Melissa L. Gilliam: A Trailblazing Leader in Academia and Adolescent Health

Melissa L. Gilliam is an accomplished American doctor, educator, scholar, research scientist, and physician. Known for her work in adolescent health and higher education leadership, Gilliam's career has been marked by a commitment to service, diversity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She will assume the role of Boston University's 11th president in July 2024, succeeding Robert A. Brown.

Early Life and Education

Born in Washington, D.C., Melissa Gilliam grew up in a culturally and economically diverse neighborhood, surrounded by artists, writers, and politicians. Her mother, Dorothy Gilliam, was a groundbreaking journalist at The Washington Post, and her father, Sam Gilliam, was a renowned abstract painter. This upbringing instilled in her a strong humanitarian focus and an appreciation for the arts and culture.

Gilliam's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Yale University. She then pursued a Master of Arts in philosophy and politics from the University of Oxford in England. Later, she earned her medical degree from Harvard University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago. She completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Chicago and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University.

Career Highlights

Early Career and Research Focus

Dr. Gilliam's interest in medicine and societal challenges started in her adolescence. As she grew up she worried about issues like war and incarceration levels. She was in her early 20s when she found herself at a crossroads majoring in English at Yale, while finishing her premedical course obligations. Following a degree in public health, she chose to pursue an academic medical career focused on healing not just people-but society at large. With guidance from her parents, she realized she didn’t have to abandon one path to choose another.

Gilliam's research focuses on adolescent health and education, both domestically and internationally. She uses various methods, including narrative, technology, and design, to study and develop interventions to promote adolescent well-being. She has led clinical trials, authored or coauthored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and conducted research in the US and abroad.

University of Chicago

Dr. Gilliam joined the University of Chicago in 2005, eventually becoming the chief of family planning and contraceptive research and head of the program in gynecology for children, adolescents, and young women at the University of Chicago Medical Center. In 2012, she founded the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ci3) at the University of Chicago. Ci3 is an interdisciplinary research center using games, narrative, and design to promote the health and well-being of young people. In the game design lab, Gilliam used video games and digital storytelling to discuss sexual violence prevention in a "safe risk taking" manner.

In 2016, Gilliam was appointed as vice provost for academic leadership, advancement, and diversity. As vice provost, she developed and led the university’s faculty development and hiring programs, while creating new diversity and inclusion efforts, fellowship programs, toolkits, and workshops. In 2020, she was given the title of Ellen H. Block Distinguished Service Professor of Health Justice.

Ohio State University

In August 2021, Dr. Gilliam moved to Ohio State University, where she served as the Executive Vice President and Provost. In this role, she became the first woman of color to serve as provost, leading the educational mission of one of the largest and most comprehensive universities in the country as its chief academic officer. She oversaw the Office of Academic Affairs, including undergraduate education, graduate education, international affairs, diversity and inclusion, external engagement, online learning, and information technology.

Boston University

In October 2023, Boston University announced that Dr. Gilliam would become its 11th president, beginning July 2024. Her appointment followed a year-long search that yielded nearly 400 potential candidates from around the world. Gilliam's experience in both private and public university settings, as well as her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and student success, made her an ideal choice for the role.

Gilliam's interest in Boston University is clear: “I’m really excited about how engaged Boston University is in the city and how engagement has been a hallmark of BU,” Gilliam tells BU Today. “I’m looking forward to hearing from people, learning and listening. I lead by listening, collaborating, and empowering other people. That is the best way to run big organizations, to get everyone excited and engaged, and doing more than they think they’re capable of doing.

Leadership Style and Vision

Gilliam is known for her collaborative and empowering leadership style. She emphasizes listening, learning, and engaging with diverse perspectives. She believes in empowering others to exceed their perceived capabilities and fostering a sense of excitement and engagement within organizations.

Her approach to leadership is that of a consensus builder. Although she has never led an institution as its president, Gilliam says that at every stop throughout her career, she always had one eye on the rung just above hers, learning from her leaders. She credits Robert Zimmer, the president of the University of Chicago from 2006 to 2021, for being the mentor who suggested she consider pivoting from research and medicine into higher education leadership.

Contributions to Adolescent Health

Dr. Gilliam's research has significantly contributed to the understanding of adolescent health issues, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health. She led a number of biomedical studies, driven by a desire to gain a firmer grasp on the systems that lead to initial and then repeat adolescent pregnancy. Gilliam continued to seek greater impact. “We weren’t understanding the lives of young people,” she says. “We were writing prescriptions, we were not listening, we were not walking in their shoes.”

Her work at the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ci3) has focused on using innovative methods, such as games and digital storytelling, to promote the health and well-being of young people. She is particularly interested in addressing the societal challenges associated with teen pregnancy and reducing the shame and blame often associated with it.

Memberships and Awards

Dr. Gilliam is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, American Gynecological Club, and American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee Service Award and the Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Award. Additionally, she was included in the Newsweek/Daily Beast list of "Women in the World: 125 Women of Impact" and was voted by her peers as among the Best Doctors in America from 2007 to 2014.

Personal Life

Melissa Gilliam is married to William Grobman, who is also a doctor and researcher.

Publications

Dr. Gilliam has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on adolescent health, contraception, and reproductive health. Some of her notable publications include:

"The likelihood of placenta previa with greater number of cesarean deliveries and higher parity"
"Cesarean Delivery on Request: Reproductive Consequences"
"Interventions Using New Digital Media to Improve Adolescent Sexual Health: A Systematic Review"
Numerous other publications covering a range of topics related to reproductive health, contraception, and adolescent well-being.

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