Leadership Network, Steering Committee, 2016
Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, reviewer; Accreditation Team Chair, 2014 and 1999
Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Steering Committee, 2007 to present
Project Pericles, Executive Committee, 2005 to present
Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), (part of IIE, the Institute for International
Education), Board Member 2003 to 2010 (National Board)
Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE), Chair, 1998-2000; member, 2001 to present
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Board Member, 1995 to 2000, and 2002-2005 (National Board)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Nat'l Div. IIT, Panel of Presidents, 2002 (National Board)
New College of the University of South Florida, Sarasota, Florida, Foundation Board Member, 1994 to
2005
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania (AICUP), 1994 to present; State
Chair, 2001
‘American Council on Education (ACE), 2010 to 2013, International Education Leadership Network, 2000
Women's College Coalition, Board and Executive Committee, 1994-1998 (National Board)
Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), 1994 to present; Board Chair, 1995-1997 (National Board)
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
* UniversityofPittsburgh Medical Center:Boardof Trustees, 1998 to 2015, during which time I served
variously on the Executive committee (16 years, the Committee on Community Health (cochair), and the
Executive Compensation Committee (9 years)
Dollar Bank, BoardofDirectors, 1996 to 2021 where I served at various times on the Executive, Audit, and
as Chair of Community Affairs Committee.
Allegheny Conference on Community Development from 2004-9 where I worked with the Task Force
on Young People, Higher Education Goals Committee)
OTHER SELECTED COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
ALCOSAN, Institute of Politics, Task Force to review and recommend on governanceofpublic water
facilities in multi county regionofPittsburgh, Committee Co-Chair
International Women’s Forum, Founding Pittsburgh Chapter Member
‘The Carnegie, Museum of Natural History, Board Member, Chair of the Nominating Committee, Search
‘Committee for Exec. Dir., Chair of Scientific Planning ‘Team of the Strategic Planning Committee
Mayor's Task Force on Pittsburgh Public Education
World Affairs Council, Board of Trustees
Historical Society ofWestern Pennsylvania, Board of Trustees; Presidential Search Committee
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Board of Trustees
Pittsburgh Symphony, Advisory Board, 1994 to 2004
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
“Forging the Future: Emerging Approaches for Independent Higher Education”, Keynote Panel, CIC
Presidents Institute, Miami Beach, Florida, January 5, 2016, presentation by group of presidents viewed
as leading exemplary transformative institutional change
“Using Trustees More Effectively in Fundraising’, Panelist, CIC Presidents Institute, San Diego, California,
January 7, 2015
“Renewable Energy and Eden Hall Campus”, Alternative Energy Panelist, Energy and Water 2013,
American Middle East Institute Renewable Energy, Pittsburgh, PA, October 29, 2013
“Engaging Universities in Co-Creation for Urban Sustainability”, International Sustainable Campus
Network Conference, National University of Singapore, Singapore, June 18-20, 2013
Vision Shared Certified Success: Competing in Today's Economy Workforce Summit, Keynote Address,
Wheeling, West Virginia, September 29, 2011
50th Founding Anniversary Keynote, New College, February 11, 2011
2010 Rachel Carson Legacy Award and Symposium on Biodiversity with E. 0. Wilson, May 27, 2010
“The Changing Landscape of Higher Education in the United States”, Keynote Speaker, 28th Conference
of Fulbright Executive Directors and State Department Representatives from Europe; Berlin, Germany,
May 11, 2010
 “Internationalizing Your Campus: Using the Fulbright Scholar Program to Lead the Way”, CIC
Presidents Institute, Marco Island, Fla.
A Second Presidency at the Same Institution”, CIC Presidents Institute, Tucson, AZ, January 6, 2007
“Against All Odds: Renewing Pittsburgh Through Education”, Keynote, 19th Annual St. Barnabas CEO
Leadership Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, September 12, 2005
“Status of Women in Southwestern Pennsylvania”, Keynote, National Councilof Jewish Women,
Pittsburgh PA, September 7, 2005
“Leadership Challenges: Turning Around Institutions by Strengthening Academic Quality”, Keynote, CIC,
Savannah, GA, November 4, 2003
Fatima Jinnah Women’s University Commencement Address to first graduating class, Rawalpindi,
Pakistan, September 2001
‘Seoul Women’s University Commencement Address, Seoul Korea, 2000
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Presidents’ Panel on Women and
Philanthropy, April 13, 2000
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND INTERVIEWS
= Op-ed pieces in the “Sarasota Herald Tribune” on the controversies related to New College in Sarasota,
Florida, (Feb 2, 2023; June 15, 2023; August 9, 2023)
On Leadership Interview, Transformative change in higher education, “The Chronicle of Higher
Education”, September 21, 2015 http://chronicle.com/article/A-Women-s-College-Goes-Coed/233353/
3Integrating Sustainability throughout an Institution: Eden Hall Campus and the School of Sustainability
and the Environment, Hassenzahl, D.M., Mehling, M. and Barazzone, E. (2013). In Leal, W. (Ed).
Sustainable Development at Universities: New Horizons. Peter Lang Scientific Publishers
Pittsburgh Today & Tomorrow’, Pittsburgh Quarterly, Spring 2011, p 45
Our Region’s Business, KDKA TV Interview with Bill Flanagan, January 27, 2011
“A touch of Eden: Chatham University is turning donated farm into model of sustainability”, Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, Saturday, May 30, 2009
Pop Star: Esther Barazzone. Pop City Media, Wednesday, October 21, 2009
“Room to Grow ~ Chatham University has experienced leaders to plan the developmentofthe new 388-
acre Eden Hall Campus’, Pittsburgh Professional Magazine, November 2008, pp. 26-35
“College presidents’ tenure grows: Report says leaders of nation’s colleges holding jobs longer than any
time since the mid '80s", Bill Schackner, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Monday, February 12, 2007
 “Report of the Task Force on Young People”, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Nov.,
2002, www.alleghenyconference.org/public/cfm/library/Reports/PrelimReport_YoungPeople.pdf
“Let's make some noise about Rachel Carson’, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 24 2002, p E-4
“Back From The Brink: Combining tradition and innovations in a quest for revitalization”, Presidential
Essavs:SuccessStories, USAGroup Foundation New Agenda Series™, Vol. 2, No. 2, March 2000, pp. 21-
30
‘Neesima Memorial Lectures, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan; Doshisha Women's College, Tanabe
Campus, Kyotanabe-shi, Japan; (published Doshisha University) Included: "Women Studying: The
Politics of Educating Women,”"Studying Women: Internationalizing Women’s Studies,” Delivered April,
10 and 11, 1999
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS/TRAVELS
= International Sustainable Campus Network Conference, only North American institution to receive a
‘Sustainable Campus Excellence Award, Singapore, June 2013
World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities, Rio+20 United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, Brazil, June 2012
Pittsburgh Middle East Institute, Delegation to Oman, April 2010
Institute of International Education, Delegation to India, February 2010
Education Without Borders, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, March 2009
Institute of International Education, Delegation to Southeast Asia, June 2008
DAAD: Germany Today, June 2007
World Affairs Council US Delegation to Egypt, February 2005
German Marshal Fund, Pittsburgh Delegation to Turin, Italy and Lyon, France, June 2004
Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, International delegation to Northern Ireland to create academic
exchanges, 2000
United Nations Women’s Conference in Beijing, China, head of delegation of students and faculty from
US women’s colleges, 1995
Other travels to Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Namibia, Guatemala, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, India, Pakistan,
Japan, Korea, Dubai. Led many Chatham alumni/friends delegations
HONORS AND AWARDS
= Featured in “A Woman's Place”—current exhibit of “History-Making Women” in Pittsburgh at Senator
John Heinz History Center, Spring 2024
 “Esther L Barazzone Center”, Main building on new Eden Hall Campus, named by Chatham Board of
Trustees, 2016
Rachel Carson Award, Chatham University, Commencement 2016
“Esther L. Barazzone Day” in City of Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County, April 26, 2016
Lifetime Achievement Award, as a “Most Admired CEO", Pittsburgh Business Times, 2016
Association of Governing Boards John Nason Award to Board and President for “exemplary institutional
governance and courage, especially in challenging times”, 2016
The National Diversity Council's Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, 2015
Pittsburgh Business Times Diamond Award, 2012
Diversity Recognition Award, Turkish Cultural Center, 2011
History Maker in Education, John Heinz History Center, 2006
Italian American Personofthe Year, 2005
Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Outstanding Leadership for Peace and Humanitarianism, from Morehouse
College, 2004
Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, 2001
University Medal, from Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, 2001
Honorary Doctorate, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul, Korea, February, 2000
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Doshisha Women’s College, Kyoto Japan, 1999
‘Susan B. Anthony Leadership Award, Women’s Leadership Assembly, 1999
Listed in many Who'sWhoeditions, including Who's Who in America
PERSONAL
Married to Sam Black, attorney. We have 5 adult children, enjoy traveling, cooking and the arts. I speak
Spanish and collect Japanese prints.
(Resume 2024)
 Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Esther Barazzone
Dr. Esther Barazzone is an experienced educator and administrator with
years of experience in managing educational institutions and universities.
She recently served as the President of Chatham University.