Fox Transitions From 20-Year Transformational Career

In two decades of leading Mary Baldwin University, Dr. Pamela R. Fox has overseen changes that propelled the institution into the future.

Dr. Pamela R. FoxPhoto Courtesy of Mary Baldwin UniversityAs Fox heads into her next chapter, she leaves Mary Baldwin as its longest-serving president in 100 years and its most transformational. Among her many achievements during her 20 years at the university are overseeing the transition from a women’s college to a co-ed university and launching a new college for healthcare professionals. For her many accomplishments, the Virginia General Assembly formally honored her in February.

Fox said there are many details that go into an orderly transition. Her last official day is June 30, but she anticipates she will be actively consulting for several months. “It’s [an] optimal time for new leadership,” said Fox.

Fox describes herself as an idea generator. When she arrived at Mary Baldwin, her vision included getting to know the community, elevating existing programs, and supporting the school’s diversity and inclusivity. She took her first year to formulate her vision.

“I called it ‘Composing Our Future’ from my musical background,” said Fox, who is a pianist and musicologist. “It was really to lift up, determine where investment was needed, begin to raise funds to do that. My vision was to elevate the excellence of the institution that I came to lead.”

That vision evolved over the years. Her job involved considering what was ahead and what was possible.

Music fuels her thought process in many ways. She said she knows she is going to compose a whole piece as well as conceive its parts and notes she has never generated a vision based upon a financial constraint. Mary Baldwin is not a wealthy institution, but Fox said she believes in the power of ideas and loves to raise money.